A Paradise Destination

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The traditional greeting in the Cook Islands is 'Kia Orana', which means 'may you live long' - pronounced "Key-yah + Oh-ra-nah", and the appropriate response back to this is by the way, in the same manner with the words 'Kia Orana'.

 
 October 2011 trek up Te Rua Manga (The Needle) - Rarotonga (YouTube Video)

KIA ORANA AND WELCOME TO THE BEAUTIFUL COOK ISLANDS

Nestled in the South-West Pacific Ocean are the "Jewels of the Pacific", fifteen tiny islands named after Captain James Cook, called the Cook Islands. They cover a total land area of about 240sq km, and spreading over more than 2 million sq kms. The Cook Islands is a well known brand name, and this guide will help you explore what these islands have to offer. They present a very relaxing atmosphere, friendly locals who make you feel at home. 

The cooler months are from May through to October, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 27°C; while the warmer months are from November through to April with temperatures ranging from 26 to 30°C. Most of the rainfall occurs during the warmer summer months. 

The Cook Islands  believe it or not, is in the same time zone as Hawaii, the climate is very much the same.

Rarotonga is the port where all flights depart and arrive from New Zealand; Tahiti; and Los Angeles, USA, and of course the direct Sydney to Rarotonga flights.

Left Pic - Punanga Nui Market
RAROTONGA MAP
 
Find your way around Rarotonga before you even get there. Accommodations, Cafes & Restaurants, Post Office, Banks, Car and Bike Hires...etc.

Dont forget to head to the Punanga Nui Market on a Saturday morning where local dance groups strut their stuffs and be entertained, so bring along your camera or video cam to capture an unforgettable holiday in Paradise. There are food stalls with so many variety of dishes, clothing stalls, artifacts, and carvings, and so many other stalls where you can choose an item that is of interest to take home as a souvenir... Videos @ Jesse2Evans

DISTANCE BETWEEN -

Rarotonga and Sydney, Australia: 4933 kilometers / 3065 miles / 2664 nautical miles

Rarotonga and Los Angeles: 7570 kilometers / 4704 miles / 4088 nautical miles

Rarotonga and Melbourne: 5528 kilometers / 3435 miles / 2985 nautical miles

LEARN COOK ISLANDS MAORI

Learning Cook Islands Maori doesn't have to be difficult, it should be a breeze. The Maoate family have created a website for those wishing to learn the reo Kuki Airani, the Cook Islands Language, or maybe you just want to learn some basic words which you can use when traveling to the Cook Islands on your next trip.

FLIGHTS TO THE COOK ISLANDS

Air New Zealand: Flights from New Zealand to  the Cook Islands

Air New Zealand: Direct flights from Los Angeles to the Cook Islands.

Air Tahiti: Operates a Thursday flight between Tahiti and Rarotonga.

FLIGHTS FROM AUSTRALIA TO AUCKLAND

Air New Zealand: Flights from Australia- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,  Gold Coast, Adelaide, Cairns,  Perth, (to Auckland)

Emirates Flights from Australia:  Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney,  (to Auckland)

Virgin Australia Flights from Australia:  Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney,  (To the Cook Islands via Auckland)

AIR RAROTONGA FLIGHTS TO THE OUTER ISLANDS IN THE COOK ISLANDS

Air Rarotonga 

Operates flights from  Rarotonga to Mangaia, Aitutaki,  Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke, Penrhyn,  Manihiki, Pukapuka  and Tahiti.

Air Rarotonga Timetable: Plan your trips  to the outer islands within the  Cook Islands Groups.


PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS

The Suwarrow Expedition Dates

 2012 date:
14th May - 28th May

2013 date:
13th May - 28th May

2014 date:
12th May - 27th May
 

Te Vara Nui Village - October 2012 Rarotonga
 

THE COOK ISLANDS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS

The Northern Group is made up of five atolls and one sand-cay:

Penrhyn

Manihiki

Pukapuka

Rakahanga

Suwarrow

Nassau

The Southern Group has the volcanic island of Rarotonga; (four raised-reef islands, Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro); an almost-atoll Aitutaki; two atolls Manuae and Palmerston; and a sand-cay Takutea. Ninety percent of the land and the population are within the Southern Groups, and there's approximately 700km distance between the two groups:

Rarotonga

Aitutaki

Mangaia

Mitiaro

Mauke

Atiu

Manuae

Takutea

Palmerston

John Roberts love of the Cook Islands led him to create a website called (www.cookislands.org.uk) promoting all the 15 islands.

Copyright © 2008-2011 Jesse Evans