Getting around the Cook Islands

By plane

Domestic inter-island service is provided by Air Rarotonga [2]. Although you can book flights through Air Zealand, it is usually cheaper to do so directly with Air Rarotonga. This has become much easier in the past few years, now that they offer online booking through their web site http://www.airraro.com. Unless you're a member of Air New Zealand's "Airpoints Dollars" program, you won't receive any airline miles for Air Rarotonga -- and then only if you book through Air New Zealand, often at a higher price. Star Alliance mileage for Air Rarotonga is not available. Most of the outer islands have only unpaved runways. However, landing won't be much rougher than that of a paved runway. If you've never landed on an unpaved runway before, it's nothing to be overly concerned about, and you've probably had a few rougher landings on a paved runway.

By boat

The intrepid traveller can visit all inhabited islands by inter island freighters, but these can be few and far between if you want to get the really remote islands. Details of services are published in local island newspapers.

By motor scooter

Rarotonga's main island is encircled by a 32 km bitumen road that is in good condition, and the best mode of transport is hiring a motor scooter from the various rental companies scattered around, or direct from the larger hotels. To ride a scooter, you need a Cook Islands drivers license, which can be purchased from the Police station in Avarua. Be prepared to do a short test, where an officer will follow you around a short circuit to make sure you know what you are doing. If you're planning to sail to the islands you must enter through one of the five designated ports of entry. These are Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu in the Southern group, and Penrhyn and Pukapuka in the Northern group. There are two uninhabited islands - Takutea and Manuae. The only easy way for a visitor to get to Takutea is on the research vessel Bounty Bay operated by Rarotonga-based Pacific Expeditions, which has special permission to run occasional eco tours.