30 Really Amazing Things to do in The Cook Islands
Discover amazing things to do in the Cook Islands, the ultimate in family-friendly South Pacific island destinations. Trust me … you’re going to want to add these to your bucket list ASAP!
1. Snorkel in Rarotonga
Oroa beach is perfect for snorkelling with kids. There is a great mix of sandy areas for swimming, and coral areas for snorkelling. It’s a nice, quiet beach, and perfect for kids that aren’t confident swimmers yet.
2. Go in Search of The Shipwreck on Mauke
The Te Kou Maru, a cargo ship that wrecked in 2010, sits against the reef on the island of Mauke. Keep an eye out for its bulky shape through the dense foliage as you explore the circle island road. If the tide is low, find a little water-filled depression just to the right of the wreck to relax in. This was one of my favourite things to do in the Cook Islands!
3. Explore The Rough Circle Island Track by Scooter in Atiu
This is really fun! You will quickly realise that child safety restraints are non-existent in the Cook Islands. Kids regularly ride on the back of scooters, often secured by a pareo (sarong). Don’t worry, it would be unusual to drive over 30km an hour here, and as that the population is only around 400 people, there are more wild goats than actual traffic to watch out for.
4. Relax in Tropical Island Bliss on One Foot Island in Aitutaki
Make your tropical island dreams come true on One Foot Island. It’s incredibly picture perfect and if I was to spend time on the Aitutaki lagoon again, I would probably just ask them to drop me here and skip the rest of it. It’s perfect for kids due to the great mix of shallow and deeper areas in the lagoon, and the nice shady areas on the actual island. I recommend using Bishops Cruises to get you there!
This was one of my favourite things to do on the island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands!
5. Drive a Buggy Through The Mud in Front of an Abandoned Resort in Rarotonga
These buggies are a lot of fun but if you can’t deal with mud, don’t even consider this. By the time you come out of the mud pits fronting the abandoned Sheraton resort, there won’t be many spots left that aren’t covered in mud. My five year old wasn’t keen, but my two year old absolutely loved it! A highlight is jumping into the swimming hole at Wigmore’s waterfall to clean up afterwards. Check out the web page of Raro buggy Tours here.
This is one of the most fun things to do on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands!
6. Swing From The South Pacific’s Largest Banyan Tree in Mauke
This was an absolute highlight of the Cook Islands for us. If this was home in Australia, the experience would be ruined by an overabundance of health and safety warnings about swinging on the tree roots. Not here! Loosen reigns and let the kids be free-range a little here. Our wonderful guide Clem (who has been swinging from this tree for at least 50 years) just laughed and said, “You are allowed to do that here”, and promptly tied a knot in the tree root for us to sit on.
7. Jump From The Harbour Walls Into The Ocean in Atiu
The harbour is the only place you can really swim in deep water on the island of Atiu and as a result, it’s popular with the local kids. They will be happy to show you how to make the grandest entrance by backflipping off the wall into the fish-filled water below. Wear socks to help you get out as walking back up the ramp is a slippery affair.
This is another one of those awesome things to do in the Cook Islands where kids can just be kids.
8. Listen to the Glorious Singing at Church in Aitutaki
Even if you are a non-believer, or don’t regularly attend church, it’s worth attending a service for the beautiful singing. The actual service only goes for around an hour, and for the most part, is filled with the beautiful close-knit harmonies of the congregation in their Sunday bests. It’s both an oral and visual spectacle that you don’t want to miss in the Cook Islands!
9. Race Hermit Crabs in Aitutaki
You can race crabs on all of the islands of course, but there seems to be an abundance of larger ones on Aitutaki. Draw a circle on the ground, place your crab in the middle, and the first one out is the winner! This activity seems to attract more kids that aren’t your own, so don’t do this if you are looking for some peace and quiet.
10. Swim in a Freshwater Cave Pool by Candlelight in Atiu (One of the most memorable things to do in the Cook Islands)
This experience is incredibly unique and memorable. However, it’s only suitable for older kids as they need sure feet to trek in. You will also need a guide to find it (I recommend Marshall Humphreys).
