Southern Cook Islands

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Cook Islands Tourism
Photo provided by Cook Islands Tourism
Aitutaki featuring tropical scenes and a sandy beach
Aitutaki which includes tropical scenes as well as an individual male
Aitutaki showing performance art and night scenes
Aitutaki featuring a pool and night scenes

Where to stay in Southern Cook Islands

Arorangi featuring kayaking or canoeing and general coastal views

Arorangi

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

Arorangi is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Aroa Beach and Black Rock.

Arorangi
Ngatangiia

Takitumu District

While visiting Takitumu District, you might make a stop by sights like Muri Beach and Muri Night Markets.

Takitumu District
Titikaveka featuring tranquil scenes

Tapere of Titikaveka

5/5(4 area reviews)

Tapere of Titikaveka is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Muri Beach and Tikioki Marine Sanctuary while you're in town.

Tapere of Titikaveka
Rarotonga featuring a waterfall and a pond

Takuvaine Tapere

While visiting Takuvaine Tapere, you might make a stop by sights like Cook Islands Library and Museum and Cook Island Christian Church.

Takuvaine Tapere
Avarua showing a bay or harbour and mountains

Avarua

4/5(1 area review)

Beaches, snorkelling and bars are just a few things travellers enjoy about Avarua. Check out Cook Islands Library and Museum or Cook Island Christian Church while you're exploring the area.

Avarua
Default Image

Tapere of Vaimaanga

Travellers like the museums in Tapere of Vaimaanga, and Wigmore's Waterfall is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Tapere of Vaimaanga
The Edgewater Resort & Spa
The Edgewater Resort & Spa
3.5 out of 5
Avarua, Rarotonga
The price is €145 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
€145
includes taxes & fees
15 Mar - 16 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star beach resort in Rarotonga. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Love the location of this property, staff always helpful and friendly. We did have some challenges parking at times."

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2025

The Edgewater Resort & Spa
Club Raro Resort – Adults Only
Club Raro Resort – Adults Only
3 out of 5
Ara Tapu, Avarua, Rarotonga
The price is €119 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
€119
includes taxes & fees
8 Apr - 9 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach resort in Rarotonga. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (987 reviews)
"The Staff went above and beyond to be friendly and helpful. Everyone of them. Things I didn’t care for was the rediculous prices for drinks, what Happy Hour? Wifi is also an unbelievable rip off. No beach to walk on and tough swimming. They have done a really good job fixing this place up and Adults ..."

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2025

Club Raro Resort – Adults Only
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
4 out of 5
Aroa Beach Marine Reserve, Arorangi, Ara Tapu Rd, Rarotonga
The price is €164 per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
€164
includes taxes & fees
11 Mar - 12 Mar
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free parking, 2 restaurants, and a private beach. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the family amenities ...
7.8/10 Good! (417 reviews)
"The Raratongan Resort was amazing! The snorkeling was some of the best anywhere-hundreds of fish (including so many nurseries with babies), lots of coral, many, many eels, and turtles; the beach was beautiful; the staff and activities were terrific; the room was wonderful; and the breakfast buffet ..."

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2025

The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
See all 365 properties in Southern Cook Islands
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Kia Orana Villas and Spa
Kia Orana Villas and Spa
4 out of 5
2 Ariki Road, Atupa, Rarotonga
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (86 reviews)
"spacious room, well povided - washing machine. espresso etc lovely, helpful staff nice breakfast.,"

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2025

Kia Orana Villas and Spa
Magic Reef Bungalows
Magic Reef Bungalows
3.5 out of 5
Main Road Arorangi, Rarotonga
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Puaikura Beach and Black Rock are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (205 reviews)
Friends Just Wana Have Fun n Relax
"Amazing we loved the property so clean and well presented with everything u need an extras n the bungalow. Friendly staff an very helpful hosts."

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2025

Magic Reef Bungalows
The Cooks Oasis
The Cooks Oasis
3 out of 5
Main Road, Arorangi, Rarotonga
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Aroa Beach and Black ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (84 reviews)
Great small resort.
"It’s always a pleasure staying here. This trip I was in Villa 4. It was great. I’ll request that one in the future being able to self cater is such a plus. Bed is comfy. Everything is clean and quiet."

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2025

The Cooks Oasis
See all properties in Southern Cook Islands
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Muri Beach showing tropical scenes

Muri Beach

4.5/5(5 reviews)

Stretch out comfortably on the bone-white beach while watching the sunrise over Rarotonga’s popular lagoon.

Muri Beach
Muri Lagoon

Muri Lagoon

5/5(5 reviews)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Muri Lagoon during your travels in Rarotonga. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its seafood restaurants.

Muri Lagoon
Aro\'a Beach featuring a sandy beach as well as an individual male

Aroa Beach

5/5(2 reviews)

Leave the bustle of the modern world behind and lounge on stretches of powdery white sand with the transparent Pacific Ocean at your fingertips.

Aroa Beach
Te Vara Nui Village as well as a large group of people

Te Vara Nui Village

Join an interactive experience to appreciate the authentic educational and entertaining story of Cook Islands’ culture.

Te Vara Nui Village
Rarotonga which includes interior views

Cook Islands Library and Museum

5/5(1 review)

Through art and literature, learn about the history and traditions of the Cook Islands in a library and museum run by friendly local residents.

Cook Islands Library and Museum
Aitutaki showing general coastal views as well as a small group of people

Ootu Beach

4/5(2 reviews)

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Ootu Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Aitutaki. You can seek out the snorkelling spots and cycling trails in this relaxing area.

Ootu Beach
Aitutaki featuring tropical scenes and general coastal views

Aitutaki

Photo by JamesThomsen

Palmerston Island