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Rarotonga

The Cook Islands

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2025

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Man paddling canoe on Raratonga coast.

Pete Seaward

Overview

The most populous of the Cook Islands is stunning in its natural beauty and physical drama. A halo of flame-orange coral reef encircles the island, and Rarotonga’s sapphire-blue lagoon is trimmed by sparkling white beaches. Beyond the reef, breakers foam and crash like distant thunder.

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