Whether or not you’re trying to chill out, study concerning the tradition or go on an journey, there’s no scarcity of epic issues to do on Rarotonga, Cook dinner Islands
We now have to confess that although we’d heard of the Cook dinner Islands, we by no means actually knew a lot about them. We had a sense they’d be tropical, most likely lovely, however we had no concept simply how spectacular they’d be.
This beautiful archipelago in the course of the Pacific Ocean is a self-governing island, in affiliation with New Zealand, that means that it’s technically it’s personal nation, however its individuals are residents of New Zealand.
We have been fortunate sufficient to spend every week on Rarotonga, the most important and most populated island of the Cook dinner Islands, and completely fell in love with its vibe, individuals and wonderful actions.
Our Checklist of the Greatest Issues to Do in Rarotonga
For such a comparatively small place, we couldn’t consider simply what number of Rarotonga actions there have been to take pleasure in.
We’ve been to island locations earlier than the place just about the one exercise was sitting in a hammock by the seashore.
Not right here.
7 days wasn’t almost sufficient time to do the whole lot on the island, however we gave it our greatest attempting to tick all of them off anyway!
Right here’s our checklist of the very best issues to do on Rarotonga, Cook dinner Islands that will help you take advantage of your subsequent journey.
Be aware – All costs listed are in New Zealand {Dollars} (NZD) except in any other case said.
READ MORE: Try our greatest journey ideas earlier than you ebook your journey!
Have an Superior Evening on the Highland Paradise Cultural Present
Whereas the surroundings within the Cook dinner Islands is what blows individuals’s minds, it’s the tradition that makes individuals fall in love with the archipelago, and the very best place to study it’s on the Highland Paradise Cultural Present.
The Highland Paradise Sundown Cultural Present is a dancing, singing and feasting extravaganza held in a small mountain village on the western finish of the island each Wednesday and Friday night time.
You’re picked up out of your lodging and pushed up the mountain, with unbelievable views of Rarotonga and the ocean under you as you twist your means up the steep street.
When you arrive you’re greeted by the chief and brought into the normal village that has been reconstructed to be the identical as it might have been again within the days when warriors and tribes dominated the island.
The chief tells tales of how life would have been, then you might be handled to a ceremony in probably the most sacred locations in Rarotonga.
Because the solar goes down all people heads to the open-air corridor and will get settled in for the remainder of the night time’s festivities.
The cooks carry out an enormous buffet unfold of native delicacies, together with an umu, which is meals cooked in an underground oven that’s usually solely reserved for particular events.
In between the programs the chief leads the present, introducing dancers, singers and musicians who inform the tales of Rarotonga by means of expression. It’s highly effective, shifting and entertaining.
Your complete occasion goes on for just a few hours and is absolutely among the best issues to do in Rarotonga, Cook dinner Islands. Even if you happen to aren’t a foodie or probably not targeted on tradition, you undoubtedly need to attend the Highland Paradise Cultural Sundown Present.
- Value: $110 for adults, $65 for teenagers underneath 12.
Go Snorkelling at Aroa Seaside
There’s no scarcity of wonderful locations to go snorkelling on Rarotonga, and we tried our greatest to pattern as many as doable.
Our favorite place was at Aroa Seaside.
Situated on the southwestern tip of the island, Aroa Seaside is a good looking stretch of white sand with insanely blue water, fringed by coral and rocks only a brief distance from the shore.
Undoubtedly one of many high free issues to do in Rarotonga!
Arrange a spot on the seashore then all you should do is swim out just some metres.
You don’t must go too deep to begin seeing some beautiful marine life, and shortly you’ll be surrounded by loads of fish.
We suggest paddling out to the rocks and coral that type a pure barrier round Aroa Seaside and do your exploring there.
You’ll discover rather more species to examine. The primary Rarotonga sights are its seashores and Aroa Seaside is the most well-liked one.
IMPORTANT – Don’t stand on any rocks or coral, as you’ll be able to injury any life rising on them completely.
Dangle Out on the Punanga Nui Morning Markets
Each Saturday, downtown Avarua comes alive on the Punanga Nui Markets, and no weekend in Rarotonga is full with out wandering round chatting to locals, sampling native delicacies and listening to music.
