Welcome to our necklace of islands in the sun. We extend a hand of friendship and invite you to share in the warmth of our hospitality.
The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over some 2 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean (see map). They lie in the centre of the Polynesian Triangle, flanked to the west by the Kingdom of Tonga and the Samoas and to the east by Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia. RAROTONGA
Rarotonga is the vibrant centre of the Cook Islands. Its circular shape is dominated by high mountain peaks from which lush rain forests cascade to a palm-fringed shore.
The island is almost completely encircled by a reef, which harbours a lagoon of clear turquoise waters and many inviting white sand beaches. Beyond the reef, the indigo blue of the ocean provides a vivid contrast and a bountiful supply of fish
We welcome our visitors at Rarotonga's International Airport. This is where most people choose to stay, with increasing interest being expressed for outer island excursions. You will find an excellent choice of accommodation sprinkled around the island's perimeter.
Avarua is the main town on the island and the commercial centre of the Cook Islands. During business hours it has a friendly, bustling atmosphere together with a good selection of shops, banks, cafes and visitor facilities. It is also the main port and host to many cruising yachts.
Rarotonga's Visitor Centre is located in downtown Avarua (see map). Visitors are made most welcome and can drop in for any information, souvenir clothing, or guidance between the hours of 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday; or on Saturday, from 9am till noon. Where is Muri Lagoon View Bungalows located?
Located on the Eastern side of the island, the Muri Lagoon View Bungalows are located hillside with partical ocean and lagoon views of Muri Beach and its offshore islands. Approximately 7mins walk from Muri Beach and 20mins to town and 25mins to the international and domestic airport.
AITUTAKI
A visit to the Cook Islands is not complete without seeing our beautiful island of Aitutaki. The breathtaking allure of its crystal clear turquoise waters and sparkling white beaches is an essential ingredient in any Cook Island holiday. This is a place of unsurpassed natural beauty and tranquillity, providing a simple tonic to sooth away the pressures of the outside world.
Aitutaki is 220 kilometres north of Rarotonga (see map) and less than an hour's flight away. It is partly volcanic and partly of atoll origin. Its highest hill, Maungapu is said to be the top of Rarotonga's Raemaru Peak, brought back by victorious warriors. The spectacular lagoon (45 kilometres around) is abundant with coloured fish of many varieties, its perimeter sprinkled with many small and charming uninhabited islands (motus). ATIU The island of Atiu is the third largest in the Cooks group , located 215 kilometres northeast of Rarotonga. It is part of the Southern group islands of the Cook Islands, with a landmass of 26.9 square kilometres. Atiu is a small volcanic island, with central elevated flat-topped mass of volcanic rock incised by sharp edged gullies and surrounded by a raised coral limestone reef called a Makatea. The makatea runs around the island ranging in width from anywhere between 50 to 100 metres. Low cliffs, 3 to 6 metres high surround the island, but there are many recesses in which small sandy coves are found. There are limestone caves all over the makatea and some are used as ancient burial sites. Atiu is part of the Ngaputoru (three roots) group. The three roots consisting of Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro. The fertile interior is farmed for coffee and pineapple. Atiu is famous for its cave dwelling Kopeka (Atiu swiftlet) bird and Tumunu bush beer parties MANGAIA The island of Mangaia is the southernmost and the second largest of the Cook Islands. The oldest island of the group, renowned for its 'ei pupu' (shell leis). It is approximately 176km south east of Rarotonga. Believed to be about 19 million years old, Mangaia is a raised atoll surrounded by layers (from 2 to 6 layers in several places) of jagged limestone coral known as Makatea. The makatea in some places are 60 metres high and about a kilometre wide. Numerous trees, shrubs and plants grow between the coral limestone forming as a result the makatea forest that surrounds the exterior of the island. Linked to a running stream in the valley is a brackish water lake formed against a makatea cliff. Numerous limestone caves are scattered throughout the makatea forest some of which have been used as ancient burial sites.
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