Things To Do

1. Island hopping

Rarotonga is a compact 32 kilometres in circumference. Why not hop aboard the round-Rarotonga bus service to get acquainted with the beaches, lagoons, shops and churches on the island before deciding what you really want to do? The bus runs regularly on two routes – clockwise and anti-clockwise (ck/bus.htm) and you can catch it very close to Avarua Escape.

2. Punanga Nui Market 

Whether you’re on the lookout for an authentic souvenir or craving a delicious ‘banana poke’, you’ll find everything and more at Punanga Nui Market. And it’s just down the road from our lodge in Avarua.

No weekend in Rarotonga is complete without wandering around chatting with locals, sampling local cuisine and listening to music. The markets are a hive of activity; it feels like the entire island comes along to enjoy the atmosphere.

Operating every Saturday from early until midday, the market has a huge variety of items for sale: local produce, tasty treats, art, handicrafts, black pearls, pareus, or sarongs, and souvenirs. With lots of stalls to explore and large shady trees to enjoy a break, allow plenty of time for this market. 

Arrive at the market early to get your hands on a ‘banana poke’. This is a traditional dessert made with over-ripe bananas and a favourite with many locals. Don’t forget to bring your cash (NZ or Cook Islands dollars) as the majority of vendors don’t accept cards.

3. Muri Night Market

Looking for cheap eats in a chilled out vibe? Located in the heart of Muri, this food market operates Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 5 pm to 9 pm.

With a huge variety of food stalls at reasonable prices, you won’t go hungry. The market offers a large undercover dining area with plenty of seating and entertainment on some evenings. You’ll find bbq food, wok-fried noodles, and seafood – check out the garlic prawns cooked in coconut – curries, pizza and delicious desserts. What to choose is the hard part. But a word of caution. Arrive early to make sure you don’t miss out.

4. Watch the sunset at Black Rock

One of the most popular places to stop and enjoy the sunset in Rarotonga is Black Rock. This is 9kms from Avarua Escape on the northwestern tip of the island.

You’ll be spoilt with a sunset overlooking the sea with the rock forming a perfect backdrop. Black Rock Beach is also considered one of the primo spots for snorkelling and swimming around in the little channel that forms at high tide.

You’ll find lots of locals coming down here in the late afternoon as well. So, it really gets a fun, family-friendly vibe.

5. Wigmore’s Waterfall

If you’re looking for a break from constantly swimming in saltwater, then head to Wigmore’s Waterfall.

This picturesque little water hole is at the back of Vaimaanga village. There’s a small entrance fee that goes towards maintaining the road and site.

6. Get cultured

It’s the culture that makes people fall in love with the Cook Islands. And a great place to learn about it is at the Highland Paradise Cultural Show. 

A dancing, singing and feasting extravaganza, the show is held in a small mountain village on the western end of the island every Wednesday and Friday night. 

Upon arrival, you’re greeted by the chief and taken into the reconstructed traditional village. You’ll hear stories of how life would have been and treated to a ceremony in one of the most sacred places in Rarotonga.

As the sun goes down everybody then heads to the open-air hall for a huge buffet spread of local cuisine, including an umu. This is food cooked in an underground oven that is normally only reserved for special occasions.

In between courses, the chief leads the show, introducing dancers, singers and musicians who tell the tales of Rarotonga through expression. It’s powerful, moving and entertaining.

You can get picked up from Avarua Escape and driven up the mountain. The views of Rarotonga and the sea below you as you twist your way up the steep road are incredible.

7. Raro Mountain Safari Tours

Sam and his team have been operating Rarotonga’s only 4×4 tours for over twenty years. They take folk on this superbly educational adventure in their trusty jeeps to places no one else can. You will see and learn about the ‘real’ Raro.

You’ll discover some truly unique parts of the island that you cannot get to any other way besides on an ATV. You’ll travel on the island’s ancient Ara Metua (or ‘back road’ as the locals call it), and then venture onto seldom-used 4×4 tracks. A tremendous way to get a sense of the ‘heart’ of this beautiful island.

You’ll see thriving plantations of pawpaw, maniota (arrow root) and other crops. You’ll go down picturesque winding lanes with taro patches on either side, see freshwater streams meandering down from the mountains to the lagoon, ancient sacred maraes and the island’s only waterfall. Before the last magical stop of the tour, you’ll also drive through the abandoned Sheraton Hotel. Then, the magical highlight: a scenic lookout with breathtaking views of the rising lush, green volcanic mountains in all directions. Close by is Te Rua Manga (Raro’s famous Needle, which forms part of the Cross Island hike). After spending time here on top of the world, you begin your descent, meandering down the mountain in the trusty 4×4 to reach a beautiful beach-side location for refreshments.

Sam at Raro Safari Tours brings the colourful history and ancient rituals of the Cook Islands to life along the way. He delivers the tour with true Cook Islands hospitality and provides a wonderful insight into the ‘real’ Rarotonga. 

8. Get down and under with Raro Reef Sub

Check out the semi-sub cruise exploring Rarotonga’s underwater wonderland of the outer reef. Not a glass-bottom boat lagoon cruise, this is the island’s only semi-submersible tour. A great option for all ages from 1 to 101. It is also a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon on the water, particularly if you’re not a confident snorkeller. 

You’ll cruise out beyond the lagoon and explore the marine life and hidden treasures found only in the island’s deep, clear waters of the outer reef. The experienced, knowledgeable guides share fascinating information about Cook Island marine life and the coral gardens. You’ll see huge turtles (probably), lots of schooling tropical reef fish, giant eels, sharks, stingrays and possibly even humpback whales during whale season (July – October).  On the cruise, you will also get up close and personal with Rarotonga’s most famous shipwreck, the RMS Maitai. 

9. Tikioki Marine Reserve (Fruits of Rarotonga)

One of the best places to snorkel in Rarotonga, the Fruits of Rarotonga, is 12kms from Avarua Escape. Wade out into waist-deep water and you’ll already be able to see the colourful fish swimming around your legs. There’s a lot of lagoon to check out here. You can swim out to where the depths get to around 2-3m (6.5-10ft) and see coral with magnificent displays of tropical fish and giant clams.

10. Storytellers – Eco Cycle Tours

See the real Rarotonga from the comfort of quality bikes with Storytellers. Carina is an expert on all things Rarotonga and takes the time to share the richness of the culture, people and history along the way. Get off the beaten tourist routes to many places of historical and cultural significance to the locals. Enjoy fresh fruit straight from the trees and finish your trip with a lovely lunch and a swim in the lagoon. A great family-friendly tour, Storytellers offers an unforgettable bike riding experience and educational walking tours around hidden routes in Rarotonga. There are a variety of different tour options to choose from. Children can easily participate in any of the tours. They have children’s bicycle seats, buggy and trail behind bikes for bicycle tours, and can easily accommodate kids on the walking and truck tours.