The markets are a hive of exercise, and on a sunny day it appears like the whole inhabitants comes out to benefit from the environment.
For vacationers that is additionally the place to be if it’s important to choose up some souvenirs.
You’ll discover the whole lot from shell artwork to t-shirts, wooden carvings to work and even hand-made ukuleles.
Be sure to watch the native college kids performing their conventional dances on the stage, and don’t be afraid to pattern all the scrumptious meals and drinks.
In your checklist of what to see in Rarotonga add the morning markets, because the bustle of the pleasant crowd, numerous trinkets and wonderful avenue meals make the markets a part of the total Rarotonga sightseeing expertise.
- Location: Ara Tapu, Avarua District
- Opening hours: each Saturday from 7 AM – 12 PM
Eat a Fish Burger from Mooring Cafe
We now have to be trustworthy with you – if you happen to’re going to spend any time consuming out on Rarotonga, you’re going to finish up consuming loads of fish burgers.
Why? As a result of they’re simply so rattling good!
Being an island in the course of the Pacific Ocean means there’s no scarcity of recent fish for the taking, and native fisherman head out each single day to catch their quota and promote to the eating places and cafes.
We ate at a bunch of them, and so they have been all good. However the best possible fish burger in Rarotonga was at Mooring Cafe, on the sting of Muri Lagoon on the japanese a part of the island.
Their F.O.B. sandwich was completely delectable, with a chunky fillet of mahi mahi cooked to perfection with a comfortable bun, and stuffed with simply the proper of quantity of sauce and salad.
And all of this solely price $13! What a discount. Phrase of warning although – this factor is large, so be sure you skip breakfast earlier than you present up.
- Location: Off Important Street, Avana, close to Muri
- Opening hours: Monday – Friday from 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Sunday from 12 PM – 4 PM
Go Scuba Diving with Pacific Divers
Should you’re a licensed scuba diver, or wish to get certified in your subsequent journey, then Rarotonga is an ideal place to do it!
It’s no secret that the South Pacific Islands are residence to a few of the greatest scuba diving on the planet, and whereas the Cook dinner Islands aren’t fairly to the usual as Palau or the Solomon Islands, the dive websites listed here are nonetheless value exploring.
We went out for a 2-dive tour with Pacific Divers, the highest dive operator on Raratonga, and actually loved ourselves.
The websites we went to have been simply off the pier from Avarua and nonetheless contained in the lagoon. This meant there was minimal time spent on the dive boat attending to and from every location.
The wind was up and seas have been barely tough on the day we went out, however a lot to our shock visibility was phenomenal, virtually as much as 40m!
We didn’t see loads of fish sadly, however on each dives we explored a few swim-throughs in small caverns and even noticed just a few sea turtles.
A light-weight snack and low was included throughout our day, and we loved our floor interval break again on the pier fairly than ready on the boat.
2 dives solely price $99 together with all rental gear, making it an absolute discount. Subsequent time we’ll undoubtedly attempt to get out to the additional dive websites, or maybe go diving at Aitutaki.
Get pleasure from Conventional Rarotongan Hospitality with the Progressive Dinner Expertise
For us spending time with the native individuals is what makes journey so rewarding, and due to that the thought of getting dinner in a household’s residence sounded proper up our alley.
We joined the ‘Progressive Dinner‘ tour, which entails visiting three completely different households residing in a village close to Avarua and having fun with a home-cooked meal with every of them.
The tour begins off with a stroll by means of a plantation with the mum on the home, and he or she explains how Cook dinner Islanders work with the land to farm vegatables and fruits. Then it’s again to her home to benefit from the entree.
At every home you get advised tales from every household, sharing their experiences about what it’s like residing in such an remoted paradise the place neighborhood means the whole lot.
The meals is wonderful and really conventional. You end all of it with an enormous dessert earlier than being dropped again off at your lodging. Your complete expertise lasts for about 4 hours.
To be fully trustworthy on the night time we did it there was an unlimited college group from america collaborating as properly, so it didn’t really feel like we really acquired an opportunity to speak to the locals due to the group measurement, however our information advised us a bunch of this measurement is uncommon.
