Getting Here: How to Get to the Cook Islands [2023]© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com
Getting Here: How to Get to the Cook Islands [2023]

Getting Here: How to Get to the Cook Islands 🗺️ [2024]

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

A Complete Guide to Sailing, Cruising and Flying to the Cook Islands

You’ve seen the stunning pictures of the jagged volcanic peaks of Rarotonga or the sublime sandy shores of Aitutaki; now you just need to figure out how to get there…

The Cook Islands is located in the South Pacific with 15 islands scattered between French Polynesia to the east and Tonga and Samoa to the west. To go more into the details, check out Where are the Cook Islands Located?

Needless to say, the location of the Cook Islands is remote so you can be forgiven for asking: “How the hell do you get there?!” We’re here to lay out all of your options in this complete guide on how to get to the Cook Islands.

5 Quick Tips for Getting to the Cook Islands

  1. Do you need a visa for the Cook Islands? Find out in our visa guide
  2. Be aware of the biosecurity restrictions – see Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process
  3. Make sure you stick to the duty-free allowances
  4. If sailing to the Cook Islands, be aware of the customs clearance process and fees
  5. Wise up on the ports of call in the Cook Islands, Rarotonga and Aitutaki, if travelling on a cruise ship.

And enjoy a smooth arrival following the steps in Arriving at Rarotonga Airport, Cook Islands: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Getting Here: How to Get to the Cook Islands [2023]© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

International Flights to the Cook Islands

Direct international flights to the Cook Islands come from New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and French Polynesia. Most connecting flights can be made in New Zealand or Australia.

Airlines, Routes and Duration of Flights to the Cook Islands

The following airlines fly to the Cook Islands on the following routes:

  • Air New Zealand – Auckland to Rarotonga (4 hours), Sydney to Rarotonga (6 hours)
  • Jetstar – Auckland to Rarotonga (4 hours), Sydney to Rarotonga (6 hours)
  • Hawaiian Airlines – Honolulu to Rarotonga (6 hours)
  • Air Rarotonga – Papeete to Rarotonga (2 h 25 mins)
  • Air Tahiti – Papeete to Rarotonga (2 h 25 mins).

Learn more about flights to the Cook Islands in Which Airlines Fly Directly to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands?

The International Airport in the Cook Islands

There is only one international airport in the Cook Islands, Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) based on the island of Rarotonga. Learn about its facilities and location in Airports in the Cook Islands: Where Can You Fly to in the Cook Islands? Rarotonga Airport has connecting flights to the outer islands, such as Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mitiaro, Mauke and Manihiki. More details on scheduled flights can be found in Domestic Flights in the Cook Islands: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

Those landing from an international flight in Rarotonga need to go through an arrivals process, including customs, immigration and biosecurity. Learn more about the formalities in our guide, Arriving in Rarotonga: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process.

Airport transfers await arriving international flights outside of the arrivals hall of Rarotonga Airport. It’s best to have airport transfers pre-booked. Check out the 8 Best Airport Transfers in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for all of your options.

Getting Here: How to Get to the Cook Islands [2023]© Cook Islands Tourism

Cruises to the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is on the itinerary of several South Pacific cruises from New Zealand, Australia and the US, as well as round-the-world cruises from the US and the UK. There are three ports of call in the Cook Islands, one at Rarotonga, one in Aitutaki and occasionally one at Palmerston.

Cruises to the Cook Islands

The following cruise companies offer cruises to the Cook Islands:

  • Paul Gauguin Cruises
  • Silversea Cruises
  • Aranui Cruises
  • Seabourn
  • Holland America Line
  • MSC Cruises
  • Costa Cruises

Find out more about these cruises and where they depart in the 7 Best Cruises That Visit Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Ports of Call in the Cook Islands

The most frequented port of call in the Cook Islands is the most populated of the Cooks, Rarotonga. Cruise ships dock outside of the lagoon and transport passengers by zodiac to Avatiu Harbour or Arorangi Wharf as a backup. Tours and rental vehicles can be arranged to depart from port. Discover experiences on the island in the 50 Best Things to Do on Rarotonga.

Closely following as the most visited cruise destination in the Cook Islands, Aitutaki is also on many cruise ship itineraries. Joining a lagoon cruise for the day is highly recommended to explore the lagoon, but you can check out all of your options in the 20 Best Things to Do on Aitutaki.

