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Girls Weekend: Our Cook Islands Holiday

Published 16th Dec 2022

If you love a catch up with the girls with a difference, a Cook Islands holiday is perfect for you.  Do you love sipping cocktails by the water, swimming, laughing and lapping up the sunshine? Why not try something close to home with an amazing mix of culture, white sandy beaches to snorkel and fish, themed dinners, hiking, and even mud races in rented buggies! Trust us, you don’t want to miss out.

Contrary to popular belief, the Cook Islands aren’t just for honeymooners! The Cook Islands are home to more than overwater bungalows and beach loungers (though we love that too!) – it is the ideal location for those who just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life, get on a plane, and explore! One of our team recently took a girls weekend to the Cook Islands, leaving her the perfect guide to tell you about some of our favourite things to do on your Cook Islands holiday.

How do we get there, and where do we stay?

Getting there is simple, but there are so many fantastic accommodation options to consider that where you choose to stay is the tricky bit! Daily flights depart New Zealand, and three times weekly flights connecting from major Australian airports. Plus, Jetstar will begin flying direct from Sydney to the Cook Islands from June 2023 – so you could find yourself on a seat to Rarotonga before you have a chance to say ‘Kia Orana’!

Once touching down on the main tropical Island of Rarotonga, make your way to your accommodation. With so many options to choose between Rarotonga resorts and Cook Islands villas, I decided Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa in their Three Bedroom Ultimate Beachfront Villa suited the girls and I best for our Cook Islands holiday!

We caught up after a long time in the privacy of our amazing Villa with our private pool and direct beachfront access. The room was absolute luxury with a full service kitchen we could have easily not left the room – but where is the fun in that!

Te Manava offers complimentary transfers to Pacific Resort, where we decided to spend the night at the famous Barefoot Bar – the clue is in the name! The bar has such a relaxed atmosphere with great music and cocktails, and was the perfect place for us to chat more and soak up the local hospitality.

But don’t worry if your bar or activity of choice isn’t close to your complimentary transfers! It doesn’t matter where you find yourself staying on the island of Rarotonga, it is very easy to get around the island by bus or local cab.

 

But what did we do?

So glad you asked! Our bunch of girls was a split between wanting to see and experience everything the Cook Islands have to offer, and the rest of us just wanting to relax after having such a busy year at work. We made sure to plan ahead to ensure we ticked off as many unmissable experiences to do in the Cook Islands as we could!

Day One!
A slow start this morning after a few cocktails at Barefoot Bar, however we got up and got cracking!

  • Snorkelling is a must. The reef off Rarotonga is amazing, and after a tropical breakfast, snorkelling is a great way to relax while seeing so much!
  • Markets. Now I did not expect to enjoy the Punanga Nui markets nearly as much as I did! We picked up fresh fruit, some gifts for home, and I picked myself and the girls up some matching Pareus (sarongs) because the colours were so vibrant and fun! Also it was very hot, and the locals looked so comfortable in these wrap skirts. A must visit.
  • We capped our night off with a memorable night at the Progressive Dinner. We had thought we were submerged in the amazing culture of Rarotonga, but nothing could compare to being welcomed into our hosts’ houses where they provided us with amazing fresh meals and told stories about what it’s like coming from such a magical place! I highly recommend seeing the Cook Islands from a local’s perspective.

Day Two!

  • First thing is first: get back out on the water! Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruise was the best way to experience the aqua blue lagoon whilst keeping our feet dry.
    Our bellies hurt from the laughing we did with our hosts for the day on the water. We saw a whole range of tropical aqua life including turtles and clams and some of the most amazing coral we had ever seen! With included lunch, and finishing up early afternoon, we happily went back to our Villa and relaxed for a few hours before dinner
  • On our final night we spoilt ourselves and went to dinner at OTB Restaurant! This sand-floor restaurant at Manuia Beach Resort is the perfect spot for a sundowner overlooking the stunning lagoon. The food and service are both fantastic and there’s nothing that says “holiday vibes” than drinking a tropical cocktail with cool sand underfoot!

Coming Home from Our Cook Islands Holiday

Alright, all good things must come to an end. We each went to the airport together, to witness our last sunrise over the Pacific, and headed home sunburnt, smiling and full.

A whirlwind few days on Rarotonga with the girls was just what the doctor ordered, and the Cook Islands was a perfect way to appease that travel bug that had bitten me many years ago.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your own girls weekend, Spacifica travel has amazing Cook Islands travel packages to suit groups of every style and size. Get in touch with our team of travel experts to start planning your own trip today.

Give the team a call today on 1800 800 722!

Written by Jacqui

Photos credit of Cook Islands Tourism, Alexandra Adoncello

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