10 Unmissable Things to do on Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Where to Stay in Rarotonga

Rarotonga offers a lot of great accommodation options across the island. Due to its small size, no location is a bad choice. Accommodation makes your time in the Cook Islands extra special.

West side (Arorangi): The side is a bit quieter, with only a few restaurants. However, it’s a slightly nicer beach area, and the sun sets here, too. We stayed at Magic Reef Bungalows here.

East side (Muri): This side has lots of great little cafes and restaurants, more rocks/corals, except if you stay around Muri Beach. It’s also a bit windier on this side of the island. We stayed at Ocean Escape Resort. Keep in mind, it’s only a 25-minute drive to the other side of the island anyway.

Our favorite hotels in Rarotonga 😴

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Ocean Escape Resort

Rarotonga

Muri Retreat Apartments

Rarotonga

Magic Reef Bungalows

Rarotonga

See available hotels in Rarotonga

Check available hotels

Check available hostels

You could also decide to stay on the north side (Avarua); however, it is closer to the main town and much busier. Tip: Choose an accommodation with its own kitchen so you can prepare some of your own food. 

Exploring more of the Cook Islands? Check out our complete itinerary here.

Things to do in Rarotonga

As the largest of the three Cook Islands, Rarotonga offers a perfect holiday experience: slow, island life. Between its jagged, jungle-clad peaks that drop into clear, turquoise lagoons protected by a vibrant coral reef, there are lots of things to see and do on Rarotonga. 

It remains refreshingly unspoiled—you won’t find a single traffic light, fast food chain, or building taller than a coconut tree. Oh, and the free-roaming dogs on the island are friendly (most have owners!).

Note: You’ll see drone photos in this article, but drones aren’t allowed by default. The Cook Islands are small, so virtually everywhere is a no-fly zone. We requested a permit via the official process.

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1. Punanga Nui Market 

Punanga Nui Market is one of the best things to do in Rarotonga, Cook Islands! It’s right by the waterfront in Avarua and perfect for a morning stroll. The main market happens once a week, when all the colorful stalls open and the atmosphere is at its best. 

We loved the fresh fruit, smoothies, pastries, island food, and great coffee you can find here – we had a coconut milk espresso and it was delicious! There are also handmade crafts, clothing, jewelry, and even ukuleles. 

• When? Saturdays from 6 AM – 12 PM.
• Around 9 AM, there’s a free cultural performance on stage. 
• You can park along the main road next to the market. 
• Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water—it gets hot quickly.

2. The Needle Hike

As part of the Cross Island Track, a 6-kilometer hike from north to south, the Needle sits about halfway. This epic rock sticks out along the mountain ridge and appears to be split into several stone slabs. From here, you have a fantastic view over the lush valley below.

The route leads along a densely overgrown jungle path. It has open sections, but you’ll be in the shade about 90% of the time. It’s uneven and has many roots protruding, so tread carefully. 

Once you get to the Needle, put your fears aside; it’s time to climb along the ridge with some ropes and chains to hold onto. It’s a small section, but if you’re afraid of heights, keep this in mind. We thought the hike was amazing, and actually wished there were more like it in the area! 

Hike Details + Tips:

• Duration: 3 KM and takes about 2 hours (round-trip). 
• Elevation gain: 495 meters. Go in the morning so you can rest in the shade of the Needle at the viewpoint. 
• Download the map offline via Google Maps or a hiking app like AllTrails. 
• You’ll need a relatively good fitness level to complete the hike. 
• Bring sunscreen, bug spray (a must 😉), and enough water.  
• The full Cross Island Track ends at Wigmore’s Waterfall on the south side. When we were there in December (end of the dry season), the waterfall was dry, so we decided to hike only to the Needle. 
• If it rained the night or day before, the trek will be slippery and muddy. We did it about two days after a heavy shower, and we still had to watch our steps. 

3. Jetblast

One of the most unique things to do on Rarotonga is experiencing the jet blast. Near Black Rock Beach, the main road runs right before the airstrip. From here, you can watch the planes take off from the island. 

Park your car and stand on the sidewalk as planes fly directly over your head. It’s loud, and a little scary—but also very cool. Check the flight schedule and try to catch a big plane, like Air New Zealand. Those are the most impressive!

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4. Visit the Dog Shelter 

The SPCA Animal Shelter is a heartwarming place to visit on Rarotonga Island. It lies close to Wigmore’s waterfall and is run with so much love and care. Here, you’ll meet the volunteers caring for rescued dogs from all over the island, who were neglected or injured and waiting for a new home. 

Which is going great, it seems. They secured new funding for their work, and just before our visit, over 15 dogs had already been adopted! 

5. A Trip to Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Aitutaki was the highlight of our trip to the Cook Islands, as the scenery and the Pacific Resort is absolutely stunning. This beautiful atoll is made up of roughly 15 small islands, a vibrant, turquoise lagoon, and a surrounding barrier reef.

You can visit on a day trip from Rarotonga or stay for a few days. If you can, we highly recommend staying at least two nights. Flights take about 40 minutes and aren’t cheap, but they’re worth every cent. The beauty here is on another level. 

On a day trip, join the Vaka Cruise on the lagoon, explore the small islands, go snorkeling, and relax in crystal-clear waters before flying back later in the afternoon.

