What should I bring to the Cook Islands?

11 things to pack for your next trip to the Cook Islands!
  • Jandals/flip flops. We start with a few easy ones and probably the first things you'll throw into your suitcase. ...
  • Swimming Gear and Casual Clothing. ...
  • Sneakers. ...
  • Sunglasses and Oxybenzone free Sunblock. ...
  • Insect Repellent. ...
  • Reef Shoes. ...
  • Snorkel Gear. ...
  • Waterproof Camera/GoPro.




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Aim for a budget of NZ$90 (US$63) per day upwards for a backpacker stay on the islands, staying in dorms, taking local buses and cooking meals at your hostel.

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Major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and tourist shops. Several ATMs can be found on Rarotonga, Aitutaki has two ATMs and two banks, and cash is needed for the smaller islands.

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Is the Cook Islands Expensive to Visit? The Cook Islands is more expensive to visit than Australia, the US, Asia and Europe but cheaper than other Pacific destinations like Hawaii, Fiji and Tahiti (French Polynesia).

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Mobiles & WiFi You can buy a Visitor Sim card from the Vodafone offices in Avarua, or from Vodafone at the airport on arrival, or other retail outlets. Depending on the type of SIM your phone uses, you'll need to use a standard, micro or nano SIM. You'll get all three sizes in one SIM card - pop out the size you need.

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The shoulder months of April, May, September and October are the sweet spot when you can expect relatively dry weather, lots of sunshine and less humidity – but with fewer tourists. It's a great time to experience the beauty and buzz of the Cook Islands when it's not super busy.

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The remoteness of the Cook Islands means you've taken some time to get here. Wherever you've flown from. And flight schedules mean you'll likely be looking at around a week long stay at a minimum unless visiting from New Zealand. We had seven days and six nights for our visit.

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Water -- Generally, the water on Rarotonga is safe to drink from the tap. It is filtered but not treated and can become slightly muddy after periods of heavy rain. If in doubt, boil it in the electric jug in your hotel room.

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Reef Shoe Rental in Rarotonga Correspondingly, walking along the never ending beach is a favorite activity for many people. Moreover, you can also explore the exposed fringing reef at low tide on reef walk. However, you need reef shoes to protect your feet from injury.

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Mosquitos are around all year in the Cook Islands, so it's a good idea to always have some sort of insect repellent on hand, especially when going into any forested areas. However, mosquitoes are most abundant during the wet season, from around mid-December to mid-April.

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Foods you can't pack in your carry-on
Think: creamy cheeses, liquid chocolate, liquid coffee, creamy dips and spreads, gravy, honey, hummus, ice cream, jam, jelly, juice, syrup, peanut butter, salad dressing, sauce, salsa, soda, soup and yogurt.

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