The Best Experiences in the Cook Islands for Couples
A scattering of 15 jewels in the South Pacific Ocean, the Cook Islands is a breathtaking array of lagoons, uplifted coral atolls and volcanic islands that offer some of the most stunning backdrops for a romantic getaway. But the scenery of these tropical paradises is just the beginning. Not only does the Cook Islands offer a stunning array of couple-centric accommodations but there are plenty of experiences to be shared and memories to be made. Whether you’re an adventurous couple or simply looking for ways to relax together, this curation of the most romantic things to do in the Cook Islands conveys experiences suitable for any couple.
While you’re here, don’t forget to bookmark The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to the Cook Islands with more couple-centric holiday advice.
1. Cruise the Aitutaki Lagoon at Sunset
One of the most romantic places in the Cook Islands (and dare we say, in the world?), the Aitutaki Lagoon, of course, tops this list of the most romantic things to do in the Cook Islands. Take the romantic element a little further in Aitutaki with a private sunset cruise with Kutekute Island Tours & Transfers. Snorkel among beautiful coral, enjoy a relaxing float on a water hammock and indulge in a private sunset platter on the beach. Alternatively, Teking Lagoon Tours offers a short-but-sweet sunset tour with a bottle of bubbles. Whoever you choose to cruise, the Aitutaki Lagoon at sunset is sure to blow you away… Discover more romance in Aitutaki using the 10 Most Romantic Things to Do on Aitutaki.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com2. Indulge in a “His and Hers” Massage
Soothe the senses and rejuvenate together with a couples’ massage in Rarotonga or Aitutaki. You’ll struggle to find a spa that doesn’t do couples’ massages between the couples’ treatments at the acclaimed Waterfall Spa of Rumours Luxury Villas on Rarotonga and the traditional Polynesian methods used at SpaPolynesia at the Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort in Aitutaki and The Rarotongan. Compare all of the spas available for a relaxing retreat in the 10 Best Places to Get a Massage in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
© Craig Owen - Cook Islands Tourism3. Relax on Secluded Beaches
With extensive stretches of white sand encircling Rarotonga and Aitutaki, it’s never too difficult to find a little piece of beachfront paradise – typically, all to yourselves. But we can’t talk about romantic beaches without mentioning the blissful outer islands. Also known as the “Pa Enua”, the islands less visited, such as Mangaia, Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke have beaches so pristine and so secluded that they are, by far, the most romantic in the Cook Islands. The adventure of beach-hopping on one (or all) of these islands should be a definite consideration for adventurous couples. Discover the beauty of these beaches in the 10 Best Beaches in the Cook Islands.
© David Kirkland - CookIslandsPocketGuide.com4. Team Up in a Double Kayak
It’s the ultimate test of any relationship; navigating a kayak together! Kayaks are a staple of beachfront accommodations on Rarotonga and Aitutaki, while kayak rentals are also available in kayaking hotspots, such as Muri Beach. Discover amazing places to paddle in the Top 5 Places to Kayak, pick an accommodation or kayak rental company from the 5 Best Kayak Hires in the Cook Islands and don’t forget to take some snorkelling gear to enjoy the tropical marine life below.
© Craig Owen - Cook Islands Tourism5. Hit the Best Sunrise and Sunset Spots
A special moment shared at the beauty of sunrise or sunset is an effortlessly romantic addition to any trip to the Cook Islands. From the back hills of Muri on the sunrise Arore Trek to the sandy sunset coast of Aitutaki, there are many stunning spots to watch the vivid colour changes of the horizon as the sun rises or sets across the Pacific Ocean. Check out the best spots in the 10 Best Places to Watch the Sunset in the Cook Islands, as well as sunrise in the 10 Best Places to Watch the Sunrise.
© David Kirkland - Cook Islands Tourism6. Celebrate with a Private Dinner on the Beach
Have a special occasion to celebrate or, you know, “just ’cause”? Celebrate it with a private dining experience on the beach. On Rarotonga, the adults-only Crown Beach Resort & Spa offers private dining under a gorgeous decorated gazebo on the beach, while Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort, Aitutaki Escape and Etu Moana all offer private dining experiences on the sands of Aitutaki. Trust us, this experience of dining with your toes in the sand while watching the sunset is readily available – just peruse the 16 Most Romantic Things to Do on Rarotonga, for more private dining recommendations.
