Accessibility in the Cook Islands: Disabled & Wheelchair Access Guide

Last Updated: 16 June, 2025

A Complete Guide to Visiting Rarotonga and the Cook Islands with a Disability

We’ll be honest; with lots of sandy beaches and limited facilities for people with disabilities, Rarotonga is not the most accessible destination for disabled travellers – the outer Cook Islands, even less so. But if you are craving some tropical sun, there are a few resorts on Rarotonga that have “wheelchair-friendly” facilities, providing a glorious place to unwind.

In this comprehensive guide to accessibility in the Cook Islands, we list wheelchair-accessible accommodations, activities for people with disabilities, and offer additional advice for travellers with disabilities.

5 Tips for Travelling with a Disability in the Cook Islands

Stick to Rarotonga – Disabled access facilities are limited on Rarotonga, but even more so in the outer islands.
There is no wheelchair-accessible transport in the Cook Islands for visitors. However, if you provide prior notice (or sometimes not even), drivers are usually happy to assist with folding and storing wheelchairs, finding the most accessible place to sit, etc.
Bring an all-terrain wheelchair if you want to make the most of the Cook Islands’ glorious beaches; there are no all-terrain wheelchair hires in the Cook Islands.
If you need any specific facilities or assistance on tours or at your accommodation, it’s a good idea to contact companies before your visit so they can either provide advice or get themselves prepared.
Come with a travel buddy – Most shops, cafes, restaurants and even pavements have one or two steps that make handling a wheelchair on your own very challenging. You’ll need the assistance of a trusted travel companion to help you with these minor hurdles.

Accessibility in the Cook Islands: Disabled & Wheelchair Access Guide

Accessibility at Rarotonga International Airport

Rarotonga International Airport and Aitutaki Airport are where you’ll perhaps find the best facilities for disabled travellers visiting the Cook Islands. There are staff on hand to assist disabled travellers, even from the moment you land.

While most flight passengers use stairs to access the tarmac, an ambulift is available for passengers in wheelchairs. The ambulift is also used for boarding the plane for your departure flight, where wheelchair users and their families or friends will be among the first to board.

There are disabled-access bathrooms located both inside the arrival and departure lounges, as well as outside the terminals.

Aitutaki Airport is also wheelchair-friendly, featuring a disabled-accessible bathroom (the only public bathroom of its kind on the entire island), and the airport and building are flat and paved. There are no facilities at the airports of the other outer islands, except a shelter.

Learn more about what to expect from Cook Islands airports in our guide, Airports in the Cook Islands: Where Can You Fly to in the Cook Islands?

13 Best Cook Islands Accommodations with Wheelchair Access

Several accommodations and resorts around Rarotonga offer wheelchair-accessible facilities. Note, however, that they by no means meet the same standards as, perhaps, the New Zealand Accessibility Standards for buildings. They are assembled at the accommodation’s discretion.

If you require specific facilities, such as rails in the bathrooms, for instance, or anything else, it’s best to contact the accommodation providers directly. For facilities such as braille, none exist as far as we know.

1. Aro’a Beachside Resort

Perhaps one of the best accommodations for wheelchair users in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, Aro’a Beachside Resort offers two fully accessible units. The bathrooms or “wet rooms” of these units have rails installed, as well as a shower chair.

Their onsite beach bar, Shipwreck Hut, has wheelchair ramps. These villas at Aroa Beach have self-catering facilities and are exclusively for adult guests, as listed in the 20 Best Adults-Only Resorts in the Cook Islands.

Book Aro’a Beachside Resort:

2. Nautilus Resort

The luxury resort features large, spacious villas with private plunge pools, as well as a communal lagoon pool and an on-site restaurant, all of which are wheelchair accessible throughout the resort. There are no rails in the bathrooms, but they do have roll-in showers.

See more lavish stays like this in the 10 Best Luxury Resorts in the Cook Islands.

Book Nautilus Resort:

3. Edgewater Resort & Spa

The largest resort on Rarotonga has a few rooms and self-contained villas that are fully wheelchair accessible, while their on-site restaurant and bar are also accessible. Edgewater Resort & Spa is set along the palm-lined beach of Arorangi, holding a prime position for glorious sunsets.

Rooms are simplistic in their design but airy, with service making up for the lack of aesthetic luxury. Learn more about the resort in The Top 50 Resorts in the Cook Islands.

