How to Island-Hop in the Cook Islands
Sure, everyone talks about Rarotonga, but how do you get to the other islands of the Cook Islands?! We hear you! The Cook Islands is much more than the popular tourist hub of Rarotonga, as there are a total of 15 islands scattered far and wide across the country. With that in mind, there are three ways you can island-hop as part of a tour in the Cook Islands:
- Take an island-hopping tour with interisland flights included
- Visit various tiny islets (motu) within one of the atolls on a boat tour
- Sail between the atolls on a cruise ship.
We go through some of your best options in this list of the best island-hopping tours in Rarotonga, Aitutaki and the Cook Islands.
1. Aitutaki Day Tour from Rarotonga – Tours Between Rarotonga and Aitutaki
Want to island-hop between Rarotonga and Aitutaki and back in just one day? The “Aitutaki Day Tour” operated by Air Rarotonga is the complete island package from Rarotonga including return flights and a six-hour lagoon cruise with The Vaka Cruise (see point #2 below) with a barbecue lunch on the boat, as well as transfers both on Rarotonga and Aitutaki. It couldn’t be easier! See more about visiting Aitutaki in the 10 Best Tours of Aitutaki.
Location: Tours depart from Rarotonga Airport, Rarotonga, and includes all transfers.
2. The Vaka Cruise – Island-Hopping in Aitutaki
Speaking of visiting Aitutaki, the huge lagoon scattered with some 15 islets, locally known as motu, is another way to do some “island-hopping” in the Cook Islands – this time on the water! For instance, The Vaka Cruise is a tour on a Polynesian-inspired double-hulled vessel offering plenty of snorkelling with giant trevally, giant clams and all sorts of tropical fish. You’ll also set foot on One Foot Island, as well as a few other uninhabited motu, and enjoy an island-style lunch on the boat. See how the cruise compares to the 10 Best Lagoon Cruises on Aitutaki.
Location: Tours depart from Ootu Beach, Aitutaki, and transfers are included.
3. Southern Group Adventure Package – Island-Hopping Between Rarotonga, Mangaia, Mauke and Atiu
Explore the lesser-visited islands of the Southern Cook Islands on the “Southern Group Adventure Package” with Island Hopper Vacations. Departing from Rarotonga, this island-hopping trip takes you to Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro and Atiu, including round-trip flights, two nights on each island, all meals, a tour guide and more. The tour takes place on fixed dates around five times a year, so get in there early for one of the 11 spots available on each of these highly sought-after tours.
Location: Tours depart from Rarotonga Airport, Rarotonga, and include all transfers.
4. Trailblazers of the Northern Atolls – Island-Hopping Between Rarotonga, Pukapuka, Manihiki and Penrhyn
If you thought the islands listed in the tour above were remote, wait until you reach the rarely-visited Northern Group islands on the “Trailblazers of the Northern Atolls” tour, also with Island Hopper Vacations. You’ll be taken on a journey from Rarotonga to Pukapuka, Manihiki and then Penrhyn over five days. The flights are in a jet exclusively for your tour group, where tours include round-trip flights, all accommodation, all meals, a tour guide, airport transfers and more. Trips take place on fixed dates around four times a year for up to a maximum of six people per trip.
Location: Tours depart from Rarotonga Airport, Rarotonga, and include all transfers.
5. Kia Orana Cruise – The Cruise That Visits the Most Islands in Aitutaki
Back to island-hopping on the lagoon, the lagoon cruise that endeavours to reach the most islets in Aitutaki is Kia Orana Cruises. Join “Captain Fantastic” for an adventure visiting where they filmed “Shipwrecked” and “Survivor” on Moturakau, stopping by the famous Aitutaki sandbank, visiting Tekopua then the must-visit One Foot Island. You’ll then cross the lagoon to Honeymoon Island, Tavake then Maina for lunch. Of course, in between are plenty of snorkelling spots.
Location: Tours depart from the Arutanga Harbour, Aitutaki, transfers are included.