© Craig Owen - Cook Islands Tourism7. Explore Glittering Caves
What? Do the Cook Islands have caves? Ah, it’s yet another enticement of the outer islands. For instance, Mangaia is home to some of the largest and most impressive caves in the Cook Islands, adorned with limestone stalactites, stalagmites and, most noteworthy of all, crystalline floors that sparkle like glitter in the torchlight – very romantic until you come across the odd pile of human bones of Mangaia’s ancestors… But we digress! Stick to the sparkles and Mangaia’s caves certainly deserve a place in this list of romantic things to do! Some spectacular caves to visit include Te Rua Rere, Toru a Poru and Tuatini, all of which you can hire guides to lead you through their complex network of tunnels. Learn more about exploring caves in the 10 Best Caves in the Cook Islands. Plus, see more romantic adventures in the 6 Most Romantic Things to Do on Mangaia.
© Taniera - Cook Islands Tourism8. Surround Yourselves in Beauty at Mairie Nui Gardens
Cross the quaint footbridges and into seven acres of botanical paradise at Mairie Nui Gardens. These gorgeous tropical gardens just outside of Muri on Rarotonga provide an effortlessly romantic environment between the lily ponds, intriguing plants and a backdrop of the dramatic mountain landscape. You can also stop by the Cafe & Grill with food flavoured with the garden’s homegrown herbs and spices. Entry to the gardens is by donation, also making it one of the 20 Free & Cheap Things to Do on Rarotonga.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com9. Buddy Up on a Scuba Diving Trip
As an experienced scuba diver will know, it takes two to enjoy diving safely. If you’re new to diving, however, Dive Rarotonga, Pacific Divers and Adventure Cook Islands can show you the ropes (or the tubes?) with scuba diving lessons. Alternatively, enjoy an introductory dive trip together to discover the stunning coral formations and tropical marine life along the canyons of the lagoon’s passages. Learn more about what the dives have to offer in the 5 Best Dive Shops & Operators in the Cook Islands and the Top 10 Places to Scuba Dive.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com10. Be Treated to a Resort’s Honeymoon Package
Sometimes, just relaxing at your glorious honeymoon accommodation is simply a romantic thing to do. Enhance the experience further by letting your accommodation know that it’s your honeymoon; they might include a little extra treat for you! Some resorts and accommodations even offer honeymoon packages complete with pampering experiences and, typically, a bottle of bubbles waiting for you on arrival. Learn all about the Cook Islands’ honeymoon specials in the 10 Best Honeymoon Packages in the Cook Islands.
© Kieran Scott - Cook Islands Tourism11. Create a Unique Piece of Jewellery on the Mangaia Golden Shells Tour
When you disembark your plane at Mangaia Airport, your hosts usually greet you with pupu eis (garlands), rather than floral eis like in the rest of the Cook Islands. That’s because “pupu” or “golden shells” are part of the tradition of Mangaia, where locals collect these tiny shells on the beaches and forests and use them to create unique pieces of jewellery. On the Mangaia Golden Shells Tour, you’ll follow the process of collecting shells and making your own piece of art that makes a memorable gift for your loved one (just a hint).
© Taniera - Cook Islands Tourism12. Watch the “Love Birds” on Birdman George’s Eco Tour
The Cook Islands Maori name for the island of Atiu is “Enuamanu“. You’ll soon see why on an eco-adventure with “Birdman George”. While the tour includes walking historic trails and visiting historically significant sites, the main focus is the ecology of Atiu where George will point out kakerori and colourful kura that he looks after in this island sanctuary. He also points out interesting Atiuan plants and their medicinal uses. At the end of the tour, you’ll arrive at a picturesque beach where George will serve either a tropical spread for a picnic lunch or an umu on a Sunday. See more like this in the 7 Most Romantic Things to Do on Atiu for Couples.
© Cook Islands Tourism13. Tackle a Hike Together
Walk the verdant jungle trails, hand-in-hand, on the inland hikes of Rarotonga, up the “mountain” on Aitutaki or across the island of Mangaia. From the half-day excursion of the Cross Island Trek to the perfect sunset views from the Raemaru Track, the Cook Islands sure has a ton of rambling wonders to enjoy. A real treat for couples is the sunrise hike with Arore Mountain Adventures, offering a unique view of the Muri Lagoon on a guided sunrise hike. Compare all of the trails mentioned and more in the 10 Best Walks & Hikes in the Cook Islands.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com14. Ride Together (or Race Each Other) on a Raro Buggy or Quad Tour
Whether you want to team up in a 4WD buggy, cosy up on a quad bike or drive individual vehicles, Raro Buggy Tours and Raro Quad Tours are your opportunity to let loose on an off-roading vehicle, get muddy and explore the inland tracks of Rarotonga. You’ll definitely be eased into the chaos, however, with the 1.5-2-hour buggy tour or 2.5-3-hour quad tour starting with a slow-paced yet interesting history tour of the old Sheraton Resort site before heading inland to plantations and dirt tracks including a stop at the Papua Waterfall (Wigmore’s Waterfall). Discover more adventures together in the 10 Best Adventure Activities in the Cook Islands.
