Fees · Country Guide
Cook Islands
Volcanic reef walls, turquoise lagoon motus and a Pacific ocean worth protecting
Fees And Permits
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Fees You Can't Skip
- Standard visitor permit on arrival - NZD $0 separate permit fee
- International visitor permit extension - NZD $115
- Typical payment pattern: The Cook Islands have no verified country-wide paid recreational marine-park tag in the reviewed official sources.
What people usually pay
The Cook Islands have no verified country-wide paid recreational marine-park tag in the reviewed official sources. Marae Moana designates protected, managed ocean zones while local ra'ui may restrict access or harvesting; these are not automatically purchasable passes. Normal short visitor permits are issued without a separate arrival fee, while longer stays need paid extension approval. Operator-run dive and lagoon tours are separately priced in New Zealand dollars. International departure tax is included in standard air tickets.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard visitor permit on arrival | NZD $0 separate permit fee Usually 31 days; 90 days for New Zealand and Australian passport holders | Eligible short-stay visitors | Cook Islands immigration at arrival | Subject to passport validity, onward travel, lodging, sufficient funds and admissibility. Fee refers to a qualifying normal arrival, not a stay extension. |
| International visitor permit extension | NZD $115 Further 31 days on approved application | Non-New Zealand/Australian visitor-permit holders | Cook Islands MFAI online application | Fee updated under October 2026 regulations. Apply within authorized rules, with supporting documents. Approval and processing are not automatic. |
| New Zealand or Australian visitor permit extension | NZD $235 Further three months on approved application | New Zealand and Australian passport holders | Cook Islands MFAI online application | MFAI published the reduced fee in October 2026. Do not treat the initial 90-day permit as proof of extension eligibility. |
| Universal recreational reef or marine-park tag | No general mandatory tag or price independently established Check for each island and particular site | Scuba, snorkeling and freediving | Ask local operator, community authority or National Environment Service | Marae Moana protection and traditional ra'ui rules are not equivalent to a payable all-islands entry ticket. Specific sites may have restrictions or landowner permissions. |
| International air departure tax | Included in international air ticket Per international flight ticket | International air travelers | Purchased through airline | The Cook Islands Airports Authority says travelers do not pay a separate standard departure tax at the airport. |
| Example: Rarotonga guided two-tank scuba trip | NZD $185 without rental gear; NZD $210 with gear Operator advertised price during 2026 review; confirm current quote | Optional certified-diver scuba outing | Adventure Cook Islands direct | Not a government fee. Operator pricing is subject to change and does not verify a particular departure or suitable dive site. |
| Example: Aitutaki full-day lagoon cruise | NZD $230 adult; NZD $115 child ages 4-11 Operator states 1 April 2026 to 30 March 2027 season | Optional guided Aitutaki lagoon excursion | Bishop's Cruises direct | Operator-listed tour includes transfers, snorkel equipment and lunch. Confirm weather, boat, prices, accessibility and actual availability. |
Fee
Standard visitor permit on arrival
Usually 31 days; 90 days for New Zealand and Australian passport holders
- Amount
- NZD $0 separate permit fee
- Applies to
- Eligible short-stay visitors
- Where to pay
- Cook Islands immigration at arrival
- Notes
Subject to passport validity, onward travel, lodging, sufficient funds and admissibility. Fee refers to a qualifying normal arrival, not a stay extension.
International visitor permit extension
Further 31 days on approved application
- Amount
- NZD $115
- Applies to
- Non-New Zealand/Australian visitor-permit holders
- Where to pay
- Cook Islands MFAI online application
- Notes
Fee updated under October 2026 regulations. Apply within authorized rules, with supporting documents. Approval and processing are not automatic.
New Zealand or Australian visitor permit extension
Further three months on approved application
- Amount
- NZD $235
- Applies to
- New Zealand and Australian passport holders
- Where to pay
- Cook Islands MFAI online application
- Notes
MFAI published the reduced fee in October 2026. Do not treat the initial 90-day permit as proof of extension eligibility.
Universal recreational reef or marine-park tag
Check for each island and particular site
- Amount
- No general mandatory tag or price independently established
- Applies to
- Scuba, snorkeling and freediving
- Where to pay
- Ask local operator, community authority or National Environment Service
- Notes
Marae Moana protection and traditional ra'ui rules are not equivalent to a payable all-islands entry ticket. Specific sites may have restrictions or landowner permissions.
International air departure tax
Per international flight ticket
- Amount
- Included in international air ticket
- Applies to
- International air travelers
- Where to pay
- Purchased through airline
- Notes
The Cook Islands Airports Authority says travelers do not pay a separate standard departure tax at the airport.
Example: Rarotonga guided two-tank scuba trip
Operator advertised price during 2026 review; confirm current quote
- Amount
- NZD $185 without rental gear; NZD $210 with gear
- Applies to
- Optional certified-diver scuba outing
- Where to pay
- Adventure Cook Islands direct
- Notes
Not a government fee. Operator pricing is subject to change and does not verify a particular departure or suitable dive site.
Example: Aitutaki full-day lagoon cruise
Operator states 1 April 2026 to 30 March 2027 season
- Amount
- NZD $230 adult; NZD $115 child ages 4-11
- Applies to
- Optional guided Aitutaki lagoon excursion
- Where to pay
- Bishop's Cruises direct
- Notes
Operator-listed tour includes transfers, snorkel equipment and lunch. Confirm weather, boat, prices, accessibility and actual availability.