What is so special about the Cook Islands?

We've been to the Cook Islands 7 times over the last two decades. We've stayed on the islands for a week as well as cruising where we stay for a day on one island. The gem is Aitutaki ... in particular the lagoon. I call it the poor man's Bora Bora. The lagoon on Aitutaki is as stunning as Bora Bora minus the beautiful backdrop of Mount Otemanu. The multi hued waters, the tiny motus ... it all there.

Rarotonga is nice but it isn't the gem that Aitutaki is. Muri Beach on Rarotonga is nice but not much snorkeling, not like Aitutaki or the islands of French Polynesia. If you visit the Cook Islands get yourself as soon as possible to Aitutaki. The flight from Rarotonga to Aitutaki takes only 40 minutes. There are no major resorts ... yes there are some large boutique places but no real large resorts on Aitutaki. Rarotonga has more of the 'resort' feel. Over the coming weeks/months I'll add individual blog posts on where to stay on Aitutaki and the best lagoon vendor to book.

When cruising to Aitutaki or Rarotonga there is no marina for the ship to tie off to and the water goes down quickly as you get away from the island ... thus no anchoring. Ships actually free float in the water, no mooring ... nothing. So ... if the weather is a bit iffy it is hard for the ship to tender. I've been on ships when the weather was iffy and the up/down difference between the tender platform on the ship and the tender was at least 4 feet, maybe a bit more. This takes a very skilled crew to get you on and off the tender ... In my 4 trips to Aitutaki via ship once we were not able to tender and once it was really touch and go but my group managed to get off the ship and we enjoyed the beautiful lagoon of Aitutaki.

Over the coming weeks/months I'll add to the blog post for the Cook Islands.