05/08/2011 Rarotonga:

Pacific Resort Hotel Group is pleased to share some recent developments at the Cook Islands Whale and Wildlife Centre in Atupa, Rarotonga.  The centre has undergone a series of recent renovations with the recent opening attracted over 500 guests. The centre is very excited about their latest addition - the remains of a fully mature female Giant Octopus Haliphron atlanticus a seven armed octopus possibly the largest in the world at 4 metres in length initially.  Next week a young sperm whale scull will be on display, the size and shape of a lazy boy chair!

For the past 11 years, the Centre has served as an educational experience for locals, tourists, students, interns, visiting scientists, volunteers and government officials to learn about the Cook Islands and the ocean that surrounds us. It has been a place to view videos, exhibits, specimens, whale-related artefacts and artwork by the children of the Centre. School groups visit the Centre and educational courses have been adopted into the local school curriculum and the internet. The Cook Islands Whale and Wildlife Centre is introducing more exhibits on the Ocean and its inhabitants, the shipwrecks, the geology, the land animals, the history here in the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands Whale and Wildlife Centre is open 6 days a week featuring some 50 exhibits including live creatures. There is also a shop and small café onsite and even a mini-cinema where guests can enjoy whale footage and related documentaries and movies.

Being in the midst of whale watching season here in the Cook Islands is another great reason to time your visit. Pacific Resort Aitutaki General Manager Julian Moore spotted a whale whilst having breakfast one morning from the balcony of our Rapae Bay Restaurant earlier on in the season. We currently have great stay pay specials that include daily F&B credits. For further details on these specials and more, please contact your preferred wholesaler.