Survivor: Cook Islands

Remote and beautiful, the Cook Islands is one of the most idyllic island getaways left in the world today. Pristine and unspoiled by tourism, these islands have now been thrown into the spotlight with CBS filming its extremely popular reality game show Survivor season 13 out here, which over the many years that it has been aired, has garnered in millions of viewers from all across the globe.

Survivor: Cook Islands as the show is known, has been shot on the gorgeous atoll of Aitutaki, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Southern Pacific Ocean today. Known for its stunningly breathtaking lagoon, Aitutaki is famous the world over for the incredible diving and snorkeling opportunities it has to offer.

The brainchild of TV producer Mark Burnett, Survivor: Cook Islands was filmed between May and August 2006. Shot on the motu or small islands of Moturakau and Rapota, which were used by the two tribes of the show, the tribal council part of Survivor was filmed on the main island of the Aitutaki atoll of Arutanga. The motu of Motukitiu was used in this series as ‘Exile Island’ while Maina was chosen as the location for overnight rewards. Some challenges of Survivor were also taped on the Akiami Motu, which also played host to the contestants of the show that were eliminated.

Premiering nationwide on September 14, 2006, Survivor: Cook Islands is slated to end on December 17, 2006 with a two hour long season finale. Survivor is hosted by Jeff Probst.

Part of the Southern Group of Cook Islands, Aitutaki is also a historically significant island as it was first discovered by Captain William Bligh on April 11, 1789 just days before the famous mutiny took place aboard the HMS Bounty. An interesting fact about the Rapota Motu is that this isle was once leper colony in the 19th century.