Should you’re in search of some distinctive Rarotonga actions, this is likely one of the most cultural. It’s held each Monday and Thursday.
If time was brief although and also you had to decide on between the Highland Paradise Cultural Sundown Dinner or the Progressive Dinner, we might suggest Highland Paradise.
This is likely one of the extra in style Rarotonga vacationer sights since you get a possibility to study how locals reside, change into a part of their neighborhood for a day and take a look at some scrumptious meals.
Sort out the Cross Island Trek – Te Rua Manga (The Needle)
The Cook dinner Islands isn’t all about consuming meals and lounging across the seashore! Should you’re in search of adventurous issues to do in Rarotonga, then your first exercise must be the Cross Island Trek.
Chopping proper by means of the a few of the greatest mountain surroundings on Rarotonga, this charming and barely difficult hike solely takes just a few hours, however is certain to check your physique with steep ascents, uneven terrain and muddy tracks.
The hike goes from behind Avarua straight by means of the guts of the island and finally ends up at Papua (Wigmore’s) Waterfall.
Strolling by means of the jungle is really incredible, and whereas it does get very humid, it’s a welcome aid to be within the bushes out of the solar.
You are able to do this hike in both route, however we had just a few locals inform us to complete on the waterfall, because it’s rather more troublesome the opposite means.
The objective is to achieve The Needle, the excessive, jagged rock in the course of the island.
We started our hike early within the morning to beat the warmth and after an hour or so of regular climbing by means of dense jungle we popped out on a slim ridge.
To get to the bottom of The Needle there’s just a few ropes and chains to assist preserve your steadiness, and we charged as much as the bottom for some wonderful views.
We noticed some clouds rolling in so climbed again down and into the protection of the jungle. Moments afterwards the heavens opened up and it began pouring on us.
In excellent circumstances it may need taken us an hour to make it to the waterfall, however with the steep monitor now fully muddy and slippery we needed to take our time. Ultimately it was a few two-hour descent.
The Cross Island Trek is certainly one among our favorite actions on our checklist of what to do in Rarotonga, and we’re so glad we did it.
You are able to do this by yourself, or by means of a tour. A neighborhood legend by the identify of Pa used to information hikers throughout the island, however he has since retired.
If in case you have average health and a fundamental understanding of being out in nature we consider you don’t want a information for this, however it might be good to have an area be a part of you if that’s what you’re in search of.
We did the hike with one other couple we met scuba diving, so we may park one automobile firstly and the opposite on the finish, working shuttles after the hike. In any other case the choice is to hitch or take the bus.
For avid hikers and nature lovers, the Needle is certainly one of many issues to see in Rarotonga!
Seize Dinner on the Muri Evening Markets
There’s a great probability you’ll go away the Cook dinner Islands barely heavier on account of all of the unbelievable native meals out there, and an incredible place to dive into all of it is on the Muri Evening Markets.
Situated at Muri Seaside, these superior night time markets occur each Sunday to Wednesday each week, and there’s no scarcity of selections with regards to what to eat.
You’ll discover a DJ busting out good tunes, households working round having a good time and an enormous number of dishes being cooked up proper there on the markets.
Be sure to strive the desserts – they’re delectable!
- Location: Ngatangiia District
- Opening hours: Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday from 5 PM – 8 PM
Hire a Scooter or Automotive and Drive the Ring Street
One predominant street circles the whole island, making exploration of Rarotonga tremendous easy. All you should do is get a automobile and circumnavigate it!
The 32km paved street follows the coast and cuts proper by means of most of the main villages.
Should you drove it continuous it’ll take about 50 minutes (no person drives quicker in Rarotonga), however likelihood is it’ll take you a large number longer with all of the stops you’ll make!
Do your self a favour and lease a scooter or automotive and spend a while simply driving round with no actual plans.
You’ll discover tonnes of nice seashores, quiet parks, superior eating places and little bars to take a look at.
There’s additionally an inside ring street that was constructed within the eleventh century and goes round about 3/4 of the island.
Should you don’t really feel like driving you’ll be able to all the time soar on the bus. It’s simple to determine – one says ‘clockwise’ and the opposite says ‘anti-clockwise’!
