The Cook Islands – known for its beaches, caves & relaxed atmosphere.
As one of the Pacific Islands, it is a popular travel destination for those who just want to relax.
And I do not blame them – the Cook Islanders are chill, and so is the pace of life.
So, what can you do in the Cook Islands? Quite some things.
Enjoy your time at one of the many beaches, for sure.
Perhaps enjoy the nightlife and bust some moves with the Cook Islanders (although they will probably be better dancers than you). 😜
Or participate in one of the many watersport activities, like stand-up paddling.
Overall, you should not be bored when in the Cook Islands.
But you should know that the Cook Islands is not cheap. Far from it.
And you could make your experience much more expensive by roaming in the Cook Islands.
You are better off getting local SIM cards, like a Cook one, to enjoy local rates, which are almost always better than international roaming.
Luckily, Cook Islands SIM cards are available to travelers too.
So, how expensive are SIM cards in the Cook Islands?
You can get a Cook SIM card for 20 NZD (11.90 USD) from Vodafone (formerly BlueSky) in their stores or from resellers, like convenience stores and kiosks. The Vodafone Travel SIM card is sold for 49 NZD (29.10 USD) with 5 GB, 30 minutes & 300 SMS. SIM cards are also sold at Rarotonga International Airport (RAR).
To some, these prices may sound expensive.
But these are normal prices in Oceania… so there is not much you can do about it.
Especially when Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands) is the sole mobile operator in the country.
Ah well 🤷🏿♂️.
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in the Cook Islands. Let's have a look?
Original publication: 30th of January 2020. Last updated: 14th of January 2024.
Table of Contents
What is the Best SIM Card in Cook Islands?
Cook Islands has only one mobile operator offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:
- Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
Anyone is allowed to buy a Cook SIM card, including tourists and visitors, from Vodafone (formerly BlueSky) without restrictions.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
Where Can You Buy a Cook SIM Card (+Prices)?
You can get a Cook SIM card in Vodafone (formerly BlueSky) stores. Resellers, like post offices, newsstands & grocery stores, also sell SIM cards. Some airports may sell (tourist) SIM cards (at higher prices).
You can expect to pay the following for Cook SIM cards:
- Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands): 25 NZD
The following Cook mobile operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists:
- Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands): 49 NZD (Travel SIM)
Be aware that SIM cards sold at airports can be more expensive than the prices mentioned earlier.
Use the Wise Currency Converter tool (free) for up-to-date NZD (New Zealand Dollar) to your currency (let's say AUD – Australian Dollar) exchange rates.
For reference, below are some exchange rates between NZD and USD (US Dollars):
- 1 NZD = 0.60 USD
- 10 NZD = 5.95 USD
- 100 NZD = 59.40 USD
For any other currency, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Cook Prepaid SIM Cards Explored
Below, I will guide you through Vodafone Cook Islands, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
Let's see what Cook mobile operator can offer us.
Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
Vodafone Cook Islands, just Vodafone and formerly BlueSky Cook Islands, is the sole mobile operator in the Cook Islands.
As the Cook Islands has a population of more than 17 000, there is no incentive to have two mobile operators operating in this nation.
However, as Vodafone has free reign and a relatively small market, mobile data rates are relatively high in the Cook Islands.
Vodafone, as a company, is active in Africa (mostly as Vodacom), Asia, Europe, the Middle East & Oceania.
Vodafone uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 900 MHz
- 3G: 900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28) & 1800 MHz (Band 3)
- 5G NR: N/A – rollout not announced yet
- VoLTE: No
- VoWiFi: No
This is what you will learn about Vodafone:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Vodafone SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
Vodafone has extensive coverage in the populated areas in the Cook Islands.
The islands with the best 3G and 4G/LTE coverage are Atiu, Aitutaki, Mauke, Mitiaro & Rarotonga.
The other islands have 2G coverage if you are lucky.
Below is Vodafone's coverage map of Rarotonga produced by Speedtest:
Here is the map of Aitutaki produced by Speedtest:
Below is Mangaia's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
You can get a Vodafone SIM card for 25 NZD with 20 NZD credit in Vodafone stores and from resellers, like grocery stores, gas stations & convenience stores. SIM cards are also sold at Rarotonga International Airport (RAR).
Short-term visitors and tourists can also get the Vodafone Travel SIM cards. Vodafone offers two options and are as follow:
Price | Data | Local/International Minutes 1 | Local/International SMS 1 | Validity |
---|---|---|---|---|
49 NZD | 5 GB | 30 minutes | 300 SMS | 15 days |
69 NZD | 10 GB | 60 minutes | 600 SMS | 28 days |
1 for local use and to Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, the United Kingdom & the United States
You may have to text T3 to 888 to activate your Vodafone Travel SIM card.
Do note that Vodafone Travel SIM cards cannot be renewed.
Dial *888# to access the Vodafone menu.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Vodafone has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
Be aware that there is no VoLTE nor VoWiFi with Vodafone.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
Vodafone has four data-featured prepaid plans:
- Preplay Plan Bundles (combo)
- Casual Prepay Plan Bundles (data)
- Midnite Data Deals (data)
- Data add-ons
All Vodafone plans can be activated on the My Vodafone Cook Islands app.
I will list all the prices in NZD (New Zealand Dollar).
To convert NZD to your currency (let's say AUD) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Prepay Plan Bundles – Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
The Prepay Bundles are combo plans with data (without 5G NR access) and minutes.
Prepay Bundles can be activated on the My Vodafone Cook Islands app:
Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
19 NZD | Prepay Plan 19 Days | 1 GB | 30 minutes | 500 SMS | 28 days |
29 NZD | Prepay Plan 29 Days | 2 GB | 60 minutes | 750 SMS | 28 days |
Casual Prepay Bundles – Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
The Casual Prepay Bundles are data plans (without 5G NR access).
Casual Prepay Bundles can be activated on the My Vodafone Cook Islands app:
Price | Plan | Data | Validity |
---|---|---|---|
3 NZD | 24HR$3 | 600 MB | 24 hours |
5 NZD | 3DAY$5 | 1 GB | 3 days |
10 NZD | 7DAY$10 | 2 GB | 7 days |
30 NZD | 10DAY$30 | 6 GB | 10 days |
Midnite Data Deals – Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
The Midnite Data Deals are data plans (without 5G NR access) to be used between 0:00 and 7:00.
Midnite Data Deals can be activated on the My Vodafone Cook Islands app:
Price | Plan | Data | Validity 1 |
---|---|---|---|
5 NZD | 24HR | 10 GB | 24 hours |
10 NZD | 3NITE | 20 GB | 3 nights |
15 NZD | 5NITE | 30 GB | 5 nights |
20 NZD | 5NITE | 40 GB | 5 nights |
1 for between 0:00 and 7:00
Data Add-ons – Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
The Data Add-ons are, as the name implies, add-ons (without 5G NR access).
Price | Data | Validity |
---|---|---|
7.50 NZD | 1.5 GB | Until plan expires |
15 NZD | 3 GB | Until plan expires |
APN/Internet Settings – Vodafone Cook Islands (formerly BlueSky Cook Islands)
- Name: Vodafone
- APN: internet
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in the Cook Islands
Getting a SIM card from Vodafone would be your only option when considering a Cook SIM card.
Going to other places around the world? You should also check out my SIM card buying guides for other destinations worldwide.