BORDER OPENING STATUS

Flights are currently available via Auckland, New Zealand with a two-way Quarantine Free Travel (QFT) - so no quarantine or isolation at either end of the trip. Commencement dates for direct flights from Sydney, Los Angeles and Papeete are still to be announced.

How can you describe paradise? For me anyway it’s associated with water. Turquoise, gin clear, not too deep, white sand, ….the type that squeeks under your feet…Yes, add some palm trees on the fringe. And a lagoon, in the morning…quiet and still. God knows we all have had time to think this one over and over during these last months while we have been locked in at home. But now it looks like the few baby steps in borders re-opening have started and going to an airport and board for an overseas flight is possible. And what better place than the Cook Islands for a tropical Pacific island holiday.

Cook Islanders are true Polynesians, connecting directly back to the finest seafarers of the Pacific. From 1500 BC, Polynesian islands were gradually populated by Maori ancestors who landed in their magnificent giant double-hulled canoes guided by the stars and their famous navigation skills. Located at the very centre of Polynesia, the fifteen Cook islands stretch out over a 2 million square kilometres backyard. In true tradition, Longitude 80 has designed an itinerary that combines the two most stunning beach properties in the Cook Islands, adding some unique experiences during your stay that will deliver a true Cook Islands holiday mixed in with adventures and the proper way to disconnect. With direct, non-stop flights from Auckland lasting less than 4 hours, you land in the capital, Avarua and in less than one hour, you will be checked in and all settled on the beach.

Our itinerary recommendations is for 7 nights, the first 4 nights on Rarotonga Island and then moving to another island, Aitutaki for a 3 nights stay so you can enjoy one of the most stunning lagoon in the world. However we are totally flexible. Contact us at Longitude 80 so we can assist you with designing a custom made tropical holiday just . 

All photos courtesy Cook Islands Tourism, Kieran Scott and David Kirkland.

 WHEN

There is no bad time weather-wise , roughly between April to November provides the driest months with July/August being peak season.

WHERE

Rarotonga Island has the only international airport. Only travelers who have been in New Zealand for 14 consecutive days prior to departure for the Cook islands are allowed entry. If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident, you must also ensure that if you leave New Zealand that you are legally able to return to New Zealand directly after your holiday.

HOW LONG

The ideal minimum would be 7-8 days but  if you really want to get on “island time”, 2 weeks will do it just nicely.

 DID YOU KNOW?

The Cook Islands government regulated that no building can be taller than a coconut tree and there are no traffic lights.