Try half 2 of our Cook dinner Islands vlog!
Take a Day Journey to Aitutaki
Rarotonga is gorgeous, however the fact is it typically will get overshadowed by its smaller, hard-to-believe-it’s-real neighbour, Aitutaki.
45 minutes away by aircraft is the overwhelmingly gorgeous island of Aitutaki, generally known as essentially the most lovely lagoon on the planet.
The identify Aitutaki actually means ‘A Little Paradise’, so with these two info it ought to offer you a transparent indication of what to anticipate.
We’ve been fortunate sufficient to journey to loads of wonderful locations on the planet, however consider us once we say that Aitutaki is essentially the most lovely island paradise we now have ever seen!
We visited on a day tour from Rarotonga, which isn’t the most affordable tour on the planet, however in our opinion is totally value it.
You’re picked up out of your lodging in Raro and brought to the airport early within the morning.
After a really relaxed check-in process, you soar onboard the small propellor aircraft and fly off to heaven.
While you get there you meet up along with your information who drives you into city on an open-air bus.
Driving by means of the tiny villages actually provides you an concept of simply how distant this place is.
After a fast go to to the final retailer to select up any last-minute provides you soar on a standard picket boat and start your cruise over the epic lagoon.
In the course of the day you cease off at 3 completely different islands, supplying you with loads of alternatives to snorkel or stroll across the glistening white sand.
The water is essentially the most spectacular shade of blue you’ll ever see. In reality we needed to de-saturate our photographs simply to make it look actual!
You might have lunch on the boat, comprising of scrumptious recent fish, then end your afternoon at One Foot Island, the gem of Aitutaki.
You’ll be again in Rarotonga within the night. We’re not going to provide an excessive amount of else away about this journey, however belief us once we say that if you happen to’re not planning on spending just a few days in Aitutaki, you on the very least MUST head there on a day tour from Rarotonga!
- Value: $493 per particular person, together with flights
Climb the Raemaru Trek
Should you’re in search of a stroll that isn’t fairly so long as the Cross Island Monitor, however nonetheless gives unbelievable views and enjoyable challenges, be sure you tackle the Raemaru Trek.
We did this on our final day earlier than flying out, and it turned out to be one among our favorite issues to do on Rarotonga.
It’s a easy hike, climbing slowly in elevation, and reducing by means of some lovely jungle.
The final part is a enjoyable scramble up a cliff, with ropes and chains bolted in place to make it simpler and safer. The climb is just 20m or so, and was or favorite a part of the whole hike.
On the high you attain a big plateau with beautiful views over the island, however not fairly as spectacular because the Cross Island Trek.
A lot of wildflowers and fruits are rising up right here, so be sure you spend a little bit of time strolling round.
The Cook dinner Islands Tourism organisation has just lately put in QR codes alongside the monitor that digitally inform the story of Raemaru, including a wholly new interactive expertise to the hike.
The Raemaru Hike begins behind the Arorangi village. It’s 3.1km in whole.
Do Some Whale Watching
Each winter 1000’s of humpback whales cruise the Pacific Ocean, in search of hotter waters to breed in after an enormous season of feeding within the Antarctic.
The preferred place to see these majestic creatures is in Tonga, and a booming tourism business has risen up round it, however the Cook dinner Islands can be among the best locations within the South Pacific to see them.
Whereas seeing the whales is quite common for locals and fisherman, few operators have actually capitalised on this large potential of providing whale watching excursions.
From July to October most individuals merely head to the western aspect of the island and hang around on the shore, maintaining an eye fixed out for the humpbacks to cross by.
Should you’re feeling actually eager, speak to any of the fishing or diving operators to see if they’ll organise a private whale watching tour for you.
Watch Sundown at Black Rock
There are fairly just a few locations to cease and revel in sundown in Rarotonga, however the most well-liked one is Black Rock, on the northwestern tip of the island close to the airport.
It’s fairly an iconic location when visiting Rarotonga, and virtually all people will head on the market sooner or later to swim round within the little channel that varieties at excessive tide.
It’s additionally an incredible place to observe sundown, with the rock forming an ideal backdrop agains a pastel sky. It’s a Rarotonga should see!
