TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN RAROTONGA IN 2024 🌺
Here are the BEST 10 THINGS to do in RAROTONGA in 2024!
Kia Orana!
If you are looking for local reccomendations on what to do when in Rarotonga this newsletter is for you! We encourage you to read through and add this to your holiday itinerary - you will not be dissapointed!!
1. Book a TURTLE TOUR
A fan favourite on the island is our Turtle Tours. Take a swim through one of our reef passages during low tide to swim with our turtles. If the visibility is good you may even see schools of eagle rays. There are a range of different tour opperators to book with. We strongly reccomend booking with the following companies for your safety. Don't swim through the passages by yourself - it is very dangerous if you dont know the tide changes.
Image Courtesy of Ben Teina
2. VISIT the Saturday Morning PUNANGA NUI MARKETS
Every Saturday from 7am - 1pm located in the heart of Avarua. You can see how us locals like to spend our mornings. A tip would be to bring cash - you can shop for food, drinks, clothing, arts, crafts and souvenirs. At 10am make your way to the main stage located in the middle of the market for cultural performances. We suggest getting in early if you want first choice of local fresh fruits and produce. We reccomend trying the local favourite raw fish dish IKA MATA with a chilled drinking COCONUT known as NU.
Image Courtesy of Cook Islands Tourism
3. Catch the SUNSET at BLACK ROCK
If you want the best seat on the island to wave the sun goodbye. We reccomend grabbing fish & chips from the takeaways down the road and setting up on Black Rock to watch the sunset. On the northwest coast, Black Rock Beach has white sand and fascinating black volcanic rock formations. Located on the sheltered side of the island, away from the southeast trade winds, it's usually one of the calmest swimming spots on a windy day. Black Rock is not only one of the popular things to see in Rarotonga, it's also rated among the top lagoon snorkelling spots, so bring your mask and snorkel for an evening swim.
Images Courtesy of Daniel Fisher
4. WALK the longest Hand Painted MURAL in the SOUTH PACIFIC
Located in Nikao at 560 meters long, the seawall mural will tell the story of the 15 Islands of the Cook Islands symbolized by paintings of island native endemic species and local motifs. The project is led by Marae Moana and painted by talented local artists two of them being featured below Rarotonga-based Mexican artist Gonzalo Aldana and local artist Katu Teiti. The largest multi-use marine park in the world, spanning a total ocean area of nearly two million square kilometers. It is a must-see item to add to your visit, the mural provides an educational experience around traditions, endemic (species), and local flora, fauna & our Cook Islands people.
Images Courtesy of Cook Islands News
5. DINE & WATCH an ISLAND NIGHT CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Exciting, colourful and wonderfully entertaining, a Rarotongan island night is a fun opportunity to experience authentic cultural performances and a delicious local buffet feast. The Highland Paradise Culture Centre, Tumutoa Tours, Te Vara Nui Cultural Village and a few resort have a cultural team perform at their island night buffets - The Islander Hotel, Muri Beach Club, Crown Beach & Edgewater Resort. The passion and skills shown in these performances are truly impressive you and your family will love the experience. As you're treated to some of the island's best examples of traditional music, song, dance and food, you'll soon see why an island night is one of the top Rarotonga tourist attractions.
Image Courtesy of Cook Islands Tourism
6. Enjoy the day out at MURI LAGOON on a BOAT CRUISE
One of the fastest ways to discover the island's best spots is on a tour, and there are all kinds to choose from. We have 2 Lagoon Tours available for our visitors,both are local favourites so it's really up to you to choose between them. Koka Lagoon Cruise and Captain Tamas are a great way to explore the famous Muri Lagoon. Their crews are multi talented and bring a lot of fun while you are on tour. From snorkelling to viewing fish through the glass bottom boat while their talented stringband entertains you. Once you've finish snorkeling you'll head to one of our 4 motu's to enjoy a delicious bbq feast, amazing coconut tree climbing show, coconut husking and more!
Image Courtesy of David Kirkland
7. Take a HIKE through our lush MOUNTAINS TRAILS
Bring your running shoes so you can explore Rarotonga’s mountainous interior on a variety of guided and self-guided hiking trails. Enjoy the rewards of incredible views as you are surrounded by native trees, flowers and fauna. The Cross Island Hike, Arore Muri Hike & the Raemaru Hike have the best kept tracks with beautiful views of the surrounding lagoon and in some cases secret waterfalls. Hiking in Rarotonga is a must-do activity for you and your family while on holiday!
Image Courtesy of Cook Islands Tourism & Manine Lynch
8. VISIT the MAIRE NUI GARDENS & CAFE
Come and get lost in paradise! Locally operated and maintains this botanical garden is a must visit on the island. You will love the local flowers, trees and plants displayed here. The perfect place to take photos that will make your friends and family online jealous. Hidden amongst the lush vegetation you will find great food options at its Cafe. They offer a variety of unique island cuisine with fresh produce grown in the garden and hot teas and coffees. Visitors will enjoy fresh foods of the tropics with asiatic influence, enhanced with their own organic herbs and spices. There is a donation fee to enter the garden but it is worth the experience. We encourage taking a book to read and relax there during your holiday.
Image Courtesy of The Cook Islands Local Travel Guide
9. VISIT AITUTAKI on the world famous DAY TOUR Trip
The Aitutaki Day Tour is an all inclusive product consisting of transfers on Rarotonga and Aitutaki, return flights from Rarotonga to Aitutaki and a six hour lagoon cruise on Aitutaki’s magnificent lagoon. Relax and cruise the lagoon on board our Vaka Teariki Moana or the Titi-Ai-Tonga. Swim and snorkel, see giant trevallies, clams, tropical reef fish and beautiful coral formations. Visit several motu (small islets) and beach comb at One Foot Island. Enjoy your island barbecued lunch served on board the boat as the crew entertains you with a local stringband musical show. If there is anything to add to your holiday bucket list - it would be to book this day tour to Aitutaki.
Images Courtesy of Alexandra Adoncello
10. Do NOTHING - ENJOY a quiet BEACH & SOAK up the BEAUTY of a LITTLE ISLAND!
The Cook Islands is known best as a destination to rest & relax in. We have lots of tours and activites to participate in but the best thing we can encourage our visitors to do is spend the day at the beach disconnected from the outside world and find peace on our shores. Our favourite beaches on the island are - Nikao Social Centre, Black Rock Beach, Fruits of Rarotonga, Betela Beach, Papaaroa Beach and Muri Beach. Make a note of these spots and add them to your holiday must visits when you are on island. Pack a lunch, bring your water bottles, apply your sunscreen and lay out on the beach enjoying the sun! If you need to hire snorkel gear feel free to visit Dive Rarotonga or Snorkel Cook Islands to rent your water gear.
Images Courtesy of Alexandra Adoncelloa and Daniel Fisher
We hope you find this newsletter helpful when playing what to do in Rarotonga! We have a range of different fun activities to join in on and a great variety of different restaurants, cafes, takeaways & eateries to try while on holiday. Rarotonga may be a small island but the experiences are larger than life! Meet the locals, immerse yourself in the culture, adjust to island time and enjoy our beautiful island paradise.
Happy exploring,
Cook Islands Holiday Villas