photo credit: geraintandkim

Island Destinations – Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are in the South Pacific Ocean, Northeast of New Zealand. The Cook Islands consist of fifteen small islands in this South Pacific Ocean and they are a self governing democracy with the New Zealand. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean. Aitutaki, Rarotanga, Taranaki, Pukapuka and Palmerston are the main population centre in this region. Tourism is the country’s number one industry, apart from pearls, marine and fruits.

There are fifteen major islands, divided into two distinct groups: the Southern Cook Islands, which consists of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, Rarotonga, Palmerston, Manuae, Mitiaro and Takutea and the Northern Cook Islands which consists of Manihiki, Nassau, Penrhyn Island, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, and Suwarrow. Aitutaki is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands The shape of the Island takes the shape of an equilateral triangle. Aitutaki is famous for its lagoon, almost uninhabited islands and its beautiful beaches. Another advantageous point is that it has been spared by mass tourism.

There is also an old church and some gigantic Banyan Trees on this Island.

One Foot Island, a small islet in the Southeast, is often said to be the most important attraction. It provides the best views of the Aitutaki lagoon and depending on the tide one can walk on a sandbank a decent distance away from One Foot Island.

There are two other noteworthy islets namely Rapota and Moturakau.

Mangaia is the southern most of the Cook Islands and the second largest, after Rarotonga.

It is also told to be the oldest island in the Pacific according to the Geologists. This Island is renowned for its coconuts. Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands and the important establishments like the Airport and the Parliament buildings are located on this Island.

Palm studded white sandy beaches occupy most of the island and there is a popular cross island walk that connects Avatiu valley with the south side of the island. This walk passes through

Te Manga, the prominent Needle shaped rock visible from the air and some coastal areas. It should be noted that Rarotonga has only two bus routes: Clockwise and Anti-Clockwise and the driver’s pickup and drop anyone anywhere along the route. Manihiki is known as the Island of Pearls and is said to be one of the group’s loveliest islands.

Penrhyn Island is the most remote Island of all the 15 of the Cook Islands This Island is also called as the Tongareva, which is its original name.

Rakahanga is one of the most unspoiled places on earth.

The Cook Islands are known for Diving, the beautiful nature, and dining.

The universal language in these islands is English though the native language is Cook Islands Maori.

photo credit: goldberg

photo credit: robertpaulyoung

Pacific Islands

The Pacific Ocean consists of more than 25,000 islands. Those lying south of the tropic of Cancer but excluding Australia are traditionally grouped into three divisions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Inhabitants of these islands are referred to as Pacific Islanders.

Micronesia means small islands. These include the Islands of Marianas, Guam, Palau, the Marshall, Kiribati, Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Most of these lie north of the equator.

Polynesia means many islands. These include the islands of New Zealand, the Hawaii, the Midway, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, the Cook, French Polynesia, and Easter. It is the largest of the three zones.

Some of the famous islands in this region are:

1. Cook Islands
2. Tahitian
3. Samoa
4. Tonga
5. Ile des pins
6. Fiji
7. Vanuatu
8. Solomon
9. Papua New Guinea

There are also many other islands located within the boundaries of the Pacific Ocean, but these are not considered part of Oceania. These include the Galápagos of Ecuador; the Aleutian in Alaska; the Russian islands of Sakhalin and Kuril Islands; Taiwan; the Philippines; those in the South China Sea; most of them in Indonesia; The inhabitants of these places are not considered to be Pacific Islanders and are usually identified with their nearest continent.

There are so many to mention but this page is not enough to explain them all.

So, get ready for one good, once in a life time experience in these islands. Remember you have more than 20000 islands to discover and spend your valuable time with the nature and with your loved one.

Hope you have a nice time!

Author Praveen Nata

More inspiration for travelling to Pacific Islands

photo credit: robertpaulyoung

Fiji, the most well known of all is itself a group of about 330 islands. So if you are looking to enjoy an island vacation, the luxury islands of the Pacific would have to be the natural choice.

