The Cook Islands are a group of 15 islands nestled in the vast expanse of the South Pacific. When it comes to tourism, these islands mirror a picture-perfect paradise. Imagine small pockets of white sand and dense palm trees – the kind of place you’d think of in a castaway tale. The islands are surrounded by a clear, turquoise sea that stretches to the horizon, resembling a natural swimming pool.

These islands are a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, with many islanders having connections or even residing in New Zealand. Despite their remote location, the Cook Islands draw visitors from across the globe. Of the 15 islands, some are volcanic and mountainous, while others, like Aitutaki, consist of tiny atolls with blue lagoons. Although many islands are barely above sea level, their sandbars form calm, mirror-like seas, perfectly captured in photographs.

To visit the Cook Islands, you’ll need to fly to Avarua, the capital on Rarotonga. From there, you can catch flights to the smaller islands, all of which enjoy an eternal tropical climate. Be mindful, though, that typhoon season runs from November to March.