Have you ever heard about the outer islands of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands?
If you’ve been following our journey here at Away with the Steiners, you already know that we are absolute suckers for getting off the beaten track. We love finding those rare, untouched corners of the world where time slows down, the locals treat you like family, and nature just blows your mind.
Well, we’ve found a slice of paradise that fits that description perfectly.
Most people fly into Raro, park up on a beach in Muri, and never leave. And hey, Rarotonga is gorgeous! But if you want to experience the true magic of the Cook Islands – the raw, untouched beauty and deep-rooted Polynesian culture – you have to get out to the Outer Islands.
We’ve been lucky enough to visit five of these incredible outer islands, and honestly, it changed our entire perspective on the Pacific. But navigating flights, accommodation, and activities across remote islands can be a logistical headache. That is exactly why we are writing this blog.
We want to share this incredible experience with you, and introduce you to the ultimate secret weapon for your next Pacific adventure: Avaiki Travel.
Meet the Legends: Jack and Kura
Avaiki Travel isn’t just any corporate travel agency. It’s run by Jack and Kura, the brilliant minds behind the legendary Ariimoana Tours.
Over the years, these guys have become very good friends of ours. We’ve joined them on a lot of their tours, and we can tell you firsthand: they do an absolutely incredible job.
Jack and Kura have an unmatched knowledge of the islands. They know the history, the hidden spots, the local characters, and the exact way things work in the Pa Enua (the Outer Islands).
Guided or Self-Guided in the Outer Islands
Let’s be real, organising flights on small prop planes, finding local guesthouses that don’t even have websites, and sorting out logistics in the outer islands can feel daunting.
Jack and Kura handle all of it. They offer both guided tours (if you want them there to lead the way and share their stories) and self-guided tours (if you want to explore at your own pace but with total peace of mind).
Getting Organised
Once you arrive at your destination, they can have your entire trip sorted.
Avaiki Travel prepares all your accommodation needs, local tours, airport transfers, and rental vehicles (scooters or trucks). You literally just have to show up and let the adventure begin.
5 Must-Visit Outer Islands
Based on our own epic travels, here are five incredible outer islands that Jack and Kura can help you explore.
These are the five most accessible outer islands of the Southern Cook Islands:
- Aitutaki: Famous for having arguably the most beautiful lagoon in the entire world.
- Atiu: Known as the island of the birds, Atiu is a place of dense jungle and ancient limestone caves hiding underground freshwater pools. It is the third most populated of the Cook Islands.
- Mangaia: The oldest island in the Pacific and surrounded by a massive ring of fossilised coral (makatea) that creates a dramatic and breathtaking landscape.
- Mauke: Known as the garden island. Mauke is incredibly peaceful and home to some of the friendliest, most welcoming people you will ever meet.
- Mitiaro: A unique island boasting stunning freshwater lakes inside its limestone caves. It’s a place to experience true island life.
The ‘Away with the Steiners’ Stamp of Approval
We don’t recommend things lightly. But Sarah and I, from Away with the Steiners have personally experienced Avaiki Travel experiences multiple times, and we cannot recommend them highly enough.
Whether you want a romantic getaway to Aitutaki’s lagoon or a rugged, caving adventure in Atiu, Jack and Kura will tailor the perfect trip for you. They treat your holiday as if it were their own. They’ll make sure you see the real, authentic side of the Cook Islands without any of the travel anxiety.
Contact Avaiki Travel
To ask questions about these incredible outer islands and the best way to get out there, give Jack and Kura a message and check out their Ariimoana Facebook page and Instagram for other tours:
- Ariimoana Walkabouts
+682 51 871
[email protected]
Final Thoughts: Avaiki Travel
If the Outer Islands have been on your bucket list (or if they are now!), do yourself a favour and reach out to Avaiki Travel. Tell them the Steiners sent you!
Have you ever been to any of the Cook Islands’ outer islands? Which one of these five sounds like your kind of paradise?
Read More About Travel to Rarotonga and the Outer Islands
- 10 Foods To Try In Rarotonga.
- Mauke: A Guide To The Garden Island.
- All About The Rarotonga Bus.
- Hiring A Scooter In Rarotonga.
- Renting A Car In Rarotonga.
- Choosing A Lagoon Cruise In Muri, Rarotonga.
- Rarotonga Reef Explorer Tour With Ariimoana.
- Is Dengue Fever A Worry For Travel To Rarotonga?
- Transport And Getting Around Rarotonga.
Travel Planning for Cook Islands and Beyond
These are the companies we use and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. Easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel including those who have already left home. Make sure you have travel insurance before holidaying to Rarotonga!
Gavin is our people-meeter wherever we go. For all the stories we share about the kindness of strangers in Uzbekistan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and more, it is Gavin that extends a handshake and meets a new friend without even sharing the same language.
