//
Cook Islands
Photo: Mr Bullitt, edited by trialsanderrors, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
The Southern Cook Islands are a loose group of mostly volcanic, hilly islands and a few coral atolls. It is home to most of the islands' population, and to its capital and largest town, Avarua. The Southern Cook Islands are separated from the Northern Cook Islands by a wide stretch of the Pacific Ocean, with the nearest part of the Northern chain being Suwarrow, 500 km (310 mi) due north of Palmerston Island.
Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) is the main gateway. There are daily services from Auckland (3½ hours) and weekly services from Sydney, Los Angeles, and Honolulu.
Read in the guideAir Rarotonga offers scheduled services between the islands. Barges service the inhabited islands, but do not operate to a schedule. Charter flights are available.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Avarua · International · RAR
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Southern Cook Islands and Cook Islands.
Travel tipsRather than buying separate flights from one destination to another, a flexible and sometimes cheaper way of international travel is via Round the world (RTW) tickets.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyMany people who travel to New Zealand and the Cook Islands are interested in experiencing and learning about Maori culture, the customs and traditions of their indigenous people.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsA motel, short for motor hotel, is self-contained travel accommodation adapted for people who are travelling by car.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.