Dive
Centers & Accommodations
Rarotonga,
Cook Islands
|
View Cook
Islands RL in a larger map
General
Information
Kia Orana - Welcome
to the Cook Islands!
The Cook Islands are comprised
of 15 beautiful islands in the
heart of the South Pacific with
just 14,000 residents. These unique
and friendly Polynesians have
their own language and government
and enjoy a vigorous and diverse
culture with significant differences
between each island. Despite some
70,000 visitors a year to the
capital island Rarotonga the Cooks
are largely unspoiled by tourism.
Rarotonga and Aitutaki are excellent
for diving, snorkling. The outer
reef area offers a diverse range
of diving conditions. Canyons,
caves and many varities of coral
make it a most unusual terrain.
There are also wrecks to explore
and fish to hand feed. Combined
with warm water temperatures year
round, this a truly inviting destination.
Favorite dive spots to name but
a few are the Ngatangiia Swimthroughs,
the Matavera Drop-Off, the Mataora
Wreck, the Papua Canyon, the Sand
River and the Koromiri Coral Garden.
The abundant reef life among 73
types of live coral features hundreds
of fish species, a bonanza for
underwater photographers. Experts
rate the reef drop-off as the
highlight for divers off Rarotonga.
This begins at about 100 feet
and plunges down to 12,000 feet
-- Rarotonga is an extinct volcano.
All diving is land based with
the diving boats in the 16 to
22 ft (5 to 7 meter) size range
offering personalized diving.
Trips usually depart in both the
morning and afternoon.
Climate April to October average
68 - 78F 20 - 26C November to
March average 71 - 82F 22-28C
Water Temp 71 - 85F 22 - 29C
Visibility Up to 150+ ft 45+ m
Getting
There
Air New Zealand & Air Rarotonga
Flight
Schedules
Departure
Tax
Upon departure all visitors will
be charged the following taxes:
Adults NZ$25.00, Children under
12 years NZ$10.00, Children 2 years
and under are free of charge. This
must be paid upon departure, and
is not included as part of prepaid
taxes with airline tickets.
Entry Requirements
A bona-fide visitor (any person
who enters the Cook Islands solely
for recreation or vacation/holiday),
does not require an entry permit,
provided he/she possesses proof
of onward passage (booked and paid)
for stays of not more than 31 days.
Extension permits are usually granted
for visitors wanting to stay over
31 days. All visitors are required
to have a valid passport, proof
of onward passage, adequate financial
means of supporting stay, and suitable
accommodation. Applications can
be made upon arrival at the Immigration
Department. Extensions are granted
on a monthly basis, up to 5 additional
months only. A fee is payable with
each application within 14 days
prior to the expiration of the permit.
Extensions are granted at two levels.
Up to three months NZ$70.00 (15
years and older), up to five months
NZ$120.00 (15 years and older).
Children under 15 years of age are
exempt from charges but must report
to Immigration for official paperwork
to be completed.
For those wanting to stay in the
Cook Islands longer than 6 months,
must apply for a visa from their
home territory, prior to their arrival
in the Cook Islands. Please direct
applications to :
Principal Immigration Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Immigration
PO Box 105
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Ph: (682) 29347
Fax: (682) 21247
Travel
Tips
Getting Around
As the entire island of Rarotonga
is only 32 kilometers in circumference,
getting around is easy. There are
two main roads on Rarotonga, you
can circle the island on the Ara
Tapu sealed road, through the villages
and past the beaches; or you can
take the older inland road, which
winds through fields of taro, pawpaw,
bananas and local farmlands.
Scooter are a popular, fun way to
see the sights. Scooters as well
as bikes, cars and jeeps are available
from local rental agencies. Driving
is on the left hand side of the
road. Drivers of all vehicles are
required to have a current Cook
Islands Drivers Licence available
from the Police Station in Avarua
on presentation of your own current
drivers licence. Cost NZ$10.00.
The "Island Bus" offers
a convenient low cost methosd of
transport, operating regular schedules
around the island. It will pick
you up and let you off anywhere
on request.
Activities (besides diving
of course)
Shopping
Local products include black pearls,
handicrafts of excellent quality,
colorful clothing and electrical
goods at very reasonable prices.
Dining
Enjoy a variety of Polynesian fare,
as well as many dishes enfluenced
by New Zealand, South east Asia,
India and europe.
The traditional Polynesian feast
is known as the umukai, and involves
baking food in an underground oven.
The umu is the underground oven,
a deep pit filled with scorching
hot stones from mountain streams.
Damp sacking and shredded banana
trunks are placed over the hot stones
which soon causes rising of steam.
The traditional food is known as
kai and consists of chicken, pork,
fish and vegetable dishes. The kai
is placed in the umu, whereupon
everything is covered up with more
leaves and earth and allowed to
steam for around two hours, keeping
in all the natural juices of the
food.
The feast is followed by enthralling
entertainment - kariori. Guests
are greeted with the fast paced
tempo of drums, followed by sensual
dancing by island men and women
dressed in traditional costume.
Sightseeing
Historic and other sightseeing tours
are available.
Deep Sea Fishing
The waters offshore are ideal conditions
for wahoo, barracuda. dolphin fish,
yellowfin and skipjack tuna, sailfish
and marlin. Inshore look for bonefish,
trevally, cod, snapper and other
reef fish.
Windsurfing
Many resorts offer windsurfing equipment,
or it can be rented from a number
of local specialists.
Cruises
Inter island excursions, day cruises,
glass bottom boat tours are all
available.
Hiking
Enjoy cross island walks, mountain
hikes and beautiful waterfalls.
Horseback Riding
Ride the island trails, along the
beach, and past waterfalls.
Golf
Play 9 holes at the Raratongan Golf
Club. There are pro shops and rental
equipment is available.
Helpful Tips
Dress
Although dress is informal, swimsuits
or revealing attire should not be
worn when visiting town or villages.
Nude or topless sunbathing is also
offensive. And while the Cook Islands
have a tropical climate, a light
sweater may come in handy for the
cooler evenings during July and
August.
Electricity
Voltage is 220 AC/50 cycle, the
same as New Zealand and Australia.
In some cases, a two pin adapter
may be required. Some hotels and
motels have provisions for 110 volt
AC electric razors.
Water
Some visitors prefer to boil water
before use, but it is not necessary.
Bottled water is available from
the local shops for those who wish
to purchase.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected and is contrary
to Cook Islands custom.