Book Edgewater Resort & Spa:

4. Motu Beachfront Art Villas

Working in harmony with the locals and the environment, Motu Beachfront Art Villas, or simply Motu, gives back to the local community, with proceeds from your stay going toward healthcare, education, and the arts. The 10 ground-floor “art villas” have a fresh and minimalistic design to emphasise the collection of works in your villa and the surrounding premises.

All rooms are wheelchair accessible, as best demonstrated by the absence of barriers in the villas’ sleek bathrooms (see image).

Check Motu Beachfront Art Villas out:

5. Sunset Resort

Sunset Resort offers multiple accessible accommodation options along Arorangi Beach, renowned for its stunning sunsets. The resort features suites with accessible bathrooms and flat pathways throughout the property.

On-site mobility equipment, including shower handrails, wheelchairs, crutches and chairs for the shower, ensures a comfortable stay for all guests. You’ll love the two generously sized pools and the Anchorage Restaurant, which is not only highly recommended but also serves a complimentary breakfast each morning.

Book Sunset Resort:

6. Resort Tava’e

One of the few properties in Aitutaki that caters to those with limited mobility, Resort Tava’e boasts accessible rooms and paved paths throughout the resort, making it easy to get around this beachfront paradise. There are bathrooms with grab rails, and all units are located on the ground floor.

The resort also features a lifeguard on duty at the beach. This unique feature ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests, particularly those less confident in the water. Find out more about the resort in the 10 Best Resorts on Aitutaki.

Book Resort Tava’e:

7. Manuia Beach Resort

The adults-only boutique resort of Manuia Beach Resort has two units that are to the New Zealand Accessibility Standards. However, the restaurant and pool area have a step or two that are not as easy to access; it’s Ok if you have assistance, though.

All in all, Manuia offers a relaxed yet beautiful adults-only stay, free from pretentiousness. See more like this in the 10 Best Boutique Resorts in the Cook Islands.

Book Manuia Beach Resort:

8. Palm Grove

A boutique resort on the absolute beachfront of Rarotonga’s southern shores, Palm Grove is a popular choice for families and couples. The “Garden Studio” and “Two Bedroom Garden House” don’t have any steps, so are suitable for wheelchair users if these are the only accessibility facilities needed.

Learn more about the resort in the 20 Best Family Accommodations in the Cook Islands.

Book Palm Grove:

9. The Rarotonga Beach Resort & Lagoonarium

Set on the shores of Aroa Beach and within a marine reserve, The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium is wheelchair-friendly, featuring flat, winding garden paths that lead to each of the resort’s accessible facilities, including the restaurant, shop, and conference room.

They have some rooms that are wheelchair accessible, but that’s about the extent of their accessibility.

Book The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium:

10. Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach

The sister resort of The Rarotongan (see above) and right next door, the four-star Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach is your adults-only side of the popular resort complex. The resort offers a refreshing dip in its pool, complete with a swim-up bar, one of only two in Rarotonga.

The airy, high-ceiling suites on the beachfront are truly irresistible, with both levels of suites being accessible to wheelchair users. Like The Rarotongan, that’s about the extent of their disabled access.

Book Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach Resort:

11. Sea Change Villas

A collection of villas designed for romantic getaways, Sea Change Villas each feature a king-size four-poster bed, a spacious shower in your ensuite with showerheads for two, a lounge in front of your private pool, and more. Some villas are easily accessible with a wheelchair, and ramps are also available throughout the property.

Also offering an array of romance packages, Sea Change Villas makes an appearance in the 10 Most Romantic Honeymoon Resorts on Rarotonga.

Book Sea Change Villas:

12. Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa

When it comes to an indulgent getaway on Rarotonga, Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa pulls out all the stops. The villas are wrapped in luxury, each with a uniquely designed private pool featuring waterfall elements, while guests are treated to a welcome gift basket and champagne on arrival.

Most villas have good wheelchair access with no steps for normal access and large showers, but no other accessibility facilities.

Book Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa:

13. Kiikii Inn & Suites

On the north coast of Rarotonga in the village of Tupapa, Kiikii Inn & Suites offers a delightful mix of comfort and accessibility for budget-conscious travellers. They have wheelchair-friendly ramps across the property, as well as rails in useful spots. This charming motel caters to a maximum of three guests per room, featuring well-equipped kitchenettes with fridges, hobs, and microwaves.

