Frequently Asked Questions

Time zone

Cook Islands’ time is GMT-10 hours, which is the same time zone as Hawaii.

INTERNATIONAL DATELINE:
Due to crossing the International Dateline, most flights from New Zealand arrive the day before they depart. Please ensure your accommodation dates meet your arrival and departure requirements.

Weather

The Cook Islands are located in the heart of the South Pacific Ocean, and enjoy a tropical climate all year round.  This makes them an ideal destination for holidaymakers. Summer months of November to April, enjoy a hot climate where temperatures reach 26-30°C, whilst the cooler months of May to October are between 22-27°C. There are slight variances in the temperatures and rainfall between each of the Cook Islands, however, averages tend to be about the same.

Airlines

Air New Zealand and Jetstar operate flights from Auckland, New Zealand to the Cook Islands.

Jetstar will commence on 29 June 2023, a twice-weekly non-stop flight, from Sydney to Rarotonga and return on Thursday and Sunday each week.

Air Rarotonga and Air Tahiti fly from Papeete in Tahiti to the Cook Islands, connecting onwards to Europe via Air Tahiti.

Hawaiian Airlines will also commence a once-a-week flight from Honolulu on Saturday to the Cook Islands and return to Honolulu on Sundays from 20 May 2023 connecting to North American destinations.

All domestic flights are operated by the local airline Air Rarotonga and Aitutaki is only a short 40-minute flight from Rarotonga.

Drone Usage

To protect the privacy of our guests, all Pacific Resort Hotel Group properties are designated ‘No Drone Zones’. There may be exceptions authorized by Resort General Managers. Please find information on the Cook Islands Government policy on drone use here.

Currency & Banking

The local currency in the Cook Islands is the New Zealand dollar, which is also supplemented by Cook Islands’ $1.00, $2.00, and $5.00 coins. It is recommended to arrive with a supply of New Zealand cash, especially if you are arriving over the weekend. Credit cards are widely accepted and there are ATM machines around the island, however, there are some outlets and most market stalls that only accept cash payments.

For more information on Frequently Asked Questions about the Cook Islands visit https://cookislands.travel/how-to-book/faq