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Cook Islands Travel & Tours

	Pacific Resorts Aitutaki Lagoon - Cook Islands

Kia Orana!  

This is a greeting in the Cook Islands, where you can extend a hand or share the Kia Orana Spirit with a smile!

To us - it is our local way of welcoming you to our islands, we want you to experience our culture, and traditions first hand. Nowhere can you feel so naturally at one with the island way of life.

Learn of our arts and crafts at the market or at the cultural center or just walking down the street in Avarua.

This is the magic of the Cook Islands - where we experienced the magic trekking through rainforests and snorkeling in the beautiful waters of Rarotonga and Aitutaki, or shopping for a pareo in the open air market, this is the Cook Islands magic.

Links to Recommended Cook Islands Information, Resorts & Hotels

• Complete Cook Island Travel Website
  a complete website devoted to travel to the Cook Islands
• Special Places
  See our recommended Cook Islands & South Pacific Resorts we think are extra special
• Resort Finder Search
  Search for resorts based on your likes and requirements
• Cook Islands Resorts & Hotels
  list of Cook Islands resorts with our recommended resorts, featured resorts and those with specials indicated. Links to detailed information for each resort.

Cook Islands Travel & Tours

These are the delights of a very visual and cultural diverse people that give you a sense of stepping back in to a simpler way of life! So step back and see the what the beautiful islands of the Cooks have to offer.

The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over some 2 million square km of the South Pacific Ocean.

They lie in the South Pacific Polynesian Triangle, flanked to the west by the Kingdom of Tonga and the Samoa's and to the east by Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia.   The Cook Islands are in the same time zone as Hawaii and are the same distance South of the equator as Hawaii is north.

 

About the Cook Islands

	Rarotongan Beach Resort - Cook Islands

The Cook Islands relaxed tranquil way of life is matched only by the people themselves. Their smiles are warm and spontaneous, their dancing is joyful and exuberant, and the general mood of the islands relaxed.

Although now Christian, they have retained much of the culture and Polynesian identity that can be observed in their arts and crafts, dance and drama.

The first settlers to the Cook Islands set foot in the sand around 800AD during the Great Polynesian Migration which began in 1500BC. The people where of Polynesian decent, and in the 11th century a chief named Toi built the first coral road in Rarotonga, lying island, called the Ara Metua.

Two centuries later the great chiefs Tangiia Nui from Tahiti and Karika from Samoa met and joined forces at sea to take over the earlier settlers. Captain James Cook, for whom the group was eventually named, sighted Manuae atoll in 1773. One year later, he discovered Palmerton,Takutea, Mangia and Atiu the outer islands of the Cooks.

The ill fated Captain William Bligh sighted Aitutaki in 1789 and mutineer Fletcher Christian, first claimed Rarotonga, shortly after the famous mutiny on April 28, 1789. Rarotonga's official discovery is credited to Captain Philip Goodenough in The Cumberland in 1814 while seeking sandalwood.

The two main islands are Rarotonga and Aitutaki. There are several resort options on both islands, and regular air service between them. Rarotonga is the largest and most populated of the islands, while Aitutaki is a nice relaxing escape. Check out our Rarotonga Resorts and Aitutaki Resorts.

Why visit the Cook Islands?

Are you seeking... Beautiful, white sand beaches? Tranquil aquamarine lagoons? Swaying palm trees? Adventurous activities?		The Cook Islands truly deliver! Visit our Cook Islands Resorts & Cook Islands Hotels page to find the right place for you. Visit our Cook Islands Travel Packages and Vacation Packages section for our unique travel packages, honeymoon packages and wedding packages.
Looking for a unique Honeymoon?		Visit our Cook Islands Honeymoons section, which outlines what makes the Cook Islands a great honeymoon destination.
Do you want to get married in paradise?		Visit our Cook Islands Weddings section.
Looking for some action?		Check out our Cook Islands Activities page and our Cook Islands Diving section.
Do you want to learn a bit more about the Cook Islands?		Check out our Cook Islands Travel Information section.
Whatever your desires, let us help you make your Cook Islands dream a reality. Contact your Cook Islands Travel Specialist today!