HEY LORD BALFOR, we just returned from raro and aitutaki and loved it. we took you suggestion and stayed at palm grove which had great snorkeling, and the people were very nice, we will definitely go back. we got married in mare nui gardens which was very beautiful. we spent 7 days on raro and 4 on aututaki and the pacific resort was stunning, but the sornkeling was very poor. the water isn't as clear as raro because the sand seems to be much more fine. we wished we had booked more time in Raro instead because things were a little limited to to in aitutaki and everything was extremely expensive, they exchange rate for us wasn't good. we never saw in humpbacks but everyone else did. diving was great too. Clarity was a 100 ft down and the water was very warm. Being from southern California we were a little worried about it being to cool but it was actually fine and a couple of days pretty hot. I can't imagine it in the summer time.
the food we had was all very good on both islands and i love the cook's lager. i just wish i could have shipped some home. we went through jetsave with our travel plans/ wedding cordination and were very happy with their service.
The only bugs we saw was a giant spider in our shower on aitutaki and some mosquitos, but none on raro
RETURING FROM RAROTONGA
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Hi,
Glad you had a great time. Saw your post on the Thorn Tree too. Not surprised you liked the Palm Grove location. People rave about the Muri Beach area, and in truth it IS surely beautiful, but I really do perfer the snorkeling and beaches around the Palm Grove. It certainly seems that everyone who stays there really likes it.
I figured the weather would LIKELY be fine this time of year, but always feel the need to let folks know that it may not been any warmer (and indeed may be a bit cooler) than where they are coming from when they travel there during the "winter" months.
Sorry you found the water at the Pacific Resort to be somewhat murky. We were just a bit north of there and the water was fabulous. It looked pretty clear near the Pacific Resort when we were there, but we really didn't spend much time in the water at that precise location. Wind and water conditions are likely to affect water clarity too, so I'm sure it varies some from day to day.
How to break up your time between the 2 islands is always hard to figure and is so very objective. I usually recommend 2 days on Raro to every day on Aitutaki, but others feel just the opposite. Problem is, folks never really know which place they will prefer until they get there.
Anyway, I'm so very glad you had a good time. I take peoples' questions very seriously, and I'd hate to have someone have a bad time because of a decision they made due to something I said.
Ken
It was due to positive comments about the Cook Islands on this forum that I, also, just returned from there, just a few days ago. I'm in Illinois.
I stayed at the Pacific Resort on Raro and loved it. The Muri Lagoon is sooo pretty and blue. It's hard to take a bad photo there... just hold up the camera and push the button... it's all sooooo gorgeous.
I took the day trip to Aitutaki and decided that I'd like to return there for a longer trip sometime. The Cook Islands are my new favorites in the South Pacific! I've been to Fiji and French Polynesia, but really enjoyed Raro the most of all!!
To anyone thinking about a visit, you should read Papa Mike's Guide to the Cook Islands (by Mike Hollywood) as it's a great book with lots of helpful information. I was glad I had it PRIOR to going, as the tips he gave were right on.
Thanks to everyone here who spoke so highly of the Cook Islands. I would not have made that stop without your positive comments!
Carol