Hawaiian Airlines just added a direct flight from Honolulu to the Cook Islands. Photo courtesy Hawaiian Airlines

The remote Cook Islands just got a little more accessible for Austin travelers.

Starting this spring, Hawaiian Airlines will offer weekly direct service from Hawaii to the network of 15 islands. Since you can already book a direct flight from Austin to Honolulu, that means just a single connection to get from Texas to Rarotonga.

Flights will depart Honolulu at 4 p.m. Saturday and arrive in Rarotonga at 10:25 p.m. the same day. The return flight will depart Rarotonga at 11:35 p.m. Sunday and arrive in Honolulu at 5:50 a.m. Monday.

The islands, scattered across 850 square miles, range from low coral atolls to mountainous islands like Rarotonga, which is less than 20 miles long. The country’s travel website boasts that there are no hotels taller than a palm tree, and promotional materials promise no traffic lights or chain restaurants. Photos show turquoise waters, gleaming beaches, and lush mountains. The scuba diving is reportedly good, too.

The service will launch May 20. Ticket sales for the Honolulu-Rarotonga service will begin Dec. 7 on HawaiianAirlines.com and other third-party distribution channels.

For more information go to  https://cookislands.travel.