Beaches in the Cook Islands

Fifteen islands spread across an area of ocean the size of western Europe, with a total population under twenty thousand. Rarotonga, the main island, is volcanic with a reef lagoon around it; Aitutaki to the north has one of the most extensive lagoons in the Pacific; and the northern group are true atolls, remote and rarely visited. New Zealand currency and free association with New Zealand shape the practicalities. Land is held under customary title and cannot be sold to outsiders, which is why there are no large foreign resorts and why building heights are limited to the height of a coconut palm. The dry season runs April to October; cyclone risk runs November to March. Rarotonga is circled by a single coastal road that takes under an hour to drive, which tells you the scale. Muri Lagoon on Rarotonga's eastern side is the main island's swimming water, shallow and sheltered by four motu on the reef rim, and the paddling and sailing happen there rather than on the open coast.

Both are atoll and lagoon beaches. The sand is coral sand throughout, and both sit on lagoon water. Together they account for 2.1 km of shore. · computed from the 2 records below