The Cook Islands and Tonga are ideal destinations for the ultimate, relaxing beach getaway. But to choose one out of the two fascinating destinations, there’s more to consider than just that. In that regard, this comprehensive guide is your one-stop shop where you’ll find everything you need to make the best decision!
The two island states sit 1600 kilometres apart in the South Pacific Ocean and are home to some of the world’s most splendid beaches and friendliest people. What’s more, much of the beauty of both destinations is mainly unspoiled, waiting for you to explore it.
Cook Islands or Tonga – where to go? The Cook Islands are a secluded tourist destination featuring ruggedly mountainous terrain, vivid blue lagoons, and picturesque Polynesian landscapes. On the other hand, Tonga is one of the least developed islands of the Pacific, featuring a laid-back and unrefined but strikingly beautiful ambience with lots of pigs roaming alongside the locals!
We have spent time in both destinations and would love to share our insights with you. So, read right through this article to figure out the destination that fits your desires perfectly — the Cook Islands or Tonga?
Important Note: On 15th January 2022, a volcano on the uninhabited Tongan island Hunga Hunga-Tonga Ha’apai erupted followed by a destructive tsunami. The eruption was the biggest of the 21st century. The damage to the island nation was massive, and the Tongans are still rebuilding their country. But after the natural disaster and pandemic, the locals want to get back to normal and slowly open their country to visitors again. We hope this article will help bring tourists and some financial support to Tonga.
Cook Islands or Tonga? Location & Islands
The Cook Islands are a self-governing island state located between French Polynesia and Samoa in the heart of the South Pacific. They have political links with New Zealand and feature 15 tiny atolls and islands spanning an area of 240 square kilometres.
The capital of the country is the cultural centre, Avarua. Rarotonga is a well-known tourist hub and the largest of the Cooks, while the island of Aitutaki is a secluded paradise.
Flying into the Rarotonga International Airport is the best way to get to the Cook Islands, and there are currently four different airlines to choose from. Moving around the islands involves flights to the southern islands and intermittent boat services to the northern ones. Currently, Air Rarotonga is the only airline operating within the Cooks.
The 750-square-mile archipelago of Tonga is located to the west of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. It consists of two parallel chains of 169 islands spanning 750 square kilometres, out of which only 36 are inhabited. The largest island is Tongatapu towards the south. Other significant islands include Vava’u in the north and Haapai in the centre.
The Fua’amotu International Airport in Tongatapu is the leading international gateway, and there are currently 3 airlines flying into the archipelago from the US. You can also get to Tonga on a cruise ship, entering from one of its ports, such as Pangai. Getting around the islands is easy, with inter-island ferries, domestic flights from Monday to Saturday, and several car rentals. Real Tonga is the national carrier, but, frankly speaking, it isn’t quite the best airline out there.
How Does That Affect Your Travel Planning?
If you’re looking for untouched scenery, the undeveloped islands of Tonga are your place to go. If you prefer something more developed tourism-wise, the Cooks are a great choice.
Position-wise, both archipelagos have more or less the same accessibility by air. If you’d like to cruise into your destination on a yacht, Tonga would be the better option.
Cook Islands or Tonga? The Culture
The culture of the Cook Islands is the perfect blend of Polynesian heritage with a contemporary European touch. Arts, music, and craft primarily shape it. Wood carving is a common tradition, and locals love to paint while considering their natural environment as the muse.
Cook Islanders are also big on singing and dancing, reflecting their history and spirituality. Maori is the primary language spoken, though English is understood as well.
Tonga provides a very authentic travel experience since it is the only nation in the South Pacific to never have been colonised. Tongans are highly religious people following Christianity, and it is recommended to cover your knees and shoulders as a sign of respect unless you’re staying at a resort.
Mat weaving is a common tradition in Tonga, and Tongans focus a lot on the virtue of humility. The official language is Tongan, while English is also used.
How Does That Affect Your Travel Planning?
