Location
The Cook Islands are in the middle of the South Pacific – a group of 15 atolls and volcanic islands. They have been inhabited by Polynesian peoples since 300 BC, but were discovered by Europeans much later.
European Discovery of the Cook Islands
Pukapuka, in the northern group of six atolls was first seen by Alvaro de Mendaña on August 20 1595, and the first to be landed on was Rakahanga (on March 2 1606 by Pedro Quiros). Between 1773 and 1779 Captain Cook sighted and landed on many of the southern group, and in the early nineteenth century Russian sailors named the whole group in his honour.
Captain James Cook
Captain Cook was the son of a farm labourer who started life as a grocer in Staithes and went on to become the most famous British navigator. He was born in Marton (Middlesbrough), grew up in Great Ayton and then sailed frequently from Whitby. His discovery of the Sea Otters in 1776 nearly led to their extinction by fur hunters, and his return visit to Hawaii in 1779 led to his own! He mapped New Zealand in 1769 and Cook Strait (of Pelorus Jack fame) is named after him.
Fishing
The Cook Islands are famous for their sea game fishing and saltwater fly fishing. Deep-sea fishing is a speciality in Rarotonga and Aitutaki. There is no long journey to the fishing grounds, once out of the harbour the fishing can begin – for wahoo, barracuda. dolphin fish, yellowfin and skipjack tuna, sailfish and marlin (the record for marlin is 616 lb!).
Whale-watching
From July to October it is possible to see humpback whales which often come very close to Rarotonga's shoreline on their migration route north from the Antarctic. Whale watching is one way to become involved in Marine Mammal research and conservation (see also ‘Dolphin Conservation’).
Diving
The Cook Islands are very much undiscovered as a diving location, but with water temperatures of between 23º and 30º it is a fantastic place to snorkel or scuba dive if you are rich enough to get there! There is a huge variety of coral and underwater visibility of 100 to 200 feet (see also ‘cowries’ and ‘The Giant Triton’).
Ecotourism
In the same way that conservation projects can help people the injection of tourist cash into small island economies can help to preserve unspoilt habitats. Visitors to the Cook Islands will have the privilege of seeing undamaged marine environments, and hopefully many will become enthusiastic conservationists.
See also: blog
Source: The Cook Islands Website
Other articles by John Blatchford
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