6. Kutekute Tours & Transfers – Private Aitutaki Island-Hopping Tour
For a private island-hopping tour of the Aitutaki Lagoon, join Kutekute Tours & Transfers for their “Sunset Lagoon Cruise”. Visit a mix of exciting snorkelling spots with giant trevally, giant clams and/or the Purple Wall. You have the optional extras of twilight snorkelling and a unique water hammock float down the channel between One Foot Island and Tekopua. You’ll then enjoy a stunningly presented beach picnic platter on the uninhabited Moturakau as you watch the sunset. Delightful! See more tours like this in The Best Sunset Cruises in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
Location: Tours depart from Ootu Beach, Aitutaki, transfers are included.
7. Teking Lagoon Cruises – Aitutaki Lagoon Cruise
Another top island-hopping tour in Aitutaki and the Cook Islands, Teking Lagoon Cruises offers a small-group experience on the breathtaking Aitutaki Lagoon. Their “Snorkelling Safari Tour” is the most popular cruise they offer, visiting four of the lagoon’s motu and three vibrant snorkelling spots where the focus on ecology and conservation allows you to get more out of the experience. Islands you’ll visit include Maina Island, Honeymoon Island and the infamous One Foot Island and its sandbank. Tours are approximately five hours.
Location: Tours depart from Ootu Beach, Aitutaki, transfers are included.
8. Bishop’s Cruises – The Largest Island-Hopping Cruise in the Aitutaki Lagoon
The largest island-hopping cruise in Aitutaki, Bishop’s Cruises either has you on their 16 pax boat with a minibar or their 45 pax catamaran with a minibar, changing area and toilets. The upper deck of their larger vessel allows for an elevated view of the lagoon, ideal for Instagram-worthy photos. Enjoy six hours on the lagoon including stops for snorkelling, standing on a heavenly sandbank, and making an obligatory stop at One Foot Island. Indulge in a barbecue lunch under the shade of the company’s hut on the island and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring One Foot Island at your own leisure.
Location: Tours depart from Ootu Beach, Aitutaki, transfers are included.
9. Mitiaro by Private Jet – Rarotonga and Mitiaro Island-Hopping
If you want to go all out on your island-hopping experience, private jet packages are also available from Rarotonga to Mitiaro with Island Hopper Vacations. The package includes return flights in a private jet, a guide to accompany you throughout your experience on Mitiaro, airport transfers, one night at the Divine Retreat, a private guided island tour, all meals and a crafting demonstration. Get a taste of Mitiaro from The Complete Travel Guide to Mitiaro and the 15 Best Things to Do on Mitiaro.
Location: Tours depart from Rarotonga Airport, Rarotonga, and include all transfers.
10. Paul Gauguin Cruises – Island Hopping in the Cook Islands and Society Islands
Finally, another way to island-hop in the Cook Islands is by sailing on a cruise ship in the South Pacific. While most cruises only visit one of the islands in the Cook Islands, the “Cook Islands & Society Islands” cruise with Paul Gauguin Cruises stops off at both Rarotonga and Aitutaki for a day each. There are typically five round trips from Papeete, Tahiti, per year. Learn more about how to island-hop via cruise ship with the 7 Best Cruises that Go to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
Location: Cruises depart from Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Plan a Self-Guided Island-Hopping Tour of the Cook Islands
Now that you know the best guided island-hopping tours in Rarotonga, Aitutaki and the Cook Islands, how about seeing how they compare to doing it yourself? Check out these guides to help you travel between islands:
- Domestic Flights in the Cook Islands: Your Guide to Interisland Flights
- Cook Islands Transport Guide: 15 Best Ways to Get Around the Cook Islands
- The Best Rarotonga & Cook Islands Itineraries for 14 Days
- The Best Rarotonga & Cook Islands Itineraries for 10 Days
- The Best Rarotonga & Cook Islands Itineraries for 7 Days
Finally, plan the rest of the logistics for a Cook Islands getaway with The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide.
Author
Laura S.
This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as the Cook Islands. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Raro’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.