Heading to Cook Islands in a couple of weeks (thank you YVR Deals!) and trying to sort out the wifi there. I understand that we need to buy a SIM card from Bluesky on arrival to have any sort of internet access at all (seems like no free wifi anywhere without this from what I can tell), but what I'm trying to figure out is whether or not other devices can be tethered to the smart phone that the SIM card is installed on, or if each would need its own SIM card (would be overkill for us to buy two, but the $49 visitor SIM is the perfect package). We have an unlocked iPhone 4 so planned to bring this to put the visitor SIM in, but I'm hoping to access wifi on our other phone through this somehow... anyone had experience with this? Having a hard time finding any info online!

Wi fi is expensive in the Cook Islands and not available everywhere. I took my own phone-locked to Telus and purchased a block of time. They give you a number and you enter it on the web site that comes up when you go to your search site.
One thing I did was go to the main office downtown and use their computers... faster way to check email etc.
My advice... turn off the phone and enjoy your vacation...the Cook Islands are beautiful..be sure to take the day trip to Aitutaki and take in a cultural show one evening!!

their bluesky Wi-Fi just requires logging in using a code, no need for sim, but only one person can be on the code at one time, you will have to log out and let someone else login on their phone. (was there this August)

each person can get the minimum $10 for 750 MB, just dont try streaming YouTube or upload photos, just emails and short messages to family fine

We are here now (thanks YVR deals
)and purchased a SIM card for $50 NZD for 3GB, 100txt, 30 min of calls. One phone and you can tether off each other. If you stay at a place that offers bluesky WIFI you dont need a sim card, just pay your resort $50 and they give you login credentials you can use for 4gb of data only (when u run out, pay $50 again for another 4gb). Also multiple logins are possible, we have two phones and an ipad running off the same login at the same time. Unfortunately with the sim card it's a bit of highway robbery once you run out of data... u can pay $50 again but it's a 20cents per MB which is crazy so if you NEED a sim card, once u use it up, just buy another dont top up! Hope this helps

The SIM cards don't work on iPhones for some reason. Found that out when I was there a few weeks ago.

Thanks everyone! Do you just need the unlocked phone then for a SIM and then can tether a locked device off of that? If you have a SIM can you access internet outside of the hotspots?

Yes to all. My bf had the SIM card in his unlocked phn and I tethered my locked phn off him. with a SIM card you can access internet from anywhere onthe island. If you do the resort WIFI without the SIM then obv you are limited to the hotspots.

Perfect thanks, exactly what I needed to know!

What resort are you staying at? Bluesky only works at certain hotspots around the island. At my resort we had to purchase their own packages. Just got back two weeks ago with the same yvr deal. Make sure you splurge on aitutaki. It is worth it. Vaka's lagoon cruise is outstanding. Also renting a scooter to get around is very cheap. Food is expensive, so I recommend if you have any kitchen facilities, go into town and grocery shop. Have fun!

We’re staying at an Airbnb but the owners did tell me there was a Bluesky hot spot there. Not sure we need a whole 3GB with the SIM option so still considering just the wifi.

And definitely splurging on Aitutaki for the day trip! Did you need a passport for the flight? I know you can get it stamped there which would be fun but not sure I want to have it with us on the boat all day, would be tempted to leave it behind in the safe.

Janine just go with the wifi. You won't want to log on much anyways. I brought my passport to get the stamp on one foot island. Since you have a kitchen, use that. But do go out to eat. The seafood is really go. Try to do an island night. You must also try ika mata. The Cook Islands version of ceviche. It is also whale season. Had a daily whale show past the reef everyday.

Thanks for the tips! Did people just store a backpack on the boat somewhere while snorkeling then and you kept your passport in the bag? Did you need to bring any money with you for the day trip?

Janine the boat is big. If you do vaka, they assign you a seat at a table. I just had my beach bag under the seat. If you want any drinks from the bar on board, then bring some cash. Everything on the boat is safe. The crew is fantastic. Bring reef/water shoes with you in your beach bag.