The Cook Islands is Open!
Updated
16 March 2023
(CKT)

The Cook Islands air and sea borders are open!
Flights currently available from Auckland, New Zealand with Air New Zealand and Jetstar,
and from Pape'ete, Tahiti with Air Rarotonga.
Non-stop flights from Honolulu, Hawaii with Hawaiian Airlines will commence 20 May 2023 and Sydney, Australia with Jetstar from 29 June 2023.
No more vaccination requirements. No quarantine or isolation on arrival.

Travel Entry Requirements

Normal Immigration requirements apply. All COVID-19 imposed requirements have been removed:

Immigration Requirements

If you are visiting the Cook Islands you must meet the following normal immigration requirements:

  • All international passport holders must have a passport valid for a period of at least 6 months beyond their intended period of stay in the Cook Islands. This will allow you a stay of up to 31 days in the Cook Islands.
  • All New Zealand and Australian passport holders must have a passport valid for a period of at least 7 days beyond their intended period of stay in the Cook Islands. This will allow New Zealand passport holders a stay of up to 90 days in the Cook Islands. Australian passport holders are eligible for a stay of up to 31 days.
  • You must have evidence of a valid outbound ticket or return ticket to your port of origin.
  • You must have proof of accommodation during your stay in the Cook Islands.
  • For maritime border entry to the Cook Islands, all travellers must comply with the Customs Revenue and Border Protection Act 2012

If you have any questions contact the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration on [email protected]


Advice for Travellers

All travellers are advised to be aware of all the requirements for their upcoming travel and pay close attention to any updates. Click to expand.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is highly recommended for all travellers to ensure financial cover in the event travel plans need to be changed due to COVID-19. Ensure you are clear on your Travel Insurance policy covers and whether there is Cancellation coverage as well as Medical Coverage including pandemics as a stipulation. Be sure to take note of what you have available to you.

If you or a family member tests positive for COVID-19 during your stay, appropriate insurance will be needed to cover costs related to room relocation and booking extensions, rebooking airline tickets and any associated medical costs.

Returning to New Zealand

From Thursday 20 October 2022, you no longer need to complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) to enter New Zealand.

Returning to Australia


From July 6 2022, the way you ​travel to and from Australia has changed. All travellers should be aware that:

  • People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status
  • People entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration
  • People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status
  • Unvaccinated visa holders do not​ need a travel exemption to travel to Australia
  • Masks are still required on flights travelling to Australia.
It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.
For full details on what you need to know when travelling back to Australia, visit the Australian Government website.

Arrival and Departure of Marine Crafts

Maritime borders to the Cook Islands are open!
All marine crafts must enter the Cook Islands through either the; 1) Avatiu Port, Rarotonga, or the 2) Arutanga Port, Aitutaki.
Approval to birth or land must be sought through the Harbourmaster and clearance received from a Customs Officer.

All arriving marine crafts must meet maritime border entry requirements by providing a number of relevant information at least 48 hours prior to their expected arrival time.


All departing marine crafts should advise Customs at least 72 hours before intended departure to ensure that there is no delay; and must not depart for an overseas place without having first obtained a Certificate of Clearance from Customs.


Information and forms for maritime arrivals and departures. For further information, contact Cook Islands Customs Service on email: [email protected] or +682 29510

Travel to the Pa Enua (Outer Islands)

Domestic air and sea travel reopened 1 May 2022. Two-way travel between Rarotonga and most Pa Enua (Outer Islands) is open.

Air Travel Requirements

COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements have been removed for all domestic travellers to the following islands; Aitutaki, Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke, Mangaia, Pukapuka, Manihiki, Rakahanga, and Penrhyn.

Sea Travel Requirements

All marine crafts must enter the Cook Islands through either the; 1) Avatiu Port, Rarotonga, or, 2) Arutanga port, Aitutaki. Currently onward domestic travel by marine craft is still suspended until further notice. For further information, contact Cook Islands Customs Service on email: [email protected] or +682 29510

Travel Advisory

Read the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) Notice of Travel Advisory for the Cook Islands effective from 12:01am 6 September 2022 (CKT).

Information on this website is correct at time of publishing. Information is subject to change without notice. Terms and conditions apply.