© David Kirkland - Cook Islands Tourism15. Have a Life-Changing Experience Swimming with Turtles in Rarotonga…
Guarantee a sighting of gorgeous sea turtles in their natural environment on one of Rarotonga’s turtle swimming tours. Guided tours will take you out to prime turtle habitat that is otherwise dangerous to go on your own to see usually no less than 10 turtles swimming among the coral. There are plenty of turtle tours to choose from like Ariki Adventures (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor) with their sea scooters to Go Local Tours providing as much time in the water as you choose. For a more intimate experience, choose a private turtle tour with Charlotte Piho Photography Experiences (on Viator and Tripadvisor). There are several options for turtle swimming across Raro, so be sure to compare using the 7 Best Turtle Swimming Tours in the Cook Islands.
© Charlotte Piho - CookIslandsPocketGuide.com16. … Or a Lifechanging Experience Swimming with Whales in Aitutaki
Every year between July and October, Aitutaki’s warm waters provide shelter for humpback whales migrating from the Antarctic to raise their young. See these gentle giants for yourself and even have the privilege of swim with them on a whale excursion with Wet & Wild or Bubbles Below. While snorkelling with the whales feels like a solitary experience, you’ll have a lot to talk about together after the matter – trust us! Discover more about the tours in the 7 Best Whale Tours in the Cook Islands.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com17. Bathe in the Sulphur Pools of Vai Marere
The only sulphur pool in the Cook Islands, Vai Marere on the island of Mitiaro is known among the locals for its healing minerals. Bathe in the healing waters yourself by finding this cave pool just a 10-minute walk from the island’s main village, Mangarei. It looks small from the roadside, but as you go down the concrete stairs, the cave opens up into a relatively large cavern with stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Discover more gems on the island in the 15 Best Things to Do on Mitiaro.
© Daniel Fisher - Cook Islands Tourism18. Watch the Muri Lagoon Light Up on a Night SUP Tour
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a romantic endeavour no matter the hour, but at night with your SUP’s LED lights illuminating the lagoon waters beneath you… Oh boy! Both Ariki Adventures and KiteSUP offer wonderful night SUP tours on Rarotonga’s Muri Lagoon, Ariki Adventures focussing more on the nature of the uninhabited island they visit while KiteSUP includes a fire show on an uninhabited island. Learn more about the SUP experiences in the 6 Best Paddleboard Tours & Hires in the Cook Islands.
© David Kirkland - Cook Islands Tourism19. Take a Tiki Tour Around the Islands by Scooter
Imagine snuggling up to your loved one on the back of the most endearing (and famous) way to travel around the Cook Islands; by scooter! Rarotonga and Aitutaki both have historical sites, scenic inland roads and all sorts of hidden gems to discover along the way, while only some of the outer islands have roads that are comfortable to ride on a scooter (despite all the locals still doing it). Check out sights to stop at in A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Rarotonga, A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Aitutaki, Trip Around Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke and Mitiaro.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com20. Stargaze Under Some of the World’s Clearest Skies
When night falls and the sky is clear, the universe puts on the most mesmerising show made all the clearer thanks to the Cook Islands’ limited light pollution. Head out on the beach or simply look up from your accommodation on a clear night and enjoy the show. If you can time your visit between late April and late May, the Cook Islands capture amazing views of the Eta Aquariids meteor shower. See the 5 Best Spots for Stargazing in the Cook Islands for locations for stargazing.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comMore Romantic Things to Do in the Cook Islands for Couples
See, we’ve got your back when it comes to romantic things to do in the Cook Islands and activities in the Cook Islands for couples. Want to know how you’re going to put all these activities together? You might want to check out our couple-centric itineraries:
- Cook Islands Romance Itinerary: 14 Days
- Cook Islands Romance Itinerary: 10 Days
- Cook Islands Romance Itinerary: 7 Days
- Cook Islands Romance Itinerary: 5 Days
- Rarotonga Romance Itinerary: 3 Days
Finally, anything we might have missed can be found in The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to the Cook Islands, while accommodation is listed in the 20 Most Romantic Wedding & Honeymoon Resorts in the Cook Islands.
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