Just a mere six-hour flight from Sydney into the heart of the South Pacific lies the idyllic tropical holiday you’ve been dreaming of.
Cook Islands, a collection of 15 stunning and diverse isles scattered across two million square kilometres of ocean, promises something special and unique to travellers.
The most popular islands for holidaymakers are Rarotonga and Aitutaki, both known for pleasant weather all year round, palm tree fringed beaches, turquoise blue lagoons, incredible sunsets, and a true Polynesian culture. In saying this, the two islands do have a very different pace. Rarotonga may only be 32 kilometres around but it’s brimming with activities and things to do for days while Aitutaki moves at a slower speed, focusing on relaxed lagoon cruises and secluded strolls on the beach.
Rarotonga, where all flights land, is like one big resort offering a wide variety of accommodation, the choice of exciting water and land-based tours, and more than 100 bars and restaurants.
No matter where you stay on Rarotonga, you’ll be close enough to the action and getting around is too easy. Hire a car, hop on a scooter, ride a bicycle or ebike, jump on the clockwise or anti-clockwise bus, or book in a transfer service through your hotel – the options are ample.
So, with everything extremely accessible, you can imagine that when choosing where to stay in Rarotonga, it’s really more about your budget and taste over where the property is located.
Nearly all accommodation options are on the water’s edge with a choice between adults-only or family friendly self-contained villas, full-service resorts, holiday apartments, and more. Budget and service-wise, you can find anything from a 2 to 5-star rating priced from NZ$$99 per night. There’s really something for everyone.
When you’re not relaxing by the pool at your beautiful resort or sipping cocktails from your villa’s balcony, you could be discovering Rarotonga’s crystal-clear lagoon teaming with tropical fish and turtles or the island’s jungle and mountain tracks.
And if you have your sights set on exploring the world’s most beautiful lagoon, you can even hop on a 50-minute flight to Aitutaki for a day tour or a few nights’ stay.
Aitutaki offers an incredibly romantic setting for honeymooners and couples – so much so you’ll find that most accommodation on the island is adults-only with just a few taking older children 12 years and over.
Here, it’s really all about being with your companion experiencing the pristine lagoon on a variety of tours or taking a kayak right from shore, to moving on to sunset cocktails before an island night or intimate dinner for two.
Not only does Cook Islands promise the stunning tropical holiday you’ve anticipated, but the island nation has also created an actual ‘Cook Islands Promise’ in response to COVID-19.
A joint commitment from locals and tourists, the Cook Islands Promise is in place to safeguard the health of everyone on the island by using the CookSafe contact tracing app, exercising pragmatic physical distancing, and businesses following comprehensive hygiene practices.
This Cook Islands Promise lends itself to the ‘no worries’ vacation the islands have always been known for. So, to all travellers searching for their next international holiday destination, look no further than the breathtaking Cook Islands, where relaxation meets adventure, accommodation exceeds expectations, and the genuine Polynesian culture leaves everyone beaming with joy.
To learn more about the border opening, visit www.cookislands.travel or sign up for the Cook Islands Tourism newsletter.
Would you like to visit Cook Islands? Or have you already been? If so, how was it?
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https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/travel/cook-islands-tourism-releases-cool-virtual-travel-planning-tool
https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/travel/destinations/australia/south-australia/aussie-island-named-worlds-best
https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/travel/destinations/are-these-the-best-countries-in-the-world
