We got to the Cook Islands the day before we left after crossing the date line. Our first 4 nights were spent in the main town of Avarua. Whilst we were there we hired a moped to see some of the island which was only 32km around so it didn't take long. Our last 4 nights were spent at Muri Lagoon on the opposite side of the island. It was a really nice beach and had some great snorkelling - we even saw an Octopus! The weather wasn't great and if you coudn't sit on a beach then there wasn't much to do. It was a nice place but 8 days was plenty.