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.
Table of Contents
1. Aitutaki Day Tour from Rarotonga – Tours Between Rarotonga and Aitutaki
Want to island-hop between Rarotonga and Aitutaki in just one day? Air Rarotonga‘s popular “Aitutaki Day Tour” is your ticket to paradise! Departing at 8 am daily (except Sundays), this complete package includes return flights, hotel transfers, and a six-hour lagoon cruise.
You’ll start with a scenic flight to Aitutaki, followed by a guided island bus tour. Then, hop aboard the 27 m (29.5 yards) Vaka Tereiki Moana for The Vaka Cruise (See point #2 below), where you’ll enjoy island hopping, snorkelling, swimming, and beach-combing in the stunning lagoon. Lunch is a mouthwatering barbecue of freshly caught fish and island-style side dishes.
With beach towels and snorkelling gear provided, all you need to bring is your sense of adventure! The tour returns to Rarotonga around 5:30 pm, making it the perfect day trip. For more Aitutaki experiences, check out the 10 Best Tours of Aitutaki.
Location: Tours depart from Rarotonga Airport, Rarotonga, and include all transfers.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com2. 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.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com3. 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.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com4. 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, which includes round-trip flights, all accommodations, all meals, a tour guide, airport transfers, and more. Trips take place on fixed dates, approximately four times a year, accommodating up to a maximum of six people per trip.
Location: Tours depart from Rarotonga Airport, Rarotonga, and include all transfers.
© Niroa Kamana - Cook Islands Tourism5. Kia Orana Cruise – The Cruise That Visits the Most Islands in Aitutaki
Kia Orana Cruise offers an intimate lagoon experience on their small, spacious boat, accommodating four to ten guests. Join “Captain Fantastic” Andrew or his son “Captain Useless” for an adventure visiting iconic spots like Moturakau, the famous Aitutaki sandbank, One Foot Island, and more.
They’ll take you to exclusive snorkelling spots larger boats can’t access and adjust plans for those uncomfortable in deeper waters. The tour includes planting coconuts on Maina sandbank and operates even on Sundays. Please note that tours may be cancelled if winds exceed 40 knots.
Location: Tours depart from the Arutanga Harbour, Aitutaki, and transfers are included.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com6. 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.
See more tours like this in The Best Sunset Cruises in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
Location: Tours depart from Ootu Beach, Aitutaki, and transfers are included.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com7. 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, and transfers are included.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com8. Bishop’s Cruises – The Largest Island-Hopping Cruise in the Aitutaki Lagoon
Bishop’s Cruises offers the largest island-hopping experience in Aitutaki, with options to sail on their 16-passenger boat or 45-passenger catamaran, both equipped with minibars. What sets them apart is their team of mature, knowledgeable tour guides who provide insightful commentary about the Aitutaki Lagoon, perfect for those seeking a more educational cruise experience.
Enjoy a six-hour adventure, including snorkelling stops, visits to heavenly sandbanks, and the iconic One Foot Island. The upper deck of their larger vessel provides stunning panoramic views, ideal for capturing those Instagram-worthy shots. Indulge in a barbecue lunch under the shade of their island hut before exploring One Foot Island at your leisure.
Location: Tours depart from Ootu Beach, Aitutaki, and transfers are included.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com9. 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.
© Alisha Street - Cook Islands Tourism10. 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 5 Best Cruises that Go to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
Location: Cruises depart from Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comPlan 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.
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])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
- Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - 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])
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