Cook Islands

Largely unspoiled by tourism. The Cooks offer a rare opportunity to experience a different type of vacation. There are no high-rise hotels, only four beach buggies and very little hype. Ideal for travellers seeking more than the usual clichés associated with the South Seas, each of the 15 islands has a unique quality and offers a special experience.

Understanding The Geography

The Cook Islands are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. The 15 small islands in this South Pacific Ocean country have a total land area of 240 square kilometres (92.7 sq. mi).

The Cook Islands are in the South Pacific Ocean, north-east of New Zealand, between French Polynesia and Fiji. There are fifteen major islands, spread over 2.2 million square kilometres of ocean, divided into two distinct groups: the Southern Cook Islands, and the Northern Cook Islands of coral atolls.

The islands were formed by volcanic activity; the northern group is older and consists of six atolls (sunken volcanoes topped by coral growth).

The 15 islands are grouped as follows:

High Cook Islands

• Aitutaki
• Atiu (Enua-Manu or Island of Birds)
• Mangaia
• Mauke
• Rarotonga (with capital, Avarua)

Low islands of the Southern group

• Manuae
• Mitiaro
• Takutea

Northern Cook Islands

• Manihiki
• Nassau
• Palmerston Island
• Penrhyn Island also known as Tongareva
• Pukapuka
• Rakahanga
• Suwarrow also called Suvorov

Climate Conditions

The Cook Islands weather is typically tropical. Summer, between December and April, is hotter and more humid with a higher rainfall and the risk of tropical storms. Winter is between May and November and is cooler and drier. Aitutaki and the northern islands are noticeably warmer than the main island of Rarotonga. Rarotonga is a volcanic island and accumulates cloud around its mountain peaks. Mangaia in the south is the coolest island and a light sweater may be needed at nights and early mornings.