Cook Islands adventure holidays and packages with Beautiful Pacific, the most knowledgeable South Pacific travel specialist based in the islands offering great deals on adventure holidays in the Cook Islands.
Whilst Rarotonga and Aitutaki both have some good tours, the islands are rather too commercialized and too small in size to offer any real adventures. The best region of Rarotonga to get away from the tourism, to explore the hinterland and have a sense of living amongst the local people is along the east coast of the island from Matavera Village to Avarua Town. On Aitutaki, the main island is still very undevelopped and by hiring a motorbike its easy to explore and get a sense of outer island living. However, the only islands where you'll experience true adventure are on the eastern islands of Atiu, Mangaia and Mauke but here accommodation is limited to just one of two small guesthouses and provisions can be unreliable.
Scuba diving in the Cook islands is good but limited for experienced divers. Rarotonga has some good reefs all close to shore and because the island is so small but relatively high thus protecting it from winds, scuba diving venues change depending on the wind direction. There are five dive operators on island all offering daily pick-ups from aroud the island so it doesn't matter which resort you are staying at..
The following accommodations are recommended for a sense of adventure:
Akaiami Paradise offers a unique opportunity to stay on one of the outlying islands of Aitutaki Lagoon. Escape the crowds and stay at this delightful hand-crafted lodge located on an uninhabited motu within the lagoon, set on a gorgeous white sandy beach ideal for swimming and relaxing.
Aretai is a collection of three 2-bedroom villas with separate lounge and kitchen on family owned land beside the beach on the west coast of Aitutaki . Each villa has cane furniture, kitchen, a large covered deck overlooking the lagoon and the beachfront stretches for miles in each direction.
Rarotonga Island
Apartments Kakera, Rarotonga NZ$ 380 - 600 per couple
Located on the rural east coast of Rarotonga, Apartments Kakera offers modern living in three stylish apartments on the coastal road about 3 minutes walk to the ocean. With a wild beachcombing coral beach to explore, and excellent hiking tracks into the tropical valleys and mountains, Kakera is a good choice for adventurers.
Club Raro Resort, Rarotonga NZ$ 200 - 340 per couple
Club Raro Resort is conveniently located only 5mins from the main town of Avarua. An intimate and friendly resort offering 55 air-conditioned rooms including 15 Lagoon front Rooms overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A great place to enjoy a cooling dip and refreshing cocktail especially with the popular swim up pool bar.
Paradise Inn Rarotonga is located right on the waters edge of a reef-walking beach just five minutes walk into downtown Avarua. This is a great affordable base to enjoy the quaint Avarua Town with its bars, restaurants and shops, and to enjoy lovely sea and mountain views with walking access to some excellent hikes.
