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Cook Islands Accommodation Guide
Cook Islands accommodation is generally low key with only three of the ten classified resorts having over 50 rooms and none being taller than the surrounding coconut trees. However, there are almost 40 small self catering beach bungalow properties and private vacation homes around the islands to choose from making the decision of where to stay a tricky one.
The only two islands with a good choice of accommodation are Rarotonga, the main island and location of the International airport, and Aitutaki Lagoon, a 45-minute flight to the north. Most places to stay on Rarotonga and Aitutaki are small properties. There are a couple of large resorts with over 100 rooms and a handful of small boutique resorts, mostly with open plan bungalow living. There are more than twenty self-catering bungalows to choose from around Rarotonga and at least a dozen more private holiday homes for rent and several good backpacker hostels.
Rarotonga Island
Rarotonga is small (41 sq. km) and very easy to get about so it doesn't really matter where you stay if you are interested in seeing the sites. The Polynesian island is surrounded by a fringing reef with lush tropical mountains rising into two central rugged peaks. Most tourist properties on Rarotonga sit alongside the quaint coastal road, the majority beachfront, but a few on the mountain side of the road. Family homes bordered with tropical flowers and impressive churches are spread out along the coast with the main settlement and administrative centre of Arutanga in the north. Apart from the north east coast, Rarotonga is lined by sandy beaches with shallow rocky lagoons that in places are good for snorkelling, particularly off the south coast. Four small uninhabited islands lie off Muri Lagoon on the south east coast creating a sandy and protected lagoon good for swimming and watersports. The main town of Avarua lies on the north coast with two good harbours and the airport.
Aitutaki Island
Aitutaki Lagoon, 45 minutes flight to the north, is a stunning lagoon island with a truly laid back Polynesian lifestyle. Aitutaki offers a dozen or so places to stay, from the most luxurious Cook Islands hotel to simple budget beach bungalows. Almost all hotels and bungalows are on the main island of Aitutaki, and most of these are along the west coast where the beaches and swimming are at their best. The uninhabited islands on the edge of Aitutaki Lagoon have the best palm fringed beaches in the Cook Islands and can be visited on day cruises or charter water taxis. The only place to stay on the uninhabited islands is at Maroro on Akaiami Island which was the Cook Islands base for the 1950's Teal flying boats coral route.
Quick Guide - Which Island?
INTEREST
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| Proximity to Raro Airport |
road =
5-30min |
air = 45min |
air = 45min |
| Sunshine |
good |
excellent |
good |
| Choice of Accommodation |
the best |
excellent |
average |
| Restaurants & Bars |
the best |
good |
poor |
| Tours & Sightseeing |
excellent |
the best |
excellent |
| Beaches |
excellent |
excellent |
average |
| Uninhabited Islands |
average |
excellent |
poor |
| Weddings |
excellent |
good |
poor |
| Romantic Holidays |
excellent |
excellent |
average |
| Family Holidays |
excellent |
good |
average |
| Backpacking |
good |
average |
average |
| Water Sports |
average |
average |
poor |
| Snorkelling |
good |
good |
poor |
| Scuba Diving |
average |
good |
poor |
| Surfing |
average |
poor |
poor |
| Game Fishing |
good |
good |
poor |
| Sailing |
poor |
poor |
poor |
| Golf |
poor |
poor |
poor |
| Hiking |
the best |
average |
average |
| Village Visits |
average |
average |
good |
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