The Cook Islands is a self-governing, 15 island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand.

Cook Islanders are citizens of New Zealand, but they also have the status of Cook Islands nationals, which is not given to other New Zealand citizens.

The Cook Islands' main population centres are on the island of Rarotonga, where there is an international airport.

The Cook Islands have long attracted adventure travellers lured by crystal clear sea, a rich underwater life and the strong Polynesian culture.

Over 99 percent of the Cook Islands economic zone consists of water, with 1.9 million km² of atolls, volcanic limestone and chalky white sand islands.

It is home to 130 different types of coral, 600 fish species and many endangered turtles.

In addition, endangered reef sharks, whales and dolphins thrive.

From July 2017, this oasis was protected under the Marae Moana- the name of the archipelago marine park.

This is the largest initiative taken by a single country to manage and safeguard the conservation of the water's vulnerable ecosystem.

The Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (CITIC) has recently launched the Mana Tiaki Eco Certification project, which serves as a way for visitors to recognise businesses that are working on protecting the environment so they can choose options that minimise the environmental effect their visit will have.

Explore the islands

Green mountains characterise Rarotonga, the archipelago's largest island, although inland it is relatively flat and easy to explore on two wheels.

The Storytellers Eco Cycle Tour guides take visitors on a ride through sleepy villages and into the jungle.

There are also jeep safari tours, that offer an exciting half day adventure into the interior of the island of Rarotonga, or the adrenalin fuelled, and very muddy, buggy tours.

For hikers there is the 'Cross Island' trek on Rarotongaither self-guided or with traditional medicine man 'Pa'.

There are a number of different cruising and boating tours that enable visitors to explore the Cook Islands

For a more adventurous tour of the waters, there are diving, snorkelling, SUP and sea-scooter tours.

Authentic Polynesia

Cook Islanders are hugely proud of their Polynesian heritage and are keen to share this with visitors.

Ancient Cook Islands Polynesian cultures can be experienced in everyday life on the islands.

Beaches

Lined with palm trees and framed with bright blue skies, the unspoilt white sand beaches provide a tropical landscape, and the beaches in the Cook Islands are regularly voted the most beautiful in the world.

Useful links

​ www.cookislands.travel