Visited on occasion, Palmerston is an isolated atoll with a population of only around 30-50 people. The locals are incredibly welcoming and make for a real highlight for any South Pacific cruise. Find out more about the island in The Complete Travel Guide to Palmerston.

Learn more about what makes each port of call amazing to visit in The Complete Guide to the Ports of Call in the Cook Islands.

Getting Here: How to Get to the Cook Islands [2023]© Pxhere

Sailing to the Cook Islands

Finally, another way you can get to the Cook Islands is on a sailing yacht. The Cook Islands is ideally situated at the centre of a Transpacific journey between the US and New Zealand. The yachting season is between May and October.

Cook Islands Sailing Formalities

Cook Islands Customs requires that all yachts arriving from overseas need to submit an Advance Notice Advice (ANA) form at least 48 hours prior to their ETA. There are seven ports of entry in the Cook Islands:

  • Rarotonga: Avatiu Harbour – 21o 12′ South, 159o 47′ West
  • Aitutaki: Arutanga – 18o 51 South, 159o 49′ West
  • Penrhyn: Omoka 08o 51′ South, 158o 03′ West
  • Pukapuka: 10o 50′ South, 165o 50′ West
  • Manihiki: Tauhunu – 10o 25′ South, 161o 03′ West
  • Manihiki: Tukao – 10o 22′ South, 161o 02′ West
  • Atiu: Taunganui – 19o 59′ South, 158o 08′ West

Yachts are also permitted to sail to Suwarrow between June 1 and November 1 if they have applied for a “CICS Form 027” and gained permission from National Environment Services.

All yachts must go through a clearance process, flying the yellow Q flag and reporting to Customs immediately. Yachts must also provide clearance papers (and pay the fees) for all islands visited in the Cook Islands.

For more details on sailing formalities, see our Sailing Guide to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Tips for Yachting.

Getting Here: How to Get to the Cook Islands [2023]© Pixabay

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting to the Cook Islands

What are the most asked questions on the internet about travelling to the Cook Islands? Find out below and see if your question is answered!

How Do You Get to the Cook Islands from the US?

To get to the Cook Islands from the US currently, you need to take a flight from Honolulu (HNL) to Rarotonga, available once a week, or one of the more frequent flights from Papeete (PPT) to Rarotonga via Seattle (SEA), San Fransisco (SFO) or Los Angeles (LAX).

Alternatively, you need to take a flight to Auckland, New Zealand from San Fransico (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), New York City (JFK) or Houston (IAH). Then from New Zealand, flights are available to the Cook Islands daily. See Which Airlines Fly Directly to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands? for more details.

How Do You Get to the Cook Islands from Canada?

To get to the Cook Islands from Canada currently, you need to take a flight to Honolulu, Hawaii or to Auckland, New Zealand from Vancouver (YVR). Then from New Zealand, flights are available to the Cook Islands daily, while flights from Honolulu to the Cook Islands are once per week. See Which Airlines Fly Directly to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands? for more details.

How Do You Get to the Cook Islands from the UK?

To get to the Cook Islands from the UK currently, you need to take a flight to Auckland, New Zealand or Honolulu, Hawaii via Hong Kong (HKG) or Los Angeles (LAX) – these are the airports where you’re likely to find the quickest connections from London Heathrow (LHR). Then from New Zealand, flights are available to the Cook Islands daily, while flights from Honolulu are once a week. See Which Airlines Fly Directly to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands? for more details.

How Do You Get to the Cook Islands from Melbourne?

To get to the Cook Islands from Melbourne currently, you need to take a flight to Sydney (SYD). Then from Sydney, flights are available to the Cook Islands weekly. Alternatively, fly to Auckland, New Zealand where flights to the Cook Islands are available daily. See Which Airlines Fly Directly to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands? for more details.

More About How to Get to the Cook Islands

That’s it for our complete guide on how to get to the Cook Islands! If you didn’t find what you’re looking for, discover more ways to get to specific islands in the Cook Islands with these guides:

Finally, see how to get around all of the Cook Islands once you’ve arrived with our Cook Islands Transport Guide: 15 Best Ways to Get Around the Cook Islands.

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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