There’s something about an island that makes it easy to shed stress and enter a bubble of peace that incorporates heady fragrances, lush blooms, and the intoxicating smell of the ocean. The islands of Fiji bring this magic to life with their unspoilt natural beauty and vast expanses of silvery beaches glimmering under the tropical sun. What proves to be even more of a balm to the senses is the extreme acceptance and affection of the local people, who simply exude a natural bonhomie.

A variety of ethnicities call Fiji home and merrily add to the cultural melting pot that is evident in the cuisine, the dress, and mannerisms. However, one and all will greet you with a ‘Bula!’, welcoming you to participate in the fiesta that’s Fiji.

New Caledonia succeeds in blending a whiff of French in to its tropical ambience, to create a heady mix that spells vacation with a capital V. Prepare to enjoy French cuisine and excellent wine while revelling in the warmth of the tropical sunshine. Luxury hotels dot its beaches at strategic locations and its striking mountain ranges give you a change of scene. The special attraction here is the world’s largest lagoon with over a thousand varieties of marine life and a 1600 km long barrier reef. If you’re crazy about water sports, you’ve come to the right place.

Somewhere between New Zealand and New Caledonia is a hidden gem of tranquillity, also known as Norfolk Island, undeniably the creme de la creme of the luxury island holidays in the Pacific. Majestic pines tower atop picturesque cliffs, overlooking turquoise lagoons and emerald golfing greens, to give you yet another take on tropical beauty with a subtle difference. A popular getaway and honeymoon destination, this luxury island has its share of extravagances to suit all wallet sizes.

Tahiti is simply a rhapsody in blue that will sway your senses and blow you away. Tiny islands float ephemerally like pockets of paradise let loose for the pleasure of the chosen few. Bora Bora, Taha, and Moorea have luxury hotels and quaint resort style lodgings that blend in with the natural landscape. The lush tropical landscape dotted with lakes and lagoons designed by Cupid himself make this luxury island the ultimate romantic getaway.

A group of 83 islands sprinkled like exotic toppings on the surface of the blue waters of the Pacific are together known as Vanuatu. Be prepared for a change of scenery as you encounter the secrets of this volcanic island. Nothing sinister though; just natural beauty at its untouched, rugged best. Beaches change tones from a shower of Swarovski crystals to silky black. Coral reefs beckon tantalisingly beneath crystal clear water, while on land there are the amazing waterfalls, enigmatic rain forests, and placid lagoons that gleam silently in the sun. Port Vila, the capital, presents lively restaurants, shops, and luxury hotel accommodation.

The Cook Islands are made up of about 15 islands and are a popular destination among the luxury islands of the Pacific. Luxury hotels of all persuasion have been set up by experienced purveyors of good times and comfort to ensure you enjoy your stay on the island. Natural beauty has been left untouched to give you a sense of what the earth must have been like before the discovery of concrete.

The Solomon Islands with their majestic mountains and rivers welcome you to partake of a luxury island holiday like none other. The palm fringed beaches lolling by the aquamarine waters of the ocean are the perfect antidote to stress in the city and all its side effects. Feel the tension fall away from your shoulders as you contemplate the infinity of the horizon. A number of luxury hotels and resorts on the beach make this island the right stopover for some quintessential me-time..

In Samoa the way of life is as eternal as the blue waters surrounding it. Replete with all the features a beach resort can offer, it will probably be the Samoan people that capture your heart. Their friendliness and genuine love soon make you feel like you’re in your own private island. They still haven’t got around to commercialising this piece of paradise they call home and it retains all its unspoilt natural beauty. For the time being, they are just happy to share their good luck with whoever visits.

Author: Justine Richards.

Justine has been a journalist for 20 years and is a contributor to Just The Planet, the online luxury travel magazine for independent travellers. Read more about luxury spas around the world and discover more luxury getaways here.