Cook Islands - Kim Williams

Cook Islands, South Pacific Kim Williams Travel Consultant Phone (403) 509-9582 Fax (403) 509-9340 Travel Masters North 1110 Centre St. N Calgary, AB Canada T2E 2R2 kimw@travelmasters.ca
	Rarotonga The majority of resorts and motels are on the main island of Rarotonga (location of international airport), spread out along the circular coastal road around the island. The island is small - only 41 sq. km - so everywhere is assessable and the beaches are good in all parts except the north and north-east coast which is more exposed and swimming is not advisable. Muri Beach in the south-east is the most concentrated tourist area with a tranquil lagoon for swimming and lots of water sports. The south coast is much quieter and has the best snorkelling spots. The west coast also has good swimming and snorkelling and plenty of restaurants as well as the two largest resorts and lots of small motels. Here the sun sets making it an enjoyable evening spot.
Rarotonga Hotels
Cook Island News
The Cook Islands is a country of 15 islands spread across two million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean. The islands are situated in the middle of the Polynesian Triangle of the South Pacific, with the Kingdom of Tonga and Samoa to the west, and Tahiti to the East. The islands vary from “high” (by our standards) volcanic islands with high interiors and close in reefs, to atolls with large turquoise Lagoons, long white sandy beaches and bordered by a string of motu’s (small Islets) The Cook Islands is made up of two groups of Islands, the Northern Group and the Southern Group.	The Cook Islands offer a wide variety of experiences, from something that will appeal to visitors looking for a day in the sun, through to a unique insight into life on remote islands and atolls appreciated by travelers and hardened "island collectors". For each, a visit to our Outer Islands will become a memorable part of their journey to the South pacific Islands. There are definitely no crowds, few telephones and little commercialization.
The fifteen islands of the Cooks (including Rarotonga), are divided into two groups, the Southern and the Northern group. The Southernmost Island, Mangaia, lies 120 miles southeast of Rarotonga just above the Tropic of Cancer, while the Northern- most atoll of Tongareva (Penrhyn) is some 750 miles north of Rarotonga at 9 degrees south of the equator. Nine of the Islands are serviced by air. Travel by ship is not reliable or of a very high standard for passengers. You can fly to Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands on services from New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, U.S.A. and Canada. We are the same distance south of the equator as Hawaii is north of the equator, and share the same time zone. The northern group atolls of Manihiki and Tongareva are home to exquisite South Seas black pearls, while life in Pukapuka is now legend through the literature of Robert Dean Frisbie. The uninhabited atolls of Manuae, Suwarrow and the island of Takutea are visited only occasionally to monitor the marine and wildlife sanctuaries established there. While Aitutaki is famous for its Lagoon, enjoyed by travelers ever since TEAL flying boats plied the Coral route, islands such as Mangaia and Atiu feature makatea (raised coral reef) with spectacular limestone caverns and caves. Aitutaki
The attraction and level of development on each of the outer islands is almost as diverse as the topography with some offering access daily by airlines service and comfortable hotels and lodges, to the more remote which are serviced by infrequent ships with limited and basic accommodation.	Air Rarotonga

kimw@travelmasters.ca
Something you will find wherever you venture in the islands is the warm hospitality and friendliness of the people. Always interested in sharing local culture and learning of other lands and customs.
Links Cook Islands Library and Museum www.cookislands-library.org.ck Pacific Gifts Genuine Cook Islands gifts and souvenirs. www.gifts.co.ck Maui Pearls A world leader of on-line retailing of Black Pearls. www.mauipearls.com Beachcomber Rarotonga's finest collection of black pearl jewellery and a gallery featuring Pacific art and hand made local arts and crafts. www.beachcombercookislands.com Cook Islands Tourism Corporation The official site of Cook Islands Tourism Corporation. Contains Cook Islands travel information, accommodation, activities, calendar, dining out, history, honeymoons and shopping. www.cook-islands.com Pacific Divers Owned by Graham and Christina McDonald who have been operating independently since 1995. www.pacificdivers.co.ck Cook Island Divers Many of our sites are not dived by any other operator. www.cookpages.com/cookislanddivers
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