11. Swim Under Wigmore’s Waterfall in Rarotonga
Wigmore’s Waterfall is a real highlight and the locals can show you how to climb up the slippery rocks and either jump in or slide down. The water was flowing due to recent rain when we visited, but I’m told it’s a bit disappointing if it hasn’t rained in a while. Make sure you bring insect repellent!
12. Check out The Divided Church in Mauke
This church is really unique. Built in 1882, the villages disagreed on the interior decorations so a wall was built down the middle and it was decorated in two different styles. Eventually the wall was removed, and now the minister stands with a foot on either side. It’s very obvious where the two different styles meet and even if it didn’t have this strange quirk, this particular church is quite lovely with bright decorations and stained glass windows.
This is one incredibly unique sight-seeing opportunity in the Cook Islands.
13. Hire a Kayak or Stand-Up-Paddle-Board to Explore The Lagoon in Aitutaki
Aitutaki’s lagoon is regularly touted as one of the worlds most beautiful lagoons. Exploring on your own is a cost effective, and incredibly awesome way to spend some time on it’s aqua waters at your own pace.
14. Explore The Inland Roads via Electric Tuk-Tuk in Rarotonga
Take an island tour with Tike-E-Tours to get a feel for the place. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable and you will get to experience the real Rarotonga. Of course, the kids weren’t interested in what the guide had to say but we were, and they were happy enough to go for a ride in a bright orange Tuk-Tuk.
15. Grab a Home Style Burger at Kato’s Store and Make Friends With the Locals on Mauke
On an island with a population of only around 300 people, dining out is hard to come by. The local grocery store has a nice little deck with chairs and serves up a great home style burger. It’s a fantastic place to hang out and chat with the incredibly friendly and welcoming locals.
16. Spot the Wild Goats and Pigs Whilst Exploring The Circle Island Tracks in Atiu and Mauke
The wild goats and pigs are considered a pest, but for us, beeping them off the road by scooter horn was a bit of a novelty. The kids particularly enjoyed spotting the wild animals and it kept them amused when they got bored of riding on the scooter!
17. Splurge on an Island Night in Rarotonga
Whilst a bit cheesy in spots, an island night is an opportunity to eat some great food, learn about the culture, and be thoroughly entertained. The kids won’t be bored with all that food, dancing, and fire twirling. You can book your over water night show here.
18. Go on a Cave Tour to Spot The Rare Kopeka Bird in Atiu (One of the most unique things to do in the Cook Islands)
The Kopeka Bird or Atiuan Swiftlet is found no-where else in the world. They are fascinating little birds that make a home in the dark of the caves and navigate by an echo-locating clicking sound. Go on a tour with Marshall Humphreys to Anatakitaki Cave to spot them, a multi chambered cave surrounded by jungle and banyan roots.
19. Try a Local Dish at one of the Great Restaurants in Aitutaki
Enjoy the laid back dining options in Aitutaki. Head over to the Boat Shed, located near the airport, and try the Ika Mata, a marinated raw fish dish served in a coconut with salad and island-style chips. We enjoyed it so much we went back and ordered it the next day. The Boat Shed is decorated with fascinating nautical memorabilia and has a modern playground for kids out the front.
This is an amazing place to eat on the island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.
20. Swim in a Saltwater Cave Pool in Mauke
When exploring the island of Mauke, ask a local to show you where the saltwater cave is near Kopupooki (Stomach Rock) Beach. It’s a beautiful little fish-filled cave that is best visited at low tide. It’s a bit of a surreal experience sitting in a calm freshwater cave while 50 metres away, the force of the ocean pounds against the reef break.
21. Watch the Sunset From a Deserted Cove on Atiu
Both the islands of Atiu and Mauke are characterised by a coastline of Makatea cliffs (fossilised coral). Nestled between these cliffs are many small white sandy coves that are guaranteed to be deserted. If you’re lucky, you might spot the silhouette of a local fisherman standing barefoot on the edge of the reef, securing his dinner with a long wooden fishing pole.
