Where to go and what to see in Rarotonga
 

Rarotonga is almost circular and it has a road that runs right around the perimeter, making it easy to find wherever you're going. Public transport buses drive the circuit clockwise and anticlockwise, or you can hire a car, scooter or push bike to drive along the inner Ara Metua Road (the original that existed before the missionaries arrived over 200 years ago). This road reveals more of the village life and plantations of all sorts of sizes and crops. It takes about 45 minutes complete a circuit of the island.

​

North from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands group is Aitutaki, which is a 50-minute domestic flight away. Famous for its luxury resorts and extraordinarily beautiful lagoon, Aitutaki can be an add-on of two or three days to your Rarotonga holiday, a popular option taken up by many visitors.
 

​

Tropical adventures around the island
 

When you're not relaxing, basking or generally living the tropical dream, you can be adventuring around or over the island. Local tourism operators like us have the equipment and know-how to help you discover Rarotonga in more depth.

​

Hiking in the rugged interior of Rarotonga can be a self-guided expedition (just follow the tracks and signs), or you can get a famous local called Pa to guide you. Pa knows the local flora and fauna inside out, so you'll learn while you're exploring. Four-wheel drive tours are another way to venture into the highlands. You can drive a buggy yourself or go on safari with a local driver. The views of the forested mountains, fringing reef and ocean are mind-blowing from up high.  

​

While primarily a form of transport, scootering can be an activity in itself during your Rarotonga holiday. Scooters are part of island life and a gloriously breezy way to tour the island - just check your travel insurance first, to make sure you're covered.

​

There are plenty of Private Tours available for your peace of mind. For more intimate tours to learn about the Cook Islands people, there is an historical walking tour around the main town of Avarua including a stop to talk to the head office staff of the Takamoa Theological College, one of the important centre of training for early missionaries that took Christianity to other part of the South Seas. This college is still operating as a theological college and head office for the Cook Islands Christian Church. More about outdoor adventures in Rarotonga.
 

 

Things to do in, on and under the water
 

Rarotonga's accommodation, mostly resorts and rentable holiday homes, is concentrated along the western and southern shores of the island. This is also where the outer reef creates tranquil conditions for off-the-beach swimming and snorkelling. Even if you snorkel the same area every day, you'll always see new things - there's a good amount of live coral and a huge diversity of fish species. If you really love to snorkel, bring a fish identification book with you. Keep an eye out for butterflyfish, parrotfish, tangs, puffers, boxfish and the glorious emperor angelfish. Premier spots for snorkelling include The Fruits of Raro at Tikioki Beach, Titikaveka Beach, Aroa Beach Marine Reserve and Blackrock. Make sure you avoid passages where the water connects to the outer reef - currents can be strong in these areas.

​

For scuba divers, and those who want to learn how, there are several dive operators on the island. They'll take you beyond the lagoon to locations known for beautiful coral and interesting encounters. For inexperienced divers there's Albertos, with coral bommies and hundreds of colorful fish; The Caves, which involves a swim-through to a maze of marine caves; and Mataora Wreck, once a Tongan cargo vessel and now home to hundreds of reef species. Advanced divers can look forward to meeting whitetip sharks at Jade Reef and cruising through the Maritime Reefer, a fishing vessel that's been turning itself into a thriving reef since it was sunk in 1981.

​

At Muri Beach, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking have really taken off. The lagoon is calm and unspeakably beautiful, plus there are little islands to visit not far offshore. A special highlight is a guided night-time paddling tour - the operators put lights under the boards and kayaks, enabling you to see marine animals going about their business. Other fun things to do on the water include speed boating, banana boat rides, fishing trips and whale watching (July to October).

​

A warm culture that invites you in
 

Culture is everywhere in Rarotonga - not just in the spectacular dance and drumming shows that happen several times a week at resorts and villages, but also in the daily activities of island life. You'll see it in the local food, carefully-planted taro gardens, colorful pareu (sarongs), traditional tattoos and the charming custom of wearing a flower behind one ear to attract romance.
 

As you're exploring the island by scooter or car, local life will find you. Pause at Wigmores Super Store in Vaimanga for freshly-made cakes and snacks, including lip-smackingly delicious panipop (sweet coconut buns). Visit the Punanga Nui Market in Avarua to try iconic Raro eats, such as ika mata (marinated fish), drinking coconuts and poke (a sweet dish made with bananas and tapioca). And be sure to discover how the best restaurants in Rarotonga put their own spin on local cuisine culture, making the most of taro, pawpaw, pineapple, coconut, breadfruit and local fish.

​

For a more intimate experience local people and lifestyle go on a village walking tour with Tamatoa's tour. The Reesfman's Tour for first -hand experience on how we, locals, interact and harvest the resources of our inshore area from the beach to the reef. And for the ultimate and very popular people's tour, go on our Progressive Dinning Tour visiting three local homes for a unique dinning experience.

​

There are a couple of specific attractions on the island for discovering traditional Cook Islands feast and spectacular dancing and drumming. Try out the Highland Paradise Cultural Centre in Arorangi and Te Vara Nui Village in Muri. Touring these cultural villages is a focused way to find out about the history, traditional medicines, ancient navigational techniques, arts and crafts, food, and performance arts of the Cook Islands.

 

Explore the Outer Islands, especially Aitutaki 
 

Aitutaki is one of the Pacific's legendary places due to it's one-of-a-kind vast turquoise lagoon. In Aitutaki you can enjoy a superb level of luxury at five-star resorts that make the most of the island's scenic advantages. You'll also find more affordable Aitutaki accommodation styles, including budget hotels, motels, lodges and cottages.

​

Lazing around is the number one thing to do on Aitutaki, but other activities include snorkelling, visiting One Foot Island, boat cruises on the magnificent lagoon, whale watching and charter fishing expeditions. New exciting activities introduced in recent times is bone fishing using fly lures followed by the purest fly fishermen. The Aitutaki lagoon as also been discovered by kite surfers to be on of the best spot in the world for this recreational sport.

​

Other islands close by accessible by air are Atiu, Mauke, Mangaia and Mitiaro. Each with its unique physical and environmental features as well as people and lifestyle you can join in while staying in small tourist accommodations including homestay option with local families.

​

If you want to know more or if you are keen to come over and explore our #Little Paradise, the Cook Islands, please connect and one of our Happiness Consultants will get in touch with you.

​

Black Pearls
 

If you want to know more about our Black Pearls please click here. All the information on why the black pearls are so important to us and how are they made is there. Make sure to buy one and take it home with you to remember your wonderful holiday here in the Cook islands.

​

​