A green volcanic peak ringed by a snorkelling lagoon, and the most beautiful lagoon in the world a short flight away, the Cook Islands, the South Pacific the crowds have not found.
Into Rarotonga, a single green volcanic peak ringed by a turquoise lagoon and a road just 32 km around. After the flight we keep it easy, a flower ei around your neck, a first island night feast and drum dance, a beach sunset, an early night.
The cross island track over the dramatic Needle, the Punanga Nui market on a Saturday, and the snorkelling lagoon at Muri, warm, clear and full of fish. A scooter or a bike around the whole friendly island, stopping wherever you like.
A glass bottom boat lagoon cruise with a fish barbecue on a motu, a cultural village and an umukai earth oven feast, or simply a beach and a book. The Cook Islands run on island time, and it suits you instantly. (Rarotonga night 3)
A short flight to Aitutaki and its vast triangular lagoon, routinely called the most beautiful in the world, a sheet of impossible turquoise dotted with motus. Settle on the beach, a first swim in water so clear it barely seems to be there.
A full day lagoon cruise to One Foot Island and its sandbanks, snorkelling with giant trevally, turtles and clams over the coral, a barbecue on a deserted motu, and a passport stamp at the world's smallest post office. A day of pure, blinding blue.
A kayak or a paddleboard across the lagoon, the singing at a village church on a Sunday, a spa, a sunset that sets the whole lagoon alight. The slowest, bluest, most peaceful corner of the Pacific. (Aitutaki night 6)
A final snorkel, a beach entirely to yourself, an island feast and a drum and ukulele night. The Cook Islands are the South Pacific stripped back to its purest, friendliest essence, and you have had it almost alone. (Aitutaki night 7)
A last lagoon breakfast before the flight back via Rarotonga and home. The Cooks send you off with a flower ei, a song and a powerful certainty that you found a secret the rest of the world has somehow missed.
Three ways to do the same route: Comfort, Premium or Luxe. Breakfasts in. Mix tiers city by city if you like, it is your trip.
Priced to your dates, your hotel tier and how the two of you like to travel. Ask, the first answer usually lands within minutes.
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