Survivor: Cook Islands

Survivor: Cook Islands is the 13th season of Survivor. The season generated a lot of controversy due to the decision to split tribes by ethnicity.

Production
The tribal camps, Exile Island, and many challenges of Survivor: Cook Islands were filmed on small "motu" (Polynesian word for "islet") in the Aituaki lagoon. The Rarotonga (later Aitutonga) tribe's camp was on Moturakau. The Aitutaki tribe lived on Motukitiu. The short-lived tribes of Manihiki and Puka Puka lived on Rapota and Muritapua, respectively. Most challenges were filmed on Tekopua and Tapuaetai (One Foot Island). Exile Island, a small sand cay south of Tapuaetai, is called "Nude Island" by locals in reference to its lack of vegetation. Akaiami hosted challenges and also "The Ponderosa," where eliminated contestants were sequestered until the end of the game. Tribal Council, the production camp, and a few challenges were located on the main island of Aitutaki. There were three reward trips to the neighboring islands of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Rarotonga.

Twists/Changes

 * Ethnicity: Following the previous season's four tribes format, this season featured twenty contestants that were divided into four tribes of five divided by race.
 * Tribe Shuffle: In Day 7, four tribes became two. Puka Puka and Manihiki were dissolved, with the 18 remaining contestants were spread into the new Rarotonga and Aitutaki tribes with 9 members each.
 * Double Tribal Council: In Day 15, both Aitu and Raro tribes were forced to visit Tribal Council to eliminate one of their own.
 * Mutiny: Day 19, the tribes were offered to switch tribe affiliations.
 * Message in a Bottle: After losing the Day 24 Immunity Challenge, the Rarotonga tribe received a sealed bottle with a note that can only be read after elimination. The tribe assumed it was a note about instructions about the upcoming merge. But much to their shock, the note instructed them to vote another member off the tribe.
 * Delayed merge: Because of the sealed message in a bottle twist, the tribes were merged with nine members.
 * Three-way finals and expanded Jury: Unlike the first twelve seasons where they featured the usual final two facing a seven-player Jury, this featured a Final Tribal Council with three remaining finalists facing a nine-person Jury.

Trivia

 * Thus far, it is the only season to have one tribe accidently stumble upon the opposing tribe's camp (Aitutaki members Jessica Smith, Ozzy Lusth, and Cao Boi Bui had accidently ended up on the rival Rarotonga's beach while exploring the bay).
 * It is the first and only season to have the tribes divided by ethnicity.
 * This was the first season to feature a Final 3 at the Final Tribal Council rather than a Final 2 as in previous seasons.
 * It is the only season where the Mutiny offer was accepted.
 * This was the first season since Survivor: Thailand to have the jury phase start before the merge.
 * It is the second season since Survivor: Palau to have two different players (Adam Gentry and Ozzy Lusth) win every Individual Immunity at the merge.
 * This was the first season to have a nine-person merge since Survivor: All-Stars. Survivor: Gabon would later feature a nine-person merge.