Cook Islands Travel Forum

My girlfriend and I will be visiting the Cook Islands (Raratonga and Aitutaki) in June. Much to my distress (and the utter disinterest of my girlfriend) this coincides with the World Cup!! Is there anywhere on either island where I will be able to watch the matches (bearing in mind the kick-off times will be 3am, 6am, and 9am or thereabouts)? Please help!!!!

Except for low budget accommodation, your hotel/rental house should have a TV set. TV coverage however is rather limited in the Cooks (not 24-7) so you might have a problem there. I'll try and ask around for you.
Did you know that the Survivor series will be filmed in Aitutaki May-June? They are hosting a team of up to 300 people! Have you booked your accommodation yet?

Survivor? Really? Bloody hell, I's better get onto it. Any recommendations for accommodation on Aitutaki or Raratonga (Muri beach)? Are you there at the moment?

No, I am not in the Cook Islands for the moment, but I have been preparing my summer vacation there since last August!
The best place to start looking should be the Virtual Tourist travel guides (hm, hm).
Additionnally check out http://www.ck/. They have a list of hotels and rental houses for all budgets in both Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
The Cook Islands Tourist Board is very helpful too: http://www.cook-islands.com/accomm_finder.php.
Muri Beach on Rarotonga seems to be the most popular part of the island, but is not on the sunset side of the island (if that is important to you). Considering the prevailing winds, the west side of the island is the lee side, i.e. best protected from the wind. The lagoon on the north and east side is very small (the reef is very close to the beach).
In Aitutaki the east side of the island on the ocean side is not good for swimming nor snorkling: too shallow, too muddy. The inner lagoon side on the east side is OK though (Samade has beautiful vieuw and excellent snorkling). The west side of the island (the sunset side) is the lee side and here you will find the highest concentration of accommodation. Snorkling is very good in front of Esma Villas on the north of the island (very isolated, no restaurants nor bars nearby).
You can also stay at One Foot Island: the lodge (McBirney house) however does not have electricity. So no World Cup there for sure!!!

Here is some follow up: broadcasting schedules are not yet known for this year's WC. Aitutaki usually does not have live broadcasting. Depends on sponsors caughing up enough money.
For you info: in the Cook Islands rugby is more popular than football.