This is a truly photo-worthy experience to be had in the Cook Islands.
22. Hire a Scooter or Ute and Explore The Bumpy Outer Island Track on Mauke
Exploring the 18km outer island track on both Mauke and Atiu is a lot of fun. The landscape changes depending on which side of the island you are on and there are many walking tracks leading down to deserted coves just waiting to be explored. You can’t really get lost because any road leading off the circle island track heads back into town in the centre of the island.
23. Snorkel With Giant Trevally and Giant Clams on Aitutaki
Book a lagoon tour or private charter with Bishops Cruises in Aitutaki and ask the captain about the giant clams and giant trevally. It’s pretty awesome, even if the trevally’s mouth does look big enough to swallow a finger!
24. Swim in a Freshwater Cave Pool in Mauke
Vai Tango is the most popular and is within walking distance of Ngatiarua Village in the centre of the island. There is also one near the giant banyan tree. Usually, the water is cool and crystal clear, but after rain, the water is murky from the dirt that is washed down into the cave.
25. Hop on The Circle Island Bus and Explore Like a Local in Rarotonga
The circle island road is only 32km round and there is a bus that goes clockwise, and another that goes anti-clockwise. This means regardless of where you choose to hop off, you really don’t have to wait too long for the next bus to come along. The best way to do this is with no urgency and no plan, other than to hop off where the beach looks pretty.
This is a pretty laid back thing to do in the Cook Islands.
26. Visit the Night Market for an Affordable Feed in Rarotonga
“Get in early for the pork belly”, was the advice we were given by a local. I’m so glad that we listened because it was cooked to perfection and the line grew quickly about five minutes after we secured our plates.
27. Go on a Glass Bottom Lagoon Cruise in Rarotonga (one of the most popular things to do in the Cook Islands)
The crew play ukelele as you snorkel or watch the fish swim through the glass bottom boat. A barbecue lunch is included on a beautiful islet and if you book with Koka Lagoon Cruises, a portion of your ticket cost supports a marine conservation fund. Highlights include snorkelling, and demonstrations on pareo (sarong) tying, coconut tree climbing, and coconut husking.
This is a popular things to do in the Cook Islands … and for good reason!
28. Play 18 Holes of Mini Golf and Stay For Dinner at Coco Putt in Rarotonga
Coco Putt is a mini-golf course (great family activity), but it also has a bar and bistro offering Sky Sports and live entertainment. Putter sizes are available for every family member and I was surprised that even our two year old could manage this activity (even if it does take 14 goes and a little help from her foot to get in it the hole!)
29. Watch the Waves Assault the Close Fringing Reef From a Calm Deserted Cove in Atiu
The fringing reef in Atiu is usually no more than 50 metres from the shoreline. Find your own deserted cove (they are pretty much all deserted), sit in the calm aqua water and watch the waves crash onto the fringing reef a little way out. It’s mesmerising!
30. Go Marine Life Spotting in the Sandy Coves Nestled Between the Makatea Cliffs in Mauke
Much like the island of Atiu, there are many deserted coves to explore. Choose one and enjoy playing explorers for the day, spotting crabs, sea urchins, fish, coral, etc. Don’t forget the reef shoes!
Looking for More Cook Islands Inspiration?
Check out our dedicated Cook Islands page for more inspiration and information on the Cook Islands. For other destinations both in Australia and abroad, head on back to the home page.
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Resources for Booking Your Cook Island Holiday
Flights
All international flights land in Rarotonga. Try searching on Trip.com for a great deal on flights to Rarotonga.
Internal flights around the Cook Islands need to be booked with Air Rarotonga. Mauke, Atiu and Aitutaki are less than one hour flight from Rarotonga.
Accommodation
The White House Villa is a great self-contained family-friendly apartment near Aroa Beach on Rarotonga.
Pssst. If your time and budget extend only to the island of Rarotonga, make sure to read our article on things to do in Rarotonga.
