The Cook Islands are like 15 sparkling gems shining in the South Pacific north east of New Zealand. The brightest gem is the picturesque island of Rarotonga with its fringe of silvery sandy beaches surrounding most of the island.
- Rarotonga, Cook IslandAirflore / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
The island of Rarotonga is the most popular with tourists. Its the perfect place to relax and play and at the same time soak up some local culture along with the sun. Visit the local market for many unique souvenirs and at the same time get a glimpse of the Cook Islands culture. Stroll into one of the many friendly churches that open their doors to everyone on Sunday morning for delightful a cappella singing. At night, join the congregation down at the sea wall near the end of the airport and get “jet-blasted” by the planes coming in on the runway. You will find a variety of things to do on Rarotonga.
Beaches and Water Sports
A lagoon winds its way around Rarotonga affording plenty of beach and water play. Visit the village of Titikaveka and Tikaveka Beach on the southwest lagoon area of the Island. It’s popular because of its depth providing great swimming and snorkeling. Thanks to the Tikioki marine reserve, there is an abundance of colorful tropical fish to observe. Take on snorkeling on your own or do a lagoon cruise that includes fish-identification activities. Kayaking and other small vessel cruising is popular at this part of the lagoon.
- Rarotonga Beachmargaritanitz / Foter.com / CC BY-ND
Muri Lagoon has fantastic snorkeling and is easily one of the most popular places on the island. Paddle around the edges for a peek at the fish or see darker coral out in the middle of the lagoon. The food and drink on this part of the island is popular. Matutu. a local brew is served in the bars and restaurants. This part of the island is Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruises’s starting point. Take a cruise for some gorgeous views of Rarotonga.
Head out to Black Rock Beach and the see the rocks that long ago were thought to be the place where human spirits took off for Avaiki, the spiritual home of Polynesians. Now the rocks are used as diving platforms. The adjacent Nikao Social Centre provides swimming, snorkeling, tennis, golf and volleyball.
Nature and Hiking
The cross-island walk connecting the south side of the island with the Avatiu valley is quite popular. On this walk, you can see the Te Rua Manga, an iconic needle-shaped rock. Raemaru, or flat-top mountain is also great for hiking.
- Rarotonga Naturestedmantriples / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Nature is lively and abundant on Rarotonga. Experience a lush tropical rain forest with a tour from Raro Safari Tours. Go bird-watching at the Takitumu conservation area, 155 hectares devoted to recovering birds on the endangered species list.
The Maire Nui Botanical Gardens provides a close-up look of plants that are both ornamental and used for medicinal purposes. The foliage is beautifully laid out in “rooms.” The only fee is a suggested donation of $5 dollars. Have a slice of delicious cheesecake in the cafe.
Spend an hour or so out of the sun at the Cook Islands Whale and Wildlife Centre. See interesting fish species in tanks and read information on the area’s marine and wildlife.
Local Culture
Don’t miss Punanga Nui, a local market that bustles with a mix of locals and tourists every Saturday morning. Purchase fresh and colorful local seasonal produce like mangoes, pineapples and passion-fruit. This market is great for those renting accommodations with kitchens. Ask the locals for ideas on preparing local dishes. Purchase a bunch of tropical flowers, a ukulele, and great souvenirs to take back home. Sample some dishes from the hot food stalls and browse through local crafts.
One excellent way to drink in local culture is by attending a cultural tour. Te Vara Nui at Muri beach is a good choice. This village tour picks up tourists at their accommodations. The tour begins with tropical drinks in the bar. Then an informative tour of the village starts. Later comes more drinks and a dinner of traditional island food followed by a performance of island dancers and musicians.
Nightlife on Rarotonga
South Pacific islanders on Rarotonga love to party, and they welcome visitors to join in the fun. There is partying every night except Sunday night. Friday night is the biggest night to party. The bars stay open until 2 am to welcome the weekend. Take on a pub-crawl yourself or do a nightlife bus tour. Parties often begin with a drum roll from the traditional drums. On Saturday night, the bars close at midnight to honor the Sabbath day. Tourists and locals fill the many churches on the island for beautiful services and music on Sunday morning.
A trip to Rarotonga will be an unforgettable vacation. Attractions and entertainment is plentiful. A variety of accommodations are available ranging from bungalows and hotels to resorts and villas.
Marie Edwards is a seasoned travel writer and specializes in writing about destinations in the South Pacific.
