Rarotonga

Strewn across the South Pacific like a handful of pearls tossed onto a gemstone-blue blanket, the Cook Islands are everything you’d hope to find in Polynesia. While this tiny island nation is famous for its white sand and clear lagoons, there’s more to the Cook Islands than pristine beaches, which are spread over 15 scattered islands. From digging into local history to witnessing the spectacle of Aitutakian fire-dancing, here are the top things to do in the Cook Islands.