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Author: Byron Bown

Whale Watching and Swimming in the Cook Islands: A Unique Experience

humpback whale tail in aitutaki

The Cook Islands, a tropical paradise in the heart of the South Pacific, offers a unique and unforgettable experience for whale enthusiasts. Each year, from July to November, majestic humpback whales migrate from the icy waters of Antarctica to the warm, sheltered lagoons of Rarotonga and Aitutaki and move on to water waters before making […]

Swimming with Humpback Whales in the Pacific: Unveiling the Wonders of Aitutaki Island

swim with the humpback whales

The vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean is a mesmerizing playground for marine enthusiasts and adventurers alike. Among the myriad of experiences it offers, swimming with humpback whales stands out as a truly unforgettable encounter. These gentle giants migrate across the Pacific, offering humans a rare opportunity to witness their grandeur up close. While there […]

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WARNING / CAUTION

To all VISITORS wanting to swim with the whales and all overseas INTERNATIONAL Whale Swim retreat/tour OPERATORS coming to Aitutaki Cook Islands, to swim with the whales – Please be advised that Immigration has now stepped in and you must have a legally registered business in the Cook Islands with a 50%+ local partner to run whale retreats to the Cook Islands, or here on a working visa for a local company.

So if you have gone and booked or seen any operators doing whale swim retreats to Aitutaki including accommodation , flights, food, days out on the water for a package deal ect… then they’re most likely not a local registered business in the Cook Islands. As far as we know we are the only Legal registered business in the Cook Islands doing whale swim retreat packages locally and internationally.

This year 2026 immigration stepped in to enforce the laws which had slowly been taken advantage of over the years (You can’t have an overseas website/business and operate in the Cooks paying the overheads and taking the profit home not paying any tax here. If you are wanting to do whale swim retreats to the Cook Islands then give us call or email for options on collaboration for tours. As the founders of whale swimming in Aitutaki and building up this amazing activity over the years for the Island being one of Aitutaki’s most biggest attractions and also having our own whale swim retreats, we are glad to see this problem being addressed keeping the money in our country .

Sorry if there is any other Cook islands registered businesses we don’t know about doing whale swim retreats feel free to let everyone know here.

SUPPORT LOCAL – Meitaki Atupaka