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The 5 Largest Islands in the Cook Islands© Daniel Fisher - Cook Islands Tourism
The 5 Largest Islands in the Cook Islands

The 5 Largest Islands in the Cook Islands

© Daniel Fisher – Cook Islands Tourism

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?

1. Rarotonga (67.39 km2/26.02 mi²)

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 miles) wide from east to west and has a circumference of 32 km (20 miles). Its highest point is Te Manga at 658 m (2,140 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.

The 5 Largest Islands in the Cook Islands© Daniel Fisher - Cook Islands Tourism

2. Mangaia 51.8 km² (20 mi²)

Around 203 km (126 miles) 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 (554 ft) above sea level near the centre of the island. It has a circumference of around 30 km (18.6 miles). Learn more about visiting Mangaia in The Complete Travel Guide to Mangaia along with activities in the 15 Best Things to Do in Mangaia.

The 5 Largest Islands in the Cook Islands© David Kirkland - Cook Islands Tourism

3. Atiu (26.9 km²/10.4 mi²)

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 (300 ft) wide reef. The edge of the islands is roughly 5 m (16 ft) and rises to about 20 m (65.6 ft) 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.

The 5 Largest Islands in the Cook Islands© David Kirkland - Cook Islands Tourism

4. Mitiaro (22.25 km²/8.59 mi²)

Around 263 km (163 miles) 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 miles) wide from north to south. The coral atoll, like Atiu, has a fringing reef reaching 6 to 12 m (20-40 ft). The island’s highest point is 10.9 m (36 ft). Find out more about visiting Mitiaro in The Complete Travel Guide to Mitiaro and the 15 Best Things to Do in Mitiaro.

The 5 Largest Islands in the Cook Islands© Cook Islands Tourism

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 miles) in length. The island’s highest point is Manuapu at 124 m (407 ft), 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.

The 5 Largest Islands in the Cook Islands© David Kirkland - Cook Islands Tourism

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.

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 with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

Contact Robin via our contact page

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