The cultures of both Tonga and the Cooks are influenced by Polynesians. To experience Polynesian culture in the Cook Islands, book your spot at an ‘Island Night’ show or take a cultural tour in one of their villages to learn about ancient ways of tribal life. To experience this in Tonga, you can go to a local Church service or take a guided sightseeing tour.
If you’re fine with dressing modestly during your stay, Tonga is a great option. If you prefer a more liberal environment, the Cooks is where to go.
English is used in both archipelagoes, so communication shouldn’t be a problem in either destination.
Cook Islands or Tonga? Population & Visitors
The population of the Cook Islands was a little over 17,500 as of November 2021. However, lots of people are attracted to the serene and scenic vistas of the Cooks, with visitor numbers going as high as 170,000 and making it relatively touristy.
Tonga’s population levels are near 105,600, with the number of visitors lingering around 94,000 pre-covid. Tonga is not as set up as the Cooks for tourism and is also less promoted.
How Does That Affect Your Travel Planning?
If you were to add the population and tourist numbers for the Cook Islands and Tonga, you would get almost the same number. But Tonga is approximately 3.2 times the size of the Cooks in terms of landmass, making it the more secluded option.
Cook Islands or Tonga? Price Levels
The price levels in the Cook Islands aren’t too high, but they’re also not the lowest around. Intermittent boat services mean you’d be better off catching a flight for travelling between islands, and there isn’t much local food produce, so goods can get pretty expensive.
Tonga is fairly reasonable to visit, with plenty of cheap guesthouses and hostels, inexpensive ferries for inter-island travel, and cheap meals. As such, it’s more affordable to visit than the Cook Islands.
How Does That Affect Your Travel Planning?
Prices are one of the top factors to consider while choosing between the Cook Islands or Tonga.
If you are willing to spend a minimum of $100 to $150 per day, the Cook Islands are where to head. Folks looking for more affordable options should plan their trip to Tonga.
If you want to splurge some more and snag luxury experiences, the well-set Cook Islands have more in store for you. Tonga is a better destination for simply sitting back and enjoying untouched beauty, though you will occasionally find high-end resorts.
Cook Islands or Tonga? When to Travel
The climate of the Cook Islands is characterised by two seasons — a dry season between May and November and a rainy one from December to April. There’s also a slight risk of hurricanes during the rainy season.
On the other hand, the two seasons of Tonga are featured by a cool, dry one between May and October and a warm, wet one between November and April. Regarding natural hazards, Tonga is susceptible to earthquakes, cyclones, and flooding, with the cyclone season being between November and March.
How Does That Affect Your Travel Planning?
If you don’t mind a few short showers during your stay, you can head to the Cooks between December and April. May to August is the perfect time to visit for folks who enjoy drier weather. But that’s also when tourists bombard the archipelago, so you would want to book well ahead of time to be safe. October and November must be the best period to visit the Cooks when tourist numbers are low, and the weather is dry.
On the other hand, the best time to visit Tonga is between May and July. This is when the temperatures are moderate, rainfall is minimal, and the humpback whales arrive! However, July to November is also an excellent time to book your trip to Tonga. The only season to avoid is the rainy one when the risk of cyclones gets high.
On that note, our contrast and comparison of the two laid-back and beautiful destinations come to an end. We hope you now have a very comprehensive answer to the question in your head, “Cook Islands or Tonga?” and are able to choose the South Pacific archipelago that fits YOUR needs best.
No matter where you go, we wish you safe and happy travels!
Where to Get Detailed Information About the Entire Cook Islands…
Intrigued by the Cook Islands and yearning to learn more? Visit our website for everything you need to know, plus aesthetic visuals of all the inhabited islands!
Additionally, we have a comprehensive Travel Guide of the Cook Islands, covering the following for all 12 inhabited islands:
- How to get to Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, Palmerston, Pukapuka, Nassau, Manihi, Rakahanga, and Penrhyn (plus their contact details and geocodes)
- Best time for travelling
- Useful facts and statistics
- Details on the infrastructure
- Tips on where to shop and what to eat
For more details about stunning Tonga, look at their official tourism site.
