Flung across a 2 million-square-kilometre stretch of wild South Pacific water the 15 tropical gems that comprise the Cook Islands are a day-dreamy holiday destination. With a population size comparable to an average country town, the Cook Islands are effortlessly a place apart from the busy, populated world across the seas. The mix of coral atolls and volcanic islands exude an untouched charm with bush-clad volcanic peaks descending to glistening white sand shores and palm-fringed blue lagoons. The reef-enclosed main island of ‘Raro’ with the endearingly laid-back commercial hub of Avarua can be explored by bus, motor scooter, bicycle or jeep. Further north, the sublime lagoon of Aitutaki will take your breath away with its Pacific-postcard perfection.
Updated: 14 February 2022
There are a few simple steps that travellers must take before and during their holiday, with full details available here.
Children aged under five are welcome in the Cook Islands from 1 March 2022, meaning that people of all ages can enter the country from the start of next month.
Entry Requirement: All visitors must have been in New Zealand or the Cook Islands for a continuous period of at least 10 full days before their departure date to the Cook Islands.
Vaccinated travellers only: All visitors, including children 5-11 years of age must be fully vaccinated, with 14 days post their last shot. Children under 5 years of age do not need to be vaccinated.
COVID-19 test required before departure: Visitors must take an accredited RT-PCR COVID-19 test no more than 48 hours before departure from Auckland and show the negative result at departure and on arrival. Travel to Aitutaki is permitted with all visitors required to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test and show a negative result before boarding their domestic flight.
Contact tracing and pre-arrival forms:
Visitors are required to complete a Cook Islands contact form no more than 96 hours before departing New Zealand. To assist with tracing in the Cook Islands, travellers are encouraged to download the Cooksafe+ Bluetooth app as well as use their personal Cooksafe QR code card issued when they complete the Cook Islands contact form or given on arrival.
