The paradise destination you've probably never heard of

Scattered in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the Cook Islands are an oasis of crystal-blue waters, white sandy beaches and some of the best snorkelling spots in the world.

And the natural beauty doesn’t stop there. Jungle-clad mountains, reminiscent of Jurassic Park, cascade into the ocean with no building taller than a palm tree to obscure the view.

Made up of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu and 12 other smaller islands, this little corner of the world makes for an incredible holiday. Here’s why we're totally in love with the Cook Islands.

READ MORE Why we love these paradise islands

The team of in-house writers and editors at loveexploring.com have visited all seven continents and explored hundreds of destinations to bring the best travel inspiration and advice on the web.