You’ll discover numerous locals coming down right here within the late afternoon as properly, so it actually will get a enjoyable, family-friendly vibe.
Take a Dip at Wigmore’s Waterfall
Should you’re in search of a break from consistently swimming in saltwater, it’s time to move to Wigmore’s Waterfall and take a dip in some recent stuff!
This picturesque little water gap is firstly (or finish) of the Cross Island Trek behind the Vaimaanga village.
There’s a small entrance price to move in there, and this goes in direction of sustaining the street and web site.
Be aware that if you happen to hike over from the opposite aspect of the island you don’t need to pay this price. The waterfall is a good place to chill off after your trek.
Be sure to carry loads of bug spray! The mosquitos are nasty there.
Go Stand-Up Paddle Boarding at Evening with KiteSUP
Muri Lagoon is completely gorgeous at any time of day, however if you wish to discover it on an actual distinctive expertise, we suggest signing up for a stand-up paddle boarding tour at night time with KiteSUP.
You head right down to their workplace simply earlier than sundown, get a briefing on the right way to use a SUP (in case you’re new to the game), then because the solar begins dipping down the entire group paddles out collectively to take a look at the lagoon.
It’s loads of enjoyable paddling between islands throughout golden hour, and the guides preserve everybody collectively and share enjoyable tales and jokes to maintain all people entertained.
As soon as it will get darkish the guides placed on a hearth present beneath the starry night time earlier than paddling again to Rarotonga.
Don’t be anxious if you happen to’ve by no means paddle boarded earlier than. You’ll be able to all the time sit down if you happen to discover it onerous to get your steadiness, and no person is in a rush.
Should you’re actual fortunate you would possibly even be joined by a few of the pleasant island canine, who swim together with the SUPers and typically even attempt to hitch a journey.
Seize a Drink at Dealer Jack’s
It will be a sin to go to the Cook dinner Islands and never have a drink at Dealer Jack’s, a bar and restaurant that’s as iconic to Rarotonga as Muri Lagoon.
This slightly-rundown consuming gap is positioned in Avarua proper on the water’s edge, and on a transparent night you’ll discover it buzzing with locals and vacationers.
The meals is bit on the dear aspect, however the high quality is superior.
- Location: Ara Tapu, Avarua District
- Opening hours: Monday – Saturday from 11 AM – 11 PM (besides Friday from 11 AM – 3 AM and Saturday from 11 AM – 12 AM)
Get Soiled with Raro Quad Excursions
Probably the most enjoyable you’ll be able to have on 4 wheels is with Raro Quad Excursions, who run adrenaline-packed ATV adventures by means of Rarotonga’s tough and rugged inside.
These epic quad bike excursions aren’t for the faint of coronary heart. After you’ve got your security briefing and are proven the right way to drive their quad bikes, the guides load everybody up and hit the tracks.
You’ll uncover some actually distinctive elements of the island that you just can not get to another means apart from on a ATV, together with driving by means of the deserted Sheraton Resort, and if there’s one factor that’s assured, it’s that you just will get muddy!
The tour lasts simply over 2 hours.
- Value: $160 for a single, $175 for a double
Swim to the Ship Wreck
Just a few hundred metres from the shore at Avarua is the stays of the RMS Maitai, an outdated cargo ship that ran aground in Rarotonga on Christmas Day in 1916.
During the last century or so the wreck has slowly torn aside and the ocean and coral have claimed it as their very own, so now solely a small part stays seen above the floor.
Should you’re a great swimmer and feeling adventurous you’ll be able to swim out to the wreck and snorkel round it, maintaining an eye fixed out for all types of marine life.
We suggest getting into a bunch for security because the swell and tide may be tough the additional out you get. Don’t try this if you happen to aren’t a really assured swimmer.
Go to the Museums
Rarotonga has a variety of various museums targeted on tradition, artwork and historical past, and visiting them is an effective way to spend a sizzling afternoon or get out of the rain when it comes.
The Te Ara Cook dinner Islands Museum of Cultural Enterprise is the very best one on the island, and it has numerous conventional artwork and data on the Polynesian lifestyle.
