Local Time

(Minus) 10 Hours Greenwich mean time (GMT)

Language

Cook Islands Maori (or Rarotongan) is the main language, although most people speak English as well. This makes it an ideal destination for English speaking visitors, as most of the signs, menus and even newspapers are in English.

Dress

• Informal, cool & comfortable
• Brief attire is not acceptable in town or villages (Bikini bra & shorts)
• NUDE or TOPLESS sunbathing is PROHIBITED
• Smarter attire is required for attending church services just as it is in your country.
• Make sure you take reef shoes if you want to explore the reefs at low tide.  BEWARE of “STONEFISH”

Safety

The Cook Islands are safe but never leave your personal belongings unattended.

Health Requirements

Vaccinations are not necessary unless arriving from an infected area.
For further information please contact:
Ministry of Public Health
PO Box 109
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Phone    (682) 29110

Electrical Equipment

The Electricity Authority provides electricity for commercial and domestic use. Voltage is 240 V AC Hz/50 cycle, the same as New Zealand and Australia.  In some cases, a two-pin adapter may be required.  Some hotels and motels have provisions for 110-volt AC electric razors.  North Americans will need adaptor plugs suited for New Zealand to use dual-voltages appliances such as hair dryers
 
For further information please contact:
Te Aponga Uira
PO Box 112
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Phone (682)    20054
Faults 24 Hours    25257
Facsimile        21944
Email:  info@electricity.co.ck

Entry Permits

A bona-fide visitor (any person who enters the Cook Islands solely for recreation or vacation/holiday) does not require an entry permit, provided he/she possesses proof of onward passage (booked and paid) for stays of not more than 31 days.  Extension permits are usually granted for visitors wanting to stay over 31 days.  All visitors are required to have a valid passport proof of onward passage, adequate financial means of supporting stay, and suitable accommodation.  Applications can be made upon arrival at the Immigration Department.  Extensions are granted on a monthly basis, up to 5 additional months only.  A fee is payable with each application within 14 days prior to the expiration of the permit.  Extensions are granted at two levels- up to three months NZ$70.00 (15 years and older), up to five months NZ$120.00 (15 years & older).  Children under 15 years of age are exempt from charges but must report to Immigration for official paperwork to be completed.

Employment, you must be able to find a sponsor in the Cook Islands that are prepared to sponsor you and provide you employment.  Work permit will only be granted if you have specialised skills not readily available in the Cook Islands.  Work contracts may be required be entered into between parties.  Maximum extension is 12 months.  Immigration permits subject to the term of the business proposal.  We do not have any Migration Policy, therefore will not support any person intending to migrate to the Cook Islands permanently.

For those wanting to stay in the Cook Islands longer than 6 months, must apply for a visa from their home territory, prior to their arrival in the Cook Islands.

For further information please contact:
Immigration Manager
Mr Teremoana Mato
Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration
PO Box 105
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Phone    (682) 29347
Facsimile    (682) 21247
Email: trade@mfai.gov.ck

Customs Allowance

No duty is levied on clothing or personal effects (including sports equipment).  In addition, each visitor may bring the following items, free of duty, into the Cook Islands: 200 cigarettes or up to half pound (1kg) of tobacco or up to 50 cigars, 2 litres of wine or 4 and half litres of beer.

Goods with total value of up to NZ$250 are not open to duties, however goods in excess of NZ$250 are liable to duty.

For further information please contact:
Revenue Management – Tax & Customs
PO Box 120
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Phone    (682) 29365
Facsimile    (682) 29465
Email: revman@oyster.net.ck

Taxes & Tipping

All taxes are included in prices and tipping is contrary to Cook Islands Custom, however if you feel the service was exceptional we are like any other country in the world where acknowledgment is appreciated.

Driving

Driving is on the left-hand side of the road.  Drivers of all vehicles are required to have a current Cook Islands Drivers Licence.

A licence is available for $10.00 from the Police Station in downtown Avarua, when you present your own driver’s licence.

If you wish to ride a motorbike while in the Cook Islands and your driver’s licence does not specify that you can ride a motorbike – you will be required to undertake a practical driving test.  This is an additional cost of $6.00.  The maximum speed limit on the road is 20km/h in town (Avarua) and 40km/h out of the villages.

Rental Vehicles

Getting around the main island of Rarotonga is easy – the island is just 32km in circumference.  The motorbike is a popular form of transport for tourists and locals alike, and scoot cars and bicycles can also be rented.  The level roads are well suited for cycling.  Please ride single-file on motorbikes and bicycles, as riding two-abreast can cause traffic accidents.

Diving

Rarotonga offer excellent diving and snorkelling.  Recreational diving was established commercially in the Cook Islands in 1973 and if you have never been diving before, there are qualified instructors who can provide expert tuition.  There are now four full time-operators. 

• All diving is shore based with the diving boats in the 5-7m size range.  Trips usually depart in both the morning and afternoon.  There is also a limited amount of night diving available.
• Introductory dives of about 3 hours are available with rates of approximately $NZ70.00.  A four day beginners course costs about $NZ470.00, which is reasonable value.
• All operators have good rental equipment, so bringing your own gear is not necessary.  However, mask, fins and snorkels are recommended as they are rented only for use on the operator’s boats.
• Scuba training is also available.  There is a choice of CMAS, NAUI or PADI certifications to all levels.

The outer reef area offers a diverse range of diving locations with superb visibility, usually from between 30m and 60m, depending on wind and weather.  Canyons, caves and varieties of coral, including plate, shelving, mushroom and brain, make it a most unusual terrain.  There are also wrecks to explore and fish to be handfed.

The most memorable diving is on the reed drop-off that starts at about 30m and descends vertically down to 3600m.  As the island of Rarotonga is a circular in shape, there is always a safe place to dive.

Location

The Cook Islands are situated to the east of Samoa and Tonga, approximately 1 hour’s flight from Tahiti and in the same time zone as Hawaii.  The Cook Islands are made up of 15 islands scattered over an area of 2.5 million square miles of the Pacific Ocean.  The main island Rarotonga is 1630 nautical miles northeast of Auckland.

Climate

Since the Cook Islands are South of the equator, the seasons are opposite to those of North America and Europe.  While there are no extremes in temperatures, the drier cooler season runs from April to November.  The warmer, more humid season runs from December to March.  Following are the average monthly temperatures (in Fahrenheit and Celsius).

Warmth and sunshine can be enjoyed year-round in the Cook Islands.  Severe weather is rare and infrequent, so lightweight clothing is the norm.  A lightweight raincoat is a good idea as we do have showers, how else can we keep our plants and jungle looking so lush.