For more wallet-friendly options, don’t miss our guide to the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in the Cook Islands.

Book Kiikii Inn & Suites:

Accessibility at Shops, Cafes, Transport, etc.

The facilities for disabled people in the Cook Islands are extremely limited. Pavements (footpaths/sidewalks) are mostly limited to Avarua, where there are limited dips in the pavements, so assistance is needed pretty much everywhere. There is an odd disabled parking spot in the Avarua town centre.

Very few shops have disabled access, only the CITC Pharmacy in Avarua springs to mind.

When it comes to transportation, there are no rental vehicles with wheelchair lifts, and the local bus that runs around Rarotonga does not have wheelchair access. Transport provided on land, such as bus tours, is not wheelchair-friendly, but guides are usually happy to assist wheelchair users and find a spot for fold-up wheelchairs on the bus.

There are no rentals for all-terrain wheelchairs in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands. If you have one, it’s best to bring your own to make the most of one of the country’s highlights: its glorious beaches.

4 Things to Do in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands with a Disability

Needless to say, the majority of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands’ highlights are water activities, but there are a few experiences wheelchair users can enjoy. Tour guides are usually happy to assist wheelchair users, but it is often best to have someone who knows you well on holiday with you also to provide assistance.

1. Discover the Cook Islands’ History at the Te Ara Museum

This contemporary museum and cultural enterprise centre in Muri packs in key aspects of the Cook Islands’ history through captivating displays. Te Ara Museum is an affordable, all-weather activity that will only take an hour or so from your day.

Furthermore, it’s one of the few buildings in the Cook Islands with wheelchair-accessible facilities, including a bathroom with rails. Learn more about it in the 5 Best Museums in the Cook Islands.

2. Meander Through the Punanga Nui Market

The Punanga Nui Market of Avarua comes to life on a Saturday morning until noon. The island’s passionate artists, chefs, growers and gatherers come together in a whirlwind of tropical produce, smoothies, barbecued treats, pareu (sarongs) of all colours and locally farmed black pearls.

Most of the market area is paved, but there are some gravel sections where wheelchair users may need assistance. Punanga Nui is not the only market, so check out more in the 5 Best Markets in the Cook Islands.

3. Make an Umukai with Tumutoa Tours

Tumutoa Tours offers an immersive cultural experience on Rarotonga with their “Umu Feast Stringband & Fireshow”. This 4 hrs 30 mins adventure, held Mondays and Thursdays from 3 pm to 7:30 pm, teaches you to prepare an umu (earth oven) feast, weave food baskets, and make coconut cream for ikamata.

Enjoy string band entertainment while cooking, then savour a shared feast and fire show. (A minimum of 20 people is required). Find out more in the 10 Best Cultural Activities in the Cook Islands.

4. Take a Scenic Flight Over Rarotonga

As long as you can get onto a plane with just some assistance, Air Rarotonga‘s scenic flight is an amazing scenic experience to enjoy, even with a disability. Enjoy 30 minutes of circling Rarotonga, getting a wonderful birds-eye perspective of inland valleys and plantations, the towering volcanic peaks of the island’s interior, as well as the encircling turquoise lagoon.

Learn more about the flight in The Best Scenic Flights in the Cook Islands.

More Things to Do in a Wheelchair in the Cook Islands

Of course, all disabilities are different in their limitations, so be sure to have a browse of the 50 Best Things to Do on Rarotonga or 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands to see what you think you will reasonably be able to do.

Where to Find More Information About Visiting the Cook Islands with a Disability

If you need any more assistance or advice for your visit to Rarotonga and the Cook Islands with a disability, then the Cook Islands National Disabled Council may be able to assist. While they primarily work with people with disabilities in local communities, they can also offer advice to visitors. Their phone number is +682 202122, email: [email protected].

Note that there are also Disability Centres on Aitutaki, Mauke, Mangaia, Atiu and Pukapuka.

More About Accessibility in the Cook Islands

That’s it for our full guide to accessibility in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, including information on disability and wheelchair access. For more tips that you might find useful, see the following guides:

Finally, get a complete guide to planning your trip to the Cook Islands from scratch using The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide: Plan a Trip the EASY Way.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the 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.

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