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Cook Islands
Photos South Pacific Islands  Large Picture Deserted beaches, tropical mountains, traditional dance and black pearls ... Click an icon in the Map of Cook Islands for more pictures |
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South Pacific Travel Specialist
 South Pacific Resorts  Call Now Rarotonga is a high volcanic island covered in rich tropical rain forest. There are plenty of valley roads and mountain trails to explore as well as an excellent cross island hike taking 5 hours. Rarotonga is the main island with 90% of accommodation, most of which is small privately owned beach bungalows. The island takes about 40-mintes to drive around and is surrounded by lovely beaches. Muri Beach is one of several popular beaches around the island with a concentration of resorts, beach bungalows and holiday homes. Several lagoon islands make this a good spot for kayaking and swimming. Avatiu Harbour on the outskirts of Avarua Town, the main town in the Cook Islands. The island has great restaurants, shopping. lots of tours and is ideal for exploring. Aitutaki is the second most visited island after Rarotonga but is neither large nor mountainous, taking about 30-minutes to drive around. There are pleasant beaches and snorkelling and about a dozen places to stay, mostly is small beach bungalows. Arutanga Town is the main centre for Aitutaki with a small market, handcraft shops, two restaurants, post office, petrol station and supermarket. Tiny offshore islands and gorgeous beaches make the Lagoon a spectacular setting and the main attraction of Aitutaki. Several tour companies offer cruises or you can charter a small boat for a day excursion. Atiu Island has beautiful secluded cove beaches but neither swimming nor snorkelling in the lagoon is good. Atiu's main attraction is experiencing traditional life and exploring. All villages on Atiu are inland on a central plateau that is raised from the coast by a rocky limestone cliff. Atiu has many caves to explore as well as its famous Bush Beer. One of several large caves around Mangaia offering impressive stalagmites as well as human burial graves. There are a few basic guesthouses but few beaches and no restaurants. Mauke is the most easterly of the Cook Islands. This is a traditional island without beaches or resorts and the main highlights are its divided church and caves. The remote Northern Atolls are renowned for the cultivation of black pearls in the protected lagoons, particularly on Manihiki Atoll. Pearl farming is the only source of income other than copra farming. With vast lagoons but tiny land masses and infertile soil, Northern Atoll islanders rely on fishing for much of their dietry needs. Penrhyn Atoll is the largest atoll in the Cook Islands and is renowned for its fine handcrafts and pearls. There are only a few basic guesthouses in these remote groups where traditional lifestyle is maintained. Manihiki Atoll, renowned for its black pearl farming in the shallow lagoon. There are weekly flights to these remote atolls taking from 3 to 5 hours from Rarotonga. |
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