The 5 Largest Islands in the Cook Islands

What are the Biggest Islands in the Cook Islands?

Who doesn't like a bit of geography? In this quick guide, we list the five largest islands in the Cook Islands. Whether you're planning a trip to the Cook Islands yourself or are just a geography buff, this list is sure to help with your research.

We also include the highest elevations in the Cook Islands, as well as island circumferences and widths, should you find that useful.

For an overview of all of the islands in the Cooks, check out What are the 15 Islands in the Cook Islands?

This article is based on real on-the-ground research, not on AI scraping old content from the internet. Learn how we use AI!

1.Rarotonga (67.39 km2/26.02 mi²)

The 5 Largest Islands in the Cook Islands

Rarotonga is the largest island in the Cook Islands at 67.39 km² (26.02 mi²). The kidney-shaped island is 11.2 km (7 mi) wide from east to west and has a circumference of 32 km (20 mi).

Its highest point is Te Manga at 658 m (2,159 ft) above sea level. Learn how long it takes to get around Rarotonga our guide to Rarotonga Travel Times & Distances, as well as how to hike up Te Manga in the 10 Best Walks in Rarotonga.

2.Mangaia 51.8 km² (20 mi²)

Around 203 km (126 mi) southeast of Rarotonga, Mangaia is the second-largest island in the Cook Islands and smaller than Rarotonga. Mangaia has a land area of 51.8 km² (20 mi²) and reaches 169 m (184.8 yards) above sea level near the centre of the island.

It has a circumference of around 30 km (18.6 mi). Learn more about visiting Mangaia in The Complete Travel Guide to Mangaia along with activities in the 15 Best Things to Do in Mangaia.

3.Atiu (26.9 km²/10.4 mi²)

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Lying 214 km (133 mi) northeast of Rarotonga, Atiu is the Cook Islands' third-largest island with a land area of 26.9 km² (10.4 mi²). This coral atoll has a circumference of approximately 25 km (15.5 miles) and is surrounded by a 91 m (99.5 yards) wide reef.

The edge of the islands is roughly 5 m (5.5 yards) and rises to about 20 m (21.9 yards) in the centre of the island. Learn more about visiting Atiu in The Complete Travel Guide to Atiu and the 20 Best Things to Do on Atiu.

4.Mitiaro (22.25 km²/8.59 mi²)

Around 263 km (163 mi) northeast of Rarotonga is Mitiaro. The Cook Islands' fourth-largest island at 22.25 km² (8.59 mi²), Mitiaro is just 6.4 km (4 mi) wide from north to south.

The coral atoll, like Atiu, has a fringing reef reaching 6 to 12 m (6.6-13.1 yards). The island's highest point is 10.9 m (11.9 yards). Find out more about visiting Mitiaro in The Complete Travel Guide to Mitiaro and the 15 Best Things to Do in Mitiaro.

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5.Aitutaki (18.05 km²/6.97 mi²)

Although Aitutaki is the fifth-largest island in the Cook Islands at an area of 18.05 km² (6.97 mi²) including its 15 islets, it is the second-most populated after Rarotonga. Aitutaki also has a lagoon with an area of around 50-74 km² (19-29 mi²).

The main island of Aitutaki is a hook shape with its longest sides measuring around 12 km (7.5 mi) in length. The island's highest point is Manuapu at 124 m (135.6 yards), which is a 30-minute hike. Find out more about Aitutaki in The Complete Travel Guide to Aitutaki and the 20 Best Things to Do on Aitutaki.

More About the Largest Islands in the Cook Islands

That's it for our list of the largest islands in the Cook Islands. Learn more about the islands in our other island guides:

Finally, plan your complete trip to the Cook Islands following our comprehensive guide, The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide.

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Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across 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

Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council

Tourism trade association

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration

Visa and immigration advice

Ministry of Finance & Economic Management

Border restrictions advice

Ministry of Agriculture

Biosecurity advice

Cook Islands Meteorological Service

Weather forecast and warnings

Cook Islands Statistics Office

Statistics and travel data

Ministry of Transport

Transport operators and licenses

SPTO

Pacific tourism advice

Safe Travel

New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands

Smart Traveller

Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands

Atiu Tourism Industry Council

Regional tourism website

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

About The Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars and a keynote speaker at events with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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