Why the Cook Islands are perfect for group travel

Planning a group getaway doesn’t have to be hard. With its tropical climate, peaceful vibe and welcoming locals, the Cook Islands are perfect for group travel and offer something for everyone. Yes, even ‘that’ member of the family! No matter who’s on your guest list – young, old and everyone in between – your special event will be one to remember for all the right reasons.

It’s easier than ever to travel to the Cook Island with Jetstar and Air New Zealand offering regular flights to Rarotonga – all you and your guests need is a passport valid for a period of at least six months beyond your departure date. A vast range of accommodation options, from beachside villas to resort luxury, mean you can tailor your holiday however you like. Better still, let the Spacifica Travel team handle the logistics so you can just enjoy the experience.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, milestone birthday, extended family getaway or a much-needed retreat with friends, this Pacific Island paradise will leave an impression you won’t soon forget.

Types of group trips we can help you plan

Weddings and elopements with guests

Organising a wedding is hard enough. Organising a destination wedding is next level! Finding flights, accommodation and activities to suit all your guests has the potential to turn a dream wedding into a nightmare.

Not in the Cook Islands, and not with Spacifica Travel. The team can coordinate travel for groups large and small, including flights and accommodation, leaving you to just focus on what’s important – your big day.

Exchange your vows on a golden beach fringed by turquoise water and palm trees – the perfect backdrop for beautiful wedding photos. Your guests can relax with a cocktail before the reception, at a venue close to their accommodation for extra convenience. A wedding in the Cook Islands is a special day for everyone.

Family reunions

There’s an art to organising a family reunion – you want to be close enough to enjoy each other’s company but have the space available when you need time out. The Cook Islands have you covered, with resorts offering spacious, self-contained villas and adjoining bungalows where you can retreat, and shared garden spaces where you can connect. And being close to family-friendly beaches, you can spend as many or few days as you like making memories with everyone.

Wellness or creative retreats

Sunrise yoga on the beach, meditation sessions with the sound of waves gently lapping the shore, mindful hikes in nature – the Cook Islands offers a variety of options for relaxation and rejuvenation. Many retreats in Rarotonga provide accommodation and wellness activities including yoga and mindfulness. Add a wide range of cultural experiences to the mix and your travel group will leave the islands feeling refreshed and restored.

Friends’ getaways or milestone birthdays

There’s only one thing better than visiting the Cook Islands yourself – sharing the experience with friends. Villas and resorts across the islands cater for larger groups so you can all stay together and enjoy the array of group activities on offer – snorkelling, lagoon cruises, fishing, even private dinners where you can celebrate whatever the occasion may be. Spacifica Travel can help make your special occasion fun and stress-free, with flexible options to ensure everyone has a great time.

Accommodation for groups in the Cook Islands

You’ll have no trouble securing group accommodation on Rarotonga, with its many resorts, hotels and villas catering to group travel of all ages. And there’s the option of booking a self-contained bungalow, private house or villa – the Spacifica Travel team know all the best spots for whatever Cook Islands escape you have in mind. If you’re looking for something quieter, venture to the outer island of Aitutaki which offers a variety of accommodation for smaller groups including family-friendly accommodation options, boutique properties and bungalows.

Getting around as a group

One of the biggest challenges when travelling as a group is transport. Spacifica can prearrange all transport – hire cars, mini-vans, scooters and more. All you need to do is arrive at Rarotonga International Airport and your transport will be waiting. One of the best ways to explore the island is on the local bus service, which circles the island in a clockwise/counterclockwise direction throughout the day so you can hop on and off as you need. A full trip around the island takes 45 minutes. And if you have energy to spare, you can even hire a bicycle for a real island adventure.

Travel tips for planning a group holiday

The key to organising a group trip to the Cook Islands is to start early – it’s the best way to secure flights, accommodation and activities. By booking early you’re more likely to be able to travel on the same flights and stay in rooms or villas that are close together.

Given its tropical location, there’s never a bad time to travel to the Cook Islands, but for beautiful weather and lower prices, aim to book during the shoulder season (April/May and September/October). To save further, you can book during the cheapest season (January – March) which is when most discounted airfares are available.

It’s helpful to assign a group leader – likely to be you if you’re reading this! That doesn’t mean you have to organise everything – Spacifica Travel can take care of that – but rather keep everyone on track to avoid missing bookings for flights and activities.

And while it’s wonderful to share the Cook Island experience with friends and family, remember to plan for some solo time while you’re there to recharge your social battery!

Why book with Spacifica Travel

The Spacifica Travel team are the Pacific Islands holiday experts and experienced in coordinating all the travel logistics for groups small and large. Your dedicated agent can organise group flight bookings, accommodation, transfers and activities, and will be your single point of contact throughout. Knowing the region so well, the team have all the inside information on the places best suited to travel groups.

If you’re planning a group trip to the Cook Islands, reach out to the Spacifica Travel team first and let them help you build a custom group itinerary with flights, accommodation and transport included.

FAQs about group travel in the Cook Islands

Can Spacifica help with group flight bookings?

Absolutely! Having so much choice when it comes to flights to the Cook Islands can make it hard to decide on the perfect one, especially when you’re booking for a group. The experts at Spacifica Travel have the knowledge and experience to find the right flight for you based on your group size, time and budget.

Are there large villas or multi-room properties on Rarotonga?

Finding group accommodation on Rarotonga is easy, thanks to the island’s wide range of resorts, hotels and villas that welcome group travellers of all sizes and ages. You can also choose from self-contained bungalows, private houses, or villas – whatever your ideal Cook Islands escape looks like, the Spacifica Travel team knows the perfect place to match.

Is the Cook Islands suitable for travelling with kids and older guests?

Yes! The islands are safe, the locals are welcoming and there are many accommodation options for children and older guests. Spacifica Travel can take care of all the details to ensure all your guests need to do is pack a bag and get to their nearest airport.

What happens if we’re flying from multiple cities?

Flying to the Cook Islands has never been easier, with Jetstar and Air New Zealand offering flights to Rarotonga. How long it takes to fly to Rarotonga depends on which city in Australia you’re coming from and which flight you choose. Sydney is the only Australian port to offer direct flights, so your group will need to fly there first or travel via Auckland. Spacifica Travel can tailor flights for each guest from anywhere in the country, so that you can fly together.

Can you add extra nights for some people in the group?

Yes! The Spacifica Travel team can tailor packages to suit individual members of your travel group who may want to stay a little longer.