Cook Islands Travel Forum

we are going to the cook islands soon and have booked rau's guest house, how is it? and where else is good to stay? we are htere for a month, so does anyone have any other islands to suggest? your help is much appreciated, holly x

Tha main island, Rarotonga, is very small. You can ride around it on motor scooter in about 40 minutes. A month is a long time to spend on such a small island unless your main aim is to spend a lot of time soaking up the sun on the beach.
You should visit Aitutaki and some of the other islands further out.

If you are up for some strenuous exercise ask a local to point you in the direction of a track which takes you to the top of the island for a fantastic 360 degree view. It is a scramble through steep bush in stages but an adventure and worth the view.

Have a great time!

In Rarotonga, be sure to catch the Sunday morning church service for some marvelous Polynesian singing. There are also "island nights" at some of the hotels -- a bit touristy, but the dancing is very good, and you can sample traditional local foods cooked in an underground oven. Beaches are quite good, especially on the S part of the island.

But for great beaches and a laid-back atmosphere, go to Aitutaki, which unlike mountainous Raro, is an atoll-like configuration with a big lagoon and fabulous beaches. There's not much to do there except sun, swim, and snorkel, but the scenery and small village atmosphere are very worthwhile. You'll probably have to fly, although there are some small inter-island supply boats. Another possibility is to try to hitch a ride on a yacht.

Another interesting island that is completely different is Atiu, a raised coral atoll that is "cliffy" not as beachy. The interest here is more cultural, with five small inland villages to explore. There's also good caving here, as well as bushwalking. Good luck!

Aitutaki definitely for the beauty of its lagoon and motus.
Atiu was an excellent experience for us as well. Have a look at my travel page for Atiu here: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/82af1/#TL