The Cook dinner Islands Library and Museum can be one other excellent place to cease off at if you happen to’re in any respect in World Battle 2 historical past. Don’t miss the Cook dinner Islands Nationwide Museum as properly.
Purchase Some Cook dinner Islands Artwork
What higher memento to have out of your journey to the Cook dinner Islands than choosing up some conventional artwork?
Over the centuries, the individuals of the Cook dinner Islands have developed a good looking artwork scene, and at numerous outlets round Rarotonga and on the markets, you should purchase some to take residence with you.
Work are fairly frequent, depicting scenes from the ocean of across the islands, however essentially the most iconic types of artwork are wooden carvings.
Expert artisans spend dozens of hours hand-making these lovely carvings out of locally-sourced wooden, and whereas it isn’t as generally practised lately because it was once, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover nice examples in Rarotonga.
For one thing distinctive and sensible, handmade ukuleles are all the time an incredible memento.
Discover the Muri Lagoon
It’s probably the most lovely locations to go to in Rarotonga, and any journey you make to the Cook dinner Islands will almost certainly embrace at the very least someday swimming, snorkelling and hanging out on the Muri Lagoon.
The lagoon is visually jaw-dropping, with turquoise waters lapping on the Rarotonga shores with a few islands proper within the coronary heart of it, and brief swim (or paddle) from the seashore.
The snorkelling right here is gorgeous, and it’s residence to a few of the greatest issues to do in Rarotonga similar to stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. You’ll be able to even go for a half-day BBQ lunch and snorkelling cruise.
You’ll discover the Muri Lagoon on the east aspect of Rarotonga.
Cool Down with an Ice Cream from Wigmore’s Grocery store
It may well get highly regarded and humid in Rarotonga, and once you want a fast repair to chill you down, do what the locals do and head to Wigmore’s Grocery store for a scrumptious ice cream.
The servings listed here are huge, and there’s at the very least a dozen completely different flavours, so that you would possibly end up heading again time and time once more to strive all of them.
Better of all they’re very low-cost, costing solely $2 for a large scoop in a cone. Wigmore’s can be the most important grocery store on the island, so it’s an incredible place to top off on some snacks earlier than happening adventures.
- Location: Ara Tapu, Takitumu District
- Opening hours: 24h/7
Go on a Pub Crawl
Typically you simply must let your hair out and get a little bit bit free, and Rarotonga is an ideal place to do it!
One of many funnest issues to do in Rarotonga is cruise round to a bunch of various bars, and the crew from the Rehab Nightclub have put collectively an superior night time out with Rehab’s Raro Pub Crawl.
The open air bus goes on a tour of Raro’s greatest bars each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, permitting you to pattern the very best nightlight within the Cook dinner Islands with out having to fret about the way you’re going to get round.
For $10 they’ll choose you up from anyplace alongside the primary ring street, and also you’ll have the prospect to hitch a bunch of excited patrons for an superior night time.
Bar video games and drink specials alongside the way in which for pub crawl members!
See the Deserted Sheraton Resort
The extra we frolicked in Rarotonga, the extra we heard concerning the unusual incomplete and deserted Sheraton Resort.
There’s a complete lot of rumours going round concerning the origins, and eventual demise, of the Sheraton Resort, however the principle we stored listening to essentially the most was that the Italian Mafia moved into Rarotonga and began constructing the resort to launder their cash.
They poured thousands and thousands of {dollars} into constructing one of many grandest, most elaborate lodges within the South Pacific, however the cash ultimately dried up and the native authorities kicked them out once they stopped receiving their kickbacks.
This resulted within the huge complicated being half-built, and over time the jungle has rapidly reclaimed it.
Whether or not there’s any fact to this story or not is one thing you’ll have to analyze in your subsequent journey to Rarotonga.
Entry to the grounds is now closed to the general public, however if you happen to be a part of one of many ATVs tour you’ll be able to have the prospect to drive proper by means of the resort property.
Merely Calm down on the Seaside
You might spend a whole month on the island and nonetheless not tick off all of what to do in Rarotonga, however that doesn’t imply it’s best to fill each waking second being busy.
Don’t overlook that you just’ve travelled to an island paradise – Spend some stress-free on a patch of white sand with the ocean lapping at your ft.
