FINDING PARADISE
How to get to the Cook Islands
The unspoiled beauty of the Cook Islands is in no small part due to their remoteness. But that doesn't mean they're isolated from the rest of the world. With a bit of careful planning, they're accessible from wherever you live.
That said, it has become less easy post-Covid to get there by air from the USA and Europe as Air New Zealand no longer has a service out of Los Angeles which was a popular hub. But there are now direct flights from Sydney, Australia and from Honolulu in addition to those from the long standing gateway of Auckland, New Zealand. Cook Islands Tourism hope both new routes will make it easier for US and European travellers to reach the islands and the Sydney flight has significantly boosted visitor numbers from Australia.
The Covid vaccination requirement for entry has now been dropped and all islands are open.
All flights are to the capital island, Rarotonga. If you want to visit the other islands, click the button below for information about where it's practical to visit and where it's not impossible but quite difficult
EXPLORE THE ISLANDS
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information on this page is for guidance only and is provided in good faith. Airlines sometimes change their schedules without much warning, so always check with them for up to date details
FROM NEW ZEALAND
This is still the most used route although the Cook Islands government is concerned about the high cost of the Air New Zealand flights.
It typically takes 3 hours 45 minutes outbound and around four and a half hours on the return leg if you depart from Auckland. Remember also that you'll "gain" or "lose" a day as you cross the international dateline, depending on your direction of travel. And the reverse will happen on your return journey. Air New Zealand are operating flights at least once a day. They also have services from Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown which connect in Auckland, and a service to Aitutaki via Rarotonga with the domestic leg flown by Air Rarotonga
Low cost Australian carrier, Jetstar (the budget arm of Qantas) has flights between Auckland and Rarotonga. They operate three times a week, departing Auckland Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Photos are not necessarily representative of the aircraft type operated on the Rarotonga route
FROM AUSTRALIA
Jetstar has started the first non-stop flights since the early 1990s between Sydney and Rarotonga. The five hour long flights depart Sydney on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at
9.30 pm, arriving in Rarotonga at 7am the same day. The return service departs
Rarotonga at 9 am arriving back in Sydney at 12.30 pm the following day (all times local to the departure/destination). FROM MAY, 2025 the airline is adding a fifth weekly flight on Saturday for the peak season (May to October).
Currently, Air New Zealand, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have services from Australia which connect with those operated out of Auckland, New Zealand. What may put you off though is a long midnight stopover in Auckland with some flights. Before the pandemic, Virgin Australia had direct flights and now have code share arrangements with both Qantas and Air New Zealand rather than operating their own services
FROM OR VIA TAHITI
There are two flights a week from Papeete which are a joint venture between Air Tahiti and Air Rarotonga. Air Tahiti operate the one departing Papeete at 1125 am on Saturdays, returning on Sundays at 1155 am. Air Rarotonga operate the other departing Rarotonga on Tuesdays at 220 pm and returning at 1040 am on Wednesdays. In both cases, small jet aircraft are used.
NEW SERVICES: From 29 June until 28 December, 2025 the number of flights will be doubled to four a week. Air Rarotonga's Managing Director, Ewan Smith sees it as important in opening doors to travellers particularly in the Northern hemisphere. Air Tahiti is hoping forthcoming promotional activities in the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany and Italy will encourage more visitors from those areas to discover the Islands.
FROM THE USA AND CANADA (via Honolulu)
Hawaiian Airlines flies direct to the Cook Islands from Honolulu once a week. The flight departs Honolulu (Oahu) on Saturdays at 4.35 pm and arrives in Rarotonga at 10.55 pm the same day. The return service departs Rarotonga at 11:30 pm. on Sundays with a 5.35 am Monday arrival in Honolulu (all times local to the departure/destination). There are also be services from other US gateway cities to connect with the flights to Rarotonga. CHANGES FROM 15 JUNE, 2025: The return flight from Rarotonga will depart at the "more civilised" time of 1.05 pm arriving back in Oahu at 7.05 pm. The outbound flight times are unchanged.
The airline was recently acquired by Alaskan Airlines but this shouldn't affect the route or the branding for now. The Cook Islands government hope the new services will help restore the US and European tourist market but it's unlikely to be an attractive option for those in the UK and Europe for whom it means a longer and more expensive journey.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAX FLIGHT?
Prior to the pandemic, Air New Zealand had a direct flight from Los Angeles to Rarotonga every Saturday, typically taking about nine and a half hours. The Tourism CEO has told me there are no plans to resume this service.
FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD
The best advice for those wanting to visit the islands from anywhere else in the world is to contact your travel agent or preferred airline. It's essential you also check with your own government about any Covid-related restrictions on travel which apply to your country even though there are no Cook Islands imposed restrictions any more.
Round the World tickets tickets offer substantial savings over what you would pay if you booked each flight separately and the Cook Islands can be included in some of those tickets. Again, check with your travel agent or airline
VISA REQUIREMENTS
AND OTHER ESSENTIAL INFO
ENTRY BY SEA
Several cruise lines often have one or more of the Cook Islands on their itineraries (most often Rarotonga) and travel agents and operators can advise you about this. The Islands are also popular with yachties. Entry by sea is allowed only through the designated ports of entry which are currently: Rarotonga (Avatiu and Avarua Wharfs), Aitutaki, Atiu, Manihiki (Tukao and Tauhuna Wharfs), Pukapuka and Penrhyn. These are subject to change and indeed have changed several times since Covid. There are severe penalties for unauthorised entry.
For the latest health controls information, go to the Cook Islands Government website More information for marine craft is here. Visiting yachts must also comply with entry and departure laws. Contact the Cook Islands Customs Service for details and advice