Cook Islands

[u07ch]

Hi Everybody.

The new intercontinental hotel on Lifou in New Caledonia is likely going to be delayed to open so my two weeks are open again.

I’m thinking of going to the Cook Islands. I am a huge fan of French Polynesia but haven’t been to Cook Islands before and they look similar.
After some research I thinking of going to Aitutaki for 5 days and 2/3 days on Rarotonga. Is that a sensible split (I want to spend my time on/under the water.)

On Aitutaki I thinking of staying at the Pacific Resort; if you have stayed interested in comments / alternatives
Does anyone have any recommendations for a hotel for a couple of nights on Rarotonga?

Many Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[Whisper2]

We’ve done the Raratonga twice (15 years apart) – it was beautiful. We stayed at Palm Grove which is very small and quiet and just what we wanted. It was great 15 years later too. It has a lovely quiet bit of beach.

We have only done Aitutaki once for a day trip and it was spectacular. The lagoon makes all the pictures look a bit average, the colour of the water and sand are stunning. Some great snorkelling too. I can’t offer an Aitutaki accommodation advice, but we said that if we got a chance to go back to Raratonga we would stay a few nights on Aitutaki.

[Amy C]

I went to Rarotonga for 5 days in 2008 and loved it, although it rained a lot. Wish I’d explored Aitutaki as others I met said it was gorgeous. I was back packing so no idea about resorts but just want to say I’m jealous. Would love to go back and see more of the South Pacific. It’s just so damn far.

[u07ch]

Thanks for the replies; sounds like Aitutaki makes for a good break. It certainly ticks my remote destination for a holiday requirement.

[YC]

Any preferences between Fiji / Cook Islands / Bora Bora?

[u07ch]

If the question is for me; I haven’t been to the Cook Islands so can’t rate. Lifou looks to be similar to a number of FP atols; like a mini Rangiroa maybe. I generally want to be in or under the water; after that I value quiet locations and have a big preference for small hotels; that said I have enjoyed exploring waterfalls in Tahiti.

Been to Fiji and several islands and all over FP. I prefer FP for the better snorkelling and diving (unlike Maldives the coral is often alive in FP.) I think the views in FP can be better than Fiji; and the water colour is better. Went to Six Senses Fiji last October and the hotel was excellent; the reef was recovering nicely from the cyclone a few years back but there weren’t a lot of fish. (Though if you like diving there was an excellent Shark dive.) If you are looking at Fiji; definitely go to an island rather than stay in Denarau.

If you are looking for yourself I would suggested you check out the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia as an alternative to both; you can split between Noumea which is a French city with a huge beach like Miami or Tel Aviv and IDP which is heaven.

[YC]

Thank you – this is helpful comparison. FP has always been on my list but flights on points is fairly challenging!

[LD27]

We visited Cook Islands, Fiji and Tonga between 5 and 10 years ago all from NZ or Australia. Would love to go back, but not easy and time consuming to get to from UK. All island groups have different things to offer. There was the odd hotel which was luxurious but that was not what we were looking for as on each occasion we wanted to experience different islands/resorts.

Rarotonga and Aitutaki are the most visited Cook Islands. Need to fly between the two. We spend only one night on Aitutaki (much smaller and quieter) but wished we had stayed longer. Stunning sandy white beaches and blue lagoons.

Fiji Is. We stayed just before major storm. In Suva and Nadi stayed in IHG hotels which had pools. Highlight was using the Yasawa flyer to travel along the Mamanuca Islands. We loved the experience. Some had better beaches/hotels than others. Some more back packing islands. But we loved them all in different ways.

Have no idea what the current situation is in Tonga. Beaches were mainly volcanic. Few tourists, no chain hotels, was very laid back and we found it very relaxing. Stayed a couple of nights in a beautiful beach hotel on a very small island just off coast from Tongatapu which I would have recommended. Sadly I think the island no longer exists.

If you want luxury, apart from Six Senses, Fiji I think you would need to go to FP. Also check cyclone season before deciding on dates.

Simple life or luxury, you will have an amazing time.