The seashores in Rarotonga are sensational, and all you should do is go for a drive or journey to only about anywhere alongside the ring street and end up a patch of sand to relax out on.
Be sure to head to the west aspect of the island within the evenings for epic sunsets when you sip a Blissful Hour cocktail! One of the best ways to chill out on the seashores of Raro.
Rarotonga Journey Information
Now that you realize all the very best issues to do in Rarotonga, we need to share with you another bits of common journey recommendation for visiting the capital of the Cook dinner Islands.
The place to Eat on Rarotonga
For a little bit island, there are fairly just a few superior spots to seize a meal. Listed below are a few of our favorite locations we discovered for the place to eat in Rarotonga.
Breakfast at Beluga Cafe
That is an absolute should when you’re on the island. Be sure to head to Beluga Cafe at the very least as soon as in your journey to strive their scrumptious breakfasts and actual espresso.
We suggest the sashimi eggs benny!
- Location: Important Street, Arorangi District
- Opening hours: Monday – Saturday from 7:30 AM – 3 PM (besides Saturday from 9 AM – 1 PM)
Fish Burger from Charlie’s
We already really useful getting a fish sandwich from the Mooring Cafe on this checklist of the highest issues to do in Rarotonga, so allow us to offer you one other various.
Charlie’s is one other legendary place to eat on Rarotonga, and their fish burgers are significantly next-level scrumptious. Be sure to are ravenous earlier than you come, or cut up a burger – they’re huge!
- Location: Ara Tapu, Takitumu District
- Opening hours: Monday – Sunday from 11 AM – 9 PM (besides Saturday from 11 AM – 3 PM)
Dinner at Wilson’s Seaside Bar
When the solar goes down there’s a bunch of locations to seize a meal and drink on the west aspect of the island, however our favorite was at Wilson’s Seaside Bar, positioned within the Castaway Resort.
Its location proper on the seashore is solely marvellous, and the meals is incredible. Each night time they’ve a unique theme, or you’ll be able to order off the usual menu.
We went on a Saturday night time once they had Indian curries, and we have been pleasantly stunned with simply how wonderful they have been. Extremely really useful.
- Location: Arorangi Avarua
- Opening hours: day by day from 8:30 AM – 8 PM
The place to Keep on Rarotonga
There’s no scarcity of nice lodging on Rarotonga, and these can vary in value from comparatively low-cost to completely astronomical, relying on what you’re in search of.
Right here’s our checklist of the place to remain in Rarotonga to your funds.
Price range – Backpackers Worldwide
Discovering good lodging at backpacker costs is fairly onerous in Rarotonga, however fortunately one hostel is delivering an incredible product whereas nonetheless managing to be very reasonably priced.
Backpackers Worldwide is a fundamental, but clear and sociable hostel positioned on the west aspect of the island and solely a stone’s throw away from an superior seashore.
Their dorm rooms max out at 6 beds, and so they even have non-public rooms out there. There’s a kitchen so you’ll be able to self-cook (serving to preserve your prices down additional), and the hostel organises all types of nice actions for his or her company.
Mid-Vary – Aroa Beachside Inn
You’ll discover this beautiful resort proper on the picturesque Aroa Seaside, residence to crystal white sand and glistening blue water.
Aroa Beachside Inn has managed to cram a really top quality product into a really reasonably priced value, and each room as a little bit kitchenette, sitting space and outside furnishings with ocean views.
Visitors can benefit from the free use of kayaks and snorkelling gear, and breakfast is included each morning. You’ll be onerous pressed to get a greater place for this value in Rarotonga.
Luxurious – Rumours Luxurious Villas and Spa
Should you’re visiting Rarotonga to your honeymoon, or simply need to keep in the best possible lodging on the island, then you should ebook into Rumours Luxurious Villas and Spa.
Each single villa is correct on the seashore, with a non-public patio overlooking the ocean, however that’s not all you get. Every villa additionally has a non-public pool and gardens proper there inside your property.
The spa is arguably the very best on all of Rarotonga, so it’s an ideal place to pamper your self too. A few of the beachside villas even have their very personal sizzling tub.
