Heavenly Cook Islands with crystal clear waters, enchanting lagoons and intense scents
How many times have you dreamed of landing on an island in the heart of Polynesia, in the immense Pacific, with its volcanic and coral atolls, to let yourself go to the happiness of a timeless atmosphere? Among these heavenly places are the Cook Islands, where you will be inebriated by intense colors and scents, by melodies and children's dances that satisfy the soul. This year the archipelago with its 15 islands celebrates 60 years of independence and to celebrate this anniversary, between July 25 and August 5, the Te Maeva Nui takes place, the most important cultural festival of the archipelago, which highlights the heritage, cultural expressions and sense of belonging of its islands. Upon arrival, you are greeted with the traditional "floral welcome", consisting of a necklace of frangipani and accompanied by the sounds of Polynesian music. The capital, Rarotonga, is a green island graced by nature, with a belt of white sand and turquoise waters that invite you to dive in at any time. A magical atmosphere reigns here, which leads to the discovery of local treasures: tropical forests, colorful markets, hidden beaches and green meadows invaded, during the fiery red sunsets, by children playing rugby. Once you have passed the welcome test, you can proceed with the transfer to the hotel. Among the accommodation addresses, we point out the Manuia Beach Resort, a refined eco-boutique hotel immersed in tropical vegetation and overlooking the beach. Alternatively , you can stay at the Ikurangi Eco-Lodge to try an unusual glamping.
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To experience Rarotonga’s nature, take the Storytellers Eco Tour, a guided bike tour of plantations, local villages and coastal paths, accompanied by narration about myths, wildlife and sustainable practices. Next, plan a visit to the organically grown Marie Nui Botanical Gardens, filled with flowers, herbs and tropical plants. For dinner, try the street food at the Muri Night Markets. The Punanga Nui Market in Avarua, Rarotonga’s main town, offers free entertainment, fresh produce stalls, organic coffee and authentic souvenirs such as pearls, artwork, handicrafts and coconut husk hats. The market is open until midday, but early Saturday morning is the best time to pick up locally grown fruit and vegetables and homemade treats such as poke. From 10am onwards, the main stage comes alive with live music and dancing.
The marine life of the place is a great attraction. In addition to diving or snorkeling, you can explore it with a guided excursion of Ariimoana Reef Explorer Tour, which offers a walk on the coral reef in the Vaimaanga area during low tide. In the evening you can dedicate yourself to kayaking or SUP (stand-up paddle) in the lagoon, among crystal clear waters and living corals. Don't miss the dinner accompanied by the show of authentic Polynesian dances at the Te Vara Nui Village.
Another outdoor activity that promises strong emotions is the Te Rua Manga (The Needle) trek. This is an ecological climb, strictly accompanied by a local Italian-speaking guide, which offers a 7–8 km walk from the Vaimaanga coast towards the lush interior of the island, through rivers, orchards, plantations and jungle trails, until reaching a panoramic ridge overlooking the south coast and the famous “Needle”. In the evening you can relax with a good cocktail and dinner at the Nautilus Resort.
The heart of a trip to the Cook Islands is the discovery of Aitutaki, “the most beautiful lagoon in the world” according to Tony Wheeler, founder of the famous Lonely Planet guide. You start with an Air Rarotonga flight to arrive in that legendary lagoon that in the 1950s was the “swimming pool” of Hollywood stars, who landed there in luxurious “Flying Boats”. You can stay at the Tamanu Beach Resort, an eco-sustainable structure on the seashore. For a luxury stay, the option is the Pacific Resort Aitutaki. The ideal time to relax is at sunset: from June to October you can admire the passage of whales that coast along the reef. Before a healthy night's rest, a dinner at Tamanu Beach is recommended.
A day not to be missed is the one that includes a catamaran transfer to snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Aitutaki Lagoon. Stops can be made on uninhabited motus (islets) to relax and swim and visit One Foot Island, one of the most photographed spots in the Pacific, before indulging in a delicious lunch of freshly grilled seafood cooked right on board, accompanied by a selection of fresh salads, local sides and fruit. On the return journey, the crew entertains guests with impromptu activities such as tying pareu (a rectangular piece of cloth with bright prints and patterns, which is wrapped around the body as a garment), weaving coconut leaf plates or humming island tunes.
Among the many activities on offer, you can carve out a day to dedicate to optional excursions, perhaps renting a scooter, car or bicycle to explore the island, before dedicating yourself to an afternoon kayaking in the lagoon. Dinner at The Boat Shed is recommended. On Sundays, it is an unforgettable experience to attend mass in the spectacular Cook Islands Christina Church to listen to the singing of local choirs.
The travel program can include a visit to Atiu, the third largest island of the group and with over eight million years of history. You can get there by flight and it represents the dream of an ecologist and those who love adventure. Known as the wild island, it is made up of a volcanic mass that over the centuries has emerged from the sea to be surrounded by a raised limestone coral reef called makatea. You can stay overnight in the Atiu Villas, charming standard category villas immersed in nature and managed with eco-friendly criteria. Here the evenings pass quietly among birds singing, contemplating the stars.
Before returning to Rarotonga and from there to return to Italy, do not miss the mysterious limestone caves and dedicate a few hours of the afternoon to birdwatching with "Birdman George", a very well-known guide in Atiu, who offers the observation of rare birds such as the kopeka, which orients itself like a bat. George Mateariki, this is his name, works for the protected area of Takitumu and is involved in a recovery program aimed at protecting some species of birds in danger of extinction.
A couple of weeks is the ideal length for a trip to discover this archipelago of New Zealand Polynesia. You can fly from Italy to the American west coast. It is advisable to stop for one or two nights in Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle, depending on the arrival airport, before leaving again to reach Rarotonga. It should be noted that Air Tahiti Nui, in collaboration with Air Rarotonga and Air Tahiti, have increased air connections between Tahiti and the Cook Islands. From June 29 to December 28, 2025, the frequency of flights on the Tahiti-Rarotonga route will double, going from two to four flights per week.
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