Everything You Need to Know About Transport on Mauke
Roughly 270 km (167 miles) northeast of Rarotonga, Mauke is only half the size of the Cook Islands’ main island yet feels a world away from the hustle and bustle. After you land on the raised coral atoll in an eight-seater plane, you’ll explore Mauke’s relatively comfortable flattened coral roads via scooter, bicycle or car.
There is no public transport on Mauke, so you’ll almost solely rely on your accommodation provider to organise your vehicle rental, airport transfers and/or guided tours to those harder-to-reach places. Learn more about how to get to and around Mauke in this complete Mauke transport guide.
For more Mauke advice, don’t forget to also check out The Complete Travel Guide to Mauke and 15 Best Things to Do on Mauke.
Table of Contents
1. Mauke by Domestic Flight – How to Get to Mauke
The only “real actionable” way to get to Mauke is via plane (we say “real actionable way” because no one recommends you take the cargo ship – not even the locals. More on that at the end of this list). Domestic flights on an eight-seater plane with the Cook Islands’ sole domestic carrier are available from Rarotonga with return flights available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Flights last approximately 50 minutes. Occasionally, Monday and Friday flights from Rarotonga stop at Mitiaro en route to Mauke, and vice versa, which extends the flight time. The flight between Mitiaro and Mauke is approximately 20 minutes.
The cost of flights to Mauke is updated in Domestic Flights in the Cook Islands: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.
© Claire Wilson - Cook Islands Tourism2. Scooter Rental – How to Get Around Mauke
The most available way to navigate Mauke is by scooter. Most of the roads you’ll be using to get around Mauke by scooter are either gravel or dirt roads, but are in good condition.
Scooter rentals are available through accommodations and the Makatea General Store and cost approximately NZ$25-$30 per day. Note that helmets are not mandatory on Mauke (and will not be included in your rental).
A local scooter license is required to legally drive a scooter around Mauke, which you can pick up from the Police Station in Kimiangatau on the main road or use the one that you may have picked up on Rarotonga.
It is a much easier and cheaper process, however, to obtain here than on Rarotonga. However, your license here will be valid on Rarotonga – a win-win! Find out more in our guide, How to Get a Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Scooter License.
© Claire Wilson - Cook Islands Tourism3. Car Rental – How to Get Around Mauke
While less available, rental cars are also a good way to get around Mauke and its generally good-condition gravel and dirt roads. Car rental has the benefit of not requiring a local driving license, and you won’t get soaked when there’s a tropical downpour.
Car rentals are available with Tiare Cottages (see Where to Stay on Mauke) for approximately NZ$70-$80 per day. Get more tips for renting a car in our guide, What You Need to Hire a Car in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
We also recommend that you become familiar with the local road rules, which we outline in How to Drive in the Cook Islands + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com4. Bicycle Rental – How to Get Around Mauke
The cheapest way to get around Mauke (other than walking) is by hiring a bicycle. Cycling around the entire island of Mauke is only a viable option for the fit and healthy, considering the outer road is approximately 16 km (10 mi).
Additionally, the tropical sun can be quite brutal when cycling. However, bicycles can be a good way to cycle through the villages or to the beach from your accommodation. Find out more about where to rent a bike in Cycle the Cook Islands: Where to Rent Bikes & E-Bikes.
© Claire Wilson -Cook Islands Tourism5. Accommodation Transfers (Airport Transfers) – How to Get Around Mauke
The accommodations on Mauke offer complimentary return airport transfers, usually on the back of a pick-up truck. Your hosts welcome you with a floral ei (neck garland) at the airport. You may also receive a brief island orientation tour from your host upon arrival.
© Claire Wilson -Cook Islands Tourism6. Guided Tours – How to Get Around Mauke
Another way to explore Mauke and see the sights is with a guided tour that includes transportation. This also has the added benefit of discovering top attractions, such as the island’s inland caves and the giant banyan tree, that are otherwise difficult to find on your own or require a 4WD vehicle.
As guided tours on Mauke are through locals, rather than a formal tour company, they are best organised through your accommodation once you arrive. They typically cost NZ$30-$50 per person. See what types of tours are available in the 15 Best Things to Do on Mauke.
© Claire Wilson -Cook Islands Tourism7. Cargo Boat – How to Get to Mauke
We leave the mention of catching a cargo boat to Mauke until last because it’s not a recommended way to get to the island, but we still like to give you all of your options. Cargo boats in the Cook Islands are notoriously unpredictable, only leaving Rarotonga for the Southern Group and Northern Group islands once or twice a month.
If your heart is set on the adventure and you have the time to spare, reach out to Taio Shipping at the Avatiu Wharf on Rarotonga to organise your voyage. More information can be found in our Cook Islands Cargo Ship Guide: How to Use the Ferry for Interisland Travel in the Cook Islands.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comMore About Mauke Transport and Getting Around Mauke
That’s it for our guide to Mauke transport with the ways to get around Mauke, as well as how to get to Mauke. If you have more questions about travelling around Mauke, check out the following guides:
- Cook Islands Transport Guide: 15 Best Ways to Get Around the Cook Islands
- The Driving Times in the Cook Islands You Need to Know
- A Travellers’ Guide to Hitchhiking in the Cook Islands
Finally, see where your transport can take you with our itineraries: The Best Cook Islands Itineraries for 2 Week, The Best Cook Islands Itineraries for 10 Days and The Best Cook Islands Itineraries for 1 Week.
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])
- Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - 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 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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