If you wish to expertise the epitome of luxurious, Rumours is the place for you.
Our Private Alternative – Ikurangi Eco Retreat
We now have a love of lodging that focus closely on defending the setting and being eco-friendly.
On a spot as lovely and distant as Rarotonga, that is significantly vital, and there’s one place that’s actually taking this idea and pushing it to the subsequent degree.
Ikurangi Eco Retreat is truthfully one of many nicest locations we now have stayed anyplace on the planet, and they’re proudly completely different to the whole lot else you’ll discover on Rarotonga.
To start with, Ikurangi makes use of distinctive safari tents constructed up on stilts for his or her rooms.
These are spacious, surprisingly cool in the course of the days with their pure air flow whereas being heat at night time with additional canvas over the whole tent, and tastefully embellished.
Additionally they have an exquisite characteristic that we significantly couldn’t get sufficient – open-roof bogs!
Meaning you’ll be able to have a bathe (or a shower if you happen to’re within the luxurious tents) with views of a starry night time and palm bushes above you.
Each morning the pleasant managers serve a purely delectable breakfast made with recent fruits picked proper from their neighbouring orchards (the best possible papaya we’ve ever had!) and the espresso and smoothies are unbelievable.
The property has a swimming pool surrounded by bushes and gardens, and company could make use of the bicycles and snorkelling gear without spending a dime.
Additionally they put their cash the place their mouth is with regards to being eco-friendly, which is what made us select this lodging within the first place.
The tents are constructed on shallow foundations so that they go away minimal impression on the earth. All of their cleansing merchandise are pure and chemical-free.
The bathrooms are composting and wastewater is used to water the gardens. Low-energy lightbulbs are used, and naturally they recycle and reuse closely.
They’re additionally massive on placing again in the neighborhood, and so they provide all workers above-average residing wages and buy all their meals and decorations from native individuals.
It’s positioned inland a bit, offering a really completely different and quiet expertise in comparison with all the standard beachfront lodging on Rarotonga.
We completely cherished our time at Ikurangi Eco Retreat and consider in the whole lot they’re doing. We’ll 100% keep right here once more on our subsequent go to.
Find out how to Get to Rarotonga
Until you constitution a yacht, the one method to get to Rarotonga is to fly into their worldwide airport.
Direct flights can be found from Los Angeles within the USA, Auckland in New Zealand and Sydney in Australia. The perfect airline to fly into Rarotonga is Air New Zealand.
We flew in from Sydney and the direct flight has actually made issues a lot simpler when coming from Australia, as you used to need to fly through Auckland.
Air New Zealand flies continuous as soon as per week from Sydney to Rarotonga. One-way Seat fares from $392 (inclusive of taxes). See for extra data and to ebook.
When you’re in Rarotonga you’ll be able to take flights to Aitutaki or a few of the different additional islands.
Find out how to Get Round Rarotonga
Should you’re snug with it, one of the best ways to get round Rarotonga is to lease a automotive or a scooter, as it is going to make shifting between locations a lot faster.
Bicycles are one other nice possibility if you happen to simply need to preserve issues native and stick to 1 aspect of the island.
One other various is to take the native bus, which is an affordable and environment friendly method to get round. Don’t fear, it’s simple to determine – One bus goes clockwise, and the opposite goes anti-clockwise.
That’s it for our information on all the nice issues to do in Rarotonga, Cook dinner Islands. What do you suppose? Have we missed something? Go away a remark under and tell us!
Greatest Time to Go to Rarotonga
We consider that any time is the very best time to go to Rarotonga, however if you happen to’re concerned about travelling when the climate is the best then you definately’ll want to go to of their winter and spring.
That is from Might to October, when the climate is definitely drier and cooler, making it an ideal time to discover Rarotonga.
Should you journey outdoors of this time you’ll be able to anticipate it to be extra humid with increased probability of rain, however you’ll additionally discover that is the optimum time to beat the crowds and get cheaper costs.
DISCLAIMER: Our Rarotonga travels have been made doable because of our partnership with Cook dinner Islands Tourism, and our flights to Rarotonga have been a part of our collaboration with Air New Zealand. All ideas, opinions and numerous fish burgers consumed are, as all the time, our personal
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