6. Do the Island Loop

Rarotonga is a small enough island to drive around in about 40 minutes. But trust us, you’ll want to take your time. We loved cruising the coastal road, stopping for coconuts, coffee, and lunch along the way.

The back roads are beautiful, too, leading you to secret jungle spots. During our visit in December, the flame trees bloomed bright red, making the drive even more special. 

Make a stop at Wigmore’s Superstore, a local favorite on the southside of Rarotonga Island that’s open 24/7. The ice cream isn’t amazing—but it about the experience. And then, around sunset, pull over wherever it looks nice. Chances are, you’ll have the views all to yourself. ☺️

7. Visit the Beaches

The Cook Islands have fantastic beaches, and Rarotonga is no exception. There’s something for every mood: some are calm and perfect for swimming, while others are great for sunsets. Here are our favorites:

Muri Beach

• This is the most popular beach with shallow water and beautiful colors.
• Kayak or SUP around Muri Lagoon.
• Join the famous BBQ lunch cruise.
• Great for snorkelling, go to the small island (Motu) in front of Nautilus Resort.
• Get a fresh fruit smoothie or local coffee at On the Juice Bar! 

Black Rock Beach 

• Most of the time, there’s no wind here. 
• Usually a calm place for good snorkelling and white sand beaches. 
• Vibe Fish Van is great for dinner!

Titikaveka Beach

• One of the best places to go snorkelling.
• You should be able to see many blue sea stars here! 

Tip: To protect the beautiful reefs around the Cook Islands, wear reef-safe sunscreen. The top two ingredients to steer clear of in your sunscreen are oxybenzone and octinoxate.

8. Swim with Turtles

On the south side of Rarotonga Island, one of the best things to do is to go swimming with turtles. It’s one of the most unforgettable activities in Rarotonga.

Using underwater scooters (!), you’ll explore the Avaavoroa Passage. The current is really strong here, which is why you can only visit on a tour. The scooters are easy to use, and you’ll get a feel for them in shallow water first. However, safety boats will be nearby at all times if you feel unsure. 

During the tour, which we booked through Ariki Adventures, you’ll spot turtles and the most colorful fish. We recommend booking a private tour (we didn’t do that, but wished we did).

Be careful not to touch or stand on the coral reefs, we saw too many people do this despite having been given a brief not to do so. The crew will take photos of you with the turtles. 

9. Te Vara Nui Village

Te Vara Nui Village offers one of the best cultural shows on Rarotonga. The performance takes place over water and tells a local Cook Islands story. Here, Polynesian legends come to life under the stars. 

The evening starts with a big buffet-style dinner with local and Western dishes in a relaxed, tropical setting. Think taro leaves (Rukau), fresh fish, and marinated chicken in plentiful amounts. It’s simple but good and part of the experience. After dinner, dancers, singers, and drummers take the stage, their bright costumes shining in the garden’s torchlight. It’s truly impressive to watch. 

10. Maire Nui Gardens

Nestled in the lush hills of Titikaveka, Maire Nui Botanical Gardens is a seven-acre tropical sanctuary that feels like stepping into a living postcard of Rarotonga.

There’s also a lovely little cafe on-site known for its legendary treats. Don’t leave without trying their famous lemon cheesecake or fresh tropical smoothies.

How to Get to Rarotonga

Who flies to Rarotonga? There are direct flights from Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Tahiti, departing a few times a week. In high season, there are more.

Rarotonga has a tiny airport—you’ll spot crabs and chickens walking on the tarmac! 😂 In true island style, you won’t have to arrive really early for any of the departing flights.

Getting Around

Once on Rarotonga, you can easily explore by bus. It goes around the island, both clockwise and counterclockwise (it’ll say this on the bus). It operates from 7 – 10 PM every day. 

• Single ride: 5 NZD (2.89 USD)
• Day pass: 16 NZD (9.27 USD)
• 10 rides: 30 NZD (17.38 USD)
• Tickets can be used by multiple people and don’t expire. 
• Luggage costs 2 NZD extra. 
• Can hop on and off anywhere.

By car: Alternatively, you can explore by car. Rarotonga is 67 km², so it takes only 40-50 minutes to drive around the island. All roads are max 30 km/h or 50km/h, so it’s a chill pace but great for getting around—something you’ll appreciate after a few days! Remember: You drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Budget

Is Rarotonga expensive? Together with the other Cook Islands, it’s definitely more costly than a trip to Asian hotspots like Bali, Thailand, or Malaysia.

However, you can budget by cooking your own meals, shopping at local markets, taking advantage of happy hours, and choosing accommodations with kitchens. The Cook Islands uses the New Zealand Dollar, but the country also issues its own banknotes and coins with beautiful designs. 

Where to Eat in Roratonga

The Cook Islands have a really good cuisine, with Ika Mata as its signature dish: raw fish in coconut milk. It reminded us a lot of ceviche! There are lots of good fish and meat options (such as burgers), plus plenty of vegetarian meals.

For such a small island, there’s a lot of choice when it comes to restaurants and cafes. However, note that most are closed on Sunday. 

Some of our favourites are: 

Best Time to Visit

There’s no bad time to visit Rarotonga, as the island has warm and sunny weather year-round. However, the dry season runs from late April to November, when it’s less humid and perfect for beach-hopping. Because of the mountains, it seems to cool down a little in the evenings, which is nice!