Sea Scooter Safaris and Cross-Island Hiking: Untapped Adventure on The Cook Islands

Yes, I really did cry. But let’s rewind seven days and start at the beginning! My travel buddy Bella and I boarded the new Jetstar direct flight from Sydney to Rarotonga. With fares as low as $349 one-way, we had to jump on this opportunity to fly non-stop to our dream adventure location.

About six hours later we touched down and were warmly greeted by the sounds of a local string band, the smell of fresh fruit, salty beaches, and humidity in the air, and a week of adventure ahead of us.

Here’s our guide to what’s cooking in The Cook Islands.

Culture

The Cook Islands come with a level of hospitality and warmth that’s unmatched. There’s an energy in the islands that immediately calms the soul and celebrates the often overlooked elements of everyday life. Each of the 15 islands that make up the Cooks has its own unique identity and cultural ties to Polynesian heritage. Traditional ceremonies, dances, songs, instruments, and language still play imperative roles in daily life.

When folks speak of ‘Island Time’, it’s a real thing here. The Cooks is a place where time slows down, the speed limit for the whole of the mainland doesn’t exceed 50km/h and no one can build their house higher than the tallest coconut tree. Family and community are valued more than anything else, and the way they show this is through food!

A must-do experience is the Progressive Dinner Tour. It’s a beautiful all-inclusive night of conversation, live music, laughter, and traditional food cooked by three different families in their own homes. If food is love, this is where you’ll find it! My advice is to wear an elastic waistband, as you’ll be dining on a home-style BBQ, fresh backyard-grown fruit, and the national dish: Ika Mata, a raw fish with fresh coconut cream and citrus (often used as a hangover cure!). This one is non-negotiable. You have to try it.

Hiking

Look no further than Pa’s Cross Island Hike in Rarotonga for spectacular views, dense lush jungle, gorgeous waterfalls, and a perfect hike to start your trip. I recommend booking and getting a local guide to lead you from one side of the island to the other. They’ll give you insight into the rich history of the land, medicinal flora, and cultural stories along the way. There’s also an epic optional climb up 20m of fixed chains and ropes to get an insane view from the base of Te Rua Manga (The Needle), which we couldn’t resist!

Although this trip only takes three to four hours, it involves a lot of vertical climbing, so pack plenty of water and some good, sturdy shoes. The shade of the canopy provides relief from the humidity and you’ve got the opportunity to wash off in the waterfall at the end of the hike. There’s a deeply rooted spiritual presence on this hike, and it’s one you have to feel to believe.

Adventure

To explore Rarotonga on your own, you have the option of hiring a scooter from the airport (if you have a motorcycle licence) or you can hire a car. It takes about 45 minutes to complete a full circuit of the island, and I recommend seeing the sunset over the ocean as part of your loop. For a slower pace, you can join a Storytellers Eco Cycle Tour with lunch and a swim included.

Aitutaki

I’ll NEVER forget when we first laid eyes on Aitutaki. It’s the island that stole my heart. The day tour of this magical place includes a return 50-minute flight, a tour on the Vaka Cruise, and a delicious lunch served on board, while being entertained by the string band crew. I also got to snorkel with Giant trevally in some of the world’s bluest water in the pristine lagoon that surrounds Aitutaki. It’s true, these fish are giant, and very quick!

The team also takes you to One Foot Island. Despite being remote, there’s actually a post office there and we recommend getting your passport stamped as it’s one of the rarest stamps you can get in the world! If you prefer the Aitutaki vibe, there’s also accommodation here. Don’t be surprised when you want to stay forever…

Wildlife

The Cook Islands are an absolute tapestry of biodiversity. In the air, on land, and in the sea, no matter what adventure you choose, you’re sure to come across a diverse array of flora and fauna. From the Red-tailed Tropicbird high in the mountains to cheeky hermit crabs in the sand, there’s something to see everywhere you look.

One experience in particular that was life-changing for me, was the Turtle Sea Scooter Safari. If you’ve ever wanted to swim with Green sea turtles in their natural habitat, this close-up encounter is for you. As if it doesn’t already sound amazing enough, I got to glide through the water on a mini sea scooter. I felt like I was dreaming the entire trip. We were also stoked to spot giant clams, tropical fish and majestic Eagle rays.

Gina, our guide from Ariki, noted how ‘majestic and calm the sea turtles make you feel. It’s a great opportunity to see them without interrupting their lifecycle process,’ she tells us. And she wasn’t wrong, I found that there’s something ancient and moving about looking into the eyes of these creatures. Ariki Adventures is also the only turtle tour operator that sponsors ‘Te Ara O Te Onu’, the local Sea Turtle Conservation Society, with 5% of the tour fee going towards environmental conservation.

Water Sports

For a free session exploring the coves, beaches, and smaller islands off Rarotonga at your leisure, head straight to Muri Beach. You can spend a whole day here swimming in the lagoon, relaxing under swaying palm trees, or paddling around with a kayak or stand up paddleboard, as both can be rented super easily.

Grab some snorkel gear and fins and jump into the underwater playground right as you step off the beach. The lagoon here offers a calm and safe environment as it’s protected from ocean currents. It ensures a relaxing dive amongst the colourful coral bommies that dot the sandy floor.

If the shallow waters just don’t do it for you and you’ve got a taste for diving a little deeper, there are also plenty of scuba and freediving tours with about 30 different sites to choose from that are scattered around the outer edges of the reef. This was such a highlight for me that I’ve booked with Dive Rarotonga to go back and dive again!

Out of the Ordinary

There’s always something going on in the Cook Islands. As you make your way around Raro and journey through the streets lined with flamboyant flame trees, you’ll realise that the streets have no names.

My biggest piece of advice is to follow your curiosity. Explore outside of your comfort zone, stop in at roadside fruit stalls and support local businesses, artists, and creators. The daytime Punanga Nui Market or the Muri Night Markets are fantastic places to immerse in a beautiful whirlwind of culture, food, music, art, and conversation. Cash is very welcome on the islands in general, as well as at the markets, so be sure to get some out before your visit.

Talk to locals about their products and their stories. This is where the best learning will happen. Visit small restaurants off the beaten path, challenge the kids at the boat ramp to a manu competition, and please, TRY EVERYTHING!

The new flights from Jetstar take the stress out of travelling overseas and make your journey to this paradise so much easier. You’ve got options to tailor your inclusions so that you only pay for what you want or need, and can save the rest to spend at your destination!

This is your opportunity to go somewhere new – if you haven’t been already! – and jump head-first into a world of fragrant food, vibrant wildlife, hospitable folks, and the most exquisite beaches you’ve ever seen. The laidback and remote nature of the Cooks also means that it’s relatively uncrowded compared to other popular destinations.

The place looks like a screensaver, but it’s very real, it’s very affordable, and it’s waiting for you!

A last word of warning: once you touch down in the Cook Islands, you’re at SERIOUS risk of falling in love and never wanting to return home.