Honeymoon Locations » South Pacific » The Cook Islands

Just three hours flight from New Zealand, the cook Islands are everything a romantic, sun drenched group of islands should be, each offering its own unique beauty and cultural charms. The tiny nation’s 15 islands, set in the heart of the South Pacific, actually spread over an area around the size of India, and yet they support a population no bigger than a small New Zealand town – around 14,000 people.

 

Disembark from your international flight and feel the tropical air’s warm embrace, enjoy the scent of frangipani in the air and return the friendly greetings of the locals. As soon as you step off the plane you’ll just feel yourself drop a few hears, as the Cook Islands are a tonic for the modern world and your body and soul will love you for time spent here, under the swaying palms.

 

 

 

The Cooks are a mix of volcanic islands and coral atolls, lagoons, white sand beaches and tiny villages, laughing and smiling people and a place to create memories that will last a lifetime. It only takes around 40 minutes drive to get around the main island of Rarotonga, and what a drive. Past colourful houses and white washed churches, past the fabulous Muri beach and well kept little villages. Explorers will find tropical sunsets, warm waters and white sand beaches, coral reefs, lush rainforests and colourful village gardens throughout the Cooks.

 

For the active holidaymaker, snorkeling, diving and fishing abound, while the central mountainous region is a delight for hikers and eco-enthusiasts. Or how about a four-wheel drive through the jungles, or perhaps a more sedate horse ride? Simply swimming inside sheltered reefs is always stunning, with all sorts of marine life to be observed.

 

Resorts and accommodation range from the simple to the magnificent. Most resorts border powder-fine white sand beaches, holding back the island nation’s famous blue sea. There’s international style resorts with tennis courts and fine restaurants or more organic smaller resorts with just a few bungalows on the sand. Your room may have a beachfront location, lagoon views, or even sit over water for total indulgence.

 

 

Travelling to the Cook Islands is made even easier for the fact they use New Zealand dollars, so no money changing hassles, just immediate relaxation.

 

So how to spend your days? How about a beauty treatment or lagoon cruise in the morning, a fresh seafood lunch that you may have caught yourself, an afternoon dozing in a hammock, and then cocktails lagoonside at dusk? Wherever you stay, get out and about by hiring a car, and drive around enjoying the scenery and stopping to eat at the various restaurants and cafes. Then on Sunday a trip to the local church is a must with beautiful voices carrying on the topical breeze, do dress up though, church is a serious business on this island.

 

Take the time to talk to the people, and find out what fills them with such joy. Admire one of the hundreds of tropical gardens throughout the islands, sway to the rhythm of the famous Cook Island drums, or what about a night time stroll on a deserted moonlit beach?

 

The Cook Island’s warm waters, white sands and laid back friendly locals make for a Pacific island holiday you’ll never want to leave.