Rarotonga may be small, but there’s a ridiculous amount to do here. These are the best things to do in Rarotonga, from dreamy beaches and lagoon adventures to inland hikes, local markets, and even sea scooters if you’re up for something a little different.
Rarotonga is the ultimate holiday destination for many travelers in Australia and New Zealand. It’s a truly chilled island with a laid-back way of life, a good change of pace from back home.
Nevertheless, there are plenty of things to do in Rarotonga to keep you busy. Whether you enjoy relaxing beachside or getting your adrenaline pumping.
I have actually visited the Cook Islands 4 different times throughout my travels and have done basically every activity there is to do in Rarotonga. I even quickly popped over when the New Zealand and Cook Islands bubble opened!
So let’s get into this list of the best things to do in Rarotonga. From swimming with turtles, going on a buggy tour, having a burger the size of your face, epic viewpoints, and so much more!
| Best For | What To Do In Rarotonga |
|---|---|
| Best overall activity | Lagoon cruise |
| Best bucket-list experience | Swim with turtles |
| Best day trip | Aitutaki day tour |
| Best beach | Titikaveka Beach |
| Best food stop | Palace Takeaways / Tiare’s |
| Best market | Punanga Nui Market |
| Best adventure | Raro buggy |
| Best sunset | Black Rock / west coast |
Best Things To Do In Rarotonga: My Top Picks
1. Swimming With Turtles
Swimming with turtles is a bucket list item that very few get to experience and a must-do when planning the best things to do in Rarotonga. You can tick this one off with Ariki Adventures. They’ll take you out on their sea scooters, where turtles can be found chilling out on the reef walls in a trench.
Though, please don’t go looking for it yourself. The currents are incredibly strong, and being in an unfamiliar environment puts you at risk. The crew at Ariki Adventures will always put your safety first to make this adventure one you will never forget.
You can check out my full review of swimming with sea turtles and see how much of an incredible time it was.
2. Lagoon Cruise
A cruise of the lagoon is another must-do while you are in Rarotonga. With Koka Lagoon Cruises you can swim in the crystal clear waters and explore alongside the marine life. They will take you out to visit their ‘mate’ Roger, and to do some of the best snorkeling there is around the island.
Prepare yourself for a day of laughter and amazing sing-alongs. One of my favorite parts of the Cook Island culture is how friendly everyone is, and the crew at Koka Lagoon Cruises is the perfect example of this.
Including a delicious buffet lunch, how could you say no? This is the perfect family-friendly activity that will keep everyone entertained.
3. Eat A Palace Burger
Whether you are looking for a place to fill that never-ending hole in your stomach, or perhaps you simply want to see if the photos are real. You need to head to Palace Takeaways to try their impressive Palace Burger.
The size of this will leave you in awe. Think multiple patties, bacon, coleslaw, eggs, and salad all put together to create a burger the size of your head! Seriously, the below photo shows just how big it truly is.
4. Check Out The Needle
While in Rarotonga, you will find yourself in awe of those sea views. Though, to the surprise of many, the best sight is actually when you venture inland to The Needle. This rock jutting out of the interior of the island is a must-see.
If you are brave enough, you can hike the Cross Island Trek for the ultimate view. This is a popular activity for travelers and one of the best things to do in Rarotonga. Many people decide to book a tour though it is possible to go solo as well.
5. Quad Biking
If you are looking for a little bit of an adrenaline rush, there is no better way than zooming through mud puddles! Exploring with Raro Quad Tours is the perfect morning and allows you to see more of the interior of the island.
The views all around are absolutely amazing of the towering cliffs. It’s honestly a whole new side of Rarotonga that not many visitors manage to see. You will share so many laughs, and it is the perfect change from relaxed island life!
I loved our quad biking adventure in the rain.
6. Day Tour To Aitutaki
You know those gorgeous desktop screen savers of the perfect white island sandy beaches with coconut trees, welcome to Aitutaki. Thanks to Air Rarotonga, getting there is super easy with their day tour which includes a quick 40-minute flight.
On arrival, you’ll get a tour of the perfect town and then the part you have all been waiting for, to jump on the Vaka Cruise and explore the amazing lagoon. No doubt this is the best snorkeling, and the clearest water I have ever seen. I will not spoil the surprises for you, but trust me if you have the money it’s 100% worth it.
This is no doubt the best thing to do in Rarotonga, and I had such an amazing experience ticking it off my bucketlist.
7. Cultural Show
You must spend an evening at Te Vara Nui Village in the popular Muri Beach. If you want to discover more about the beautiful culture in the Cook Islands and have an extremely entertaining evening, I highly recommend booking yourself for their combo extravaganza tour.
You’ll leave with a whole new appreciation for the island, a new understanding of the people, and some awesome dance moves to share with your friends back home. Watch the beautiful overwater dance whilst enjoying a delicious buffet meal.
I had a great evening at Te Vara Nui, enjoying the performances, and the food was amazing.
8. Explore By Scooter
Rarotonga is so much more than the circular road that runs around the island. Having a scooter allows you to get off the beaten track and explore at your own pace. Go beach hopping with your snorkel and fins or adventure along the dirt tracks heading inland.
I spent so many days just riding on my scooter, stopping wherever my heart desired. If I were to only take the bus I wouldn’t have been able to pull over and watch the sunset.
Just make sure you have your scooter license and hire your scooter from a good company.
9. Punaga Nui Market
On a Saturday morning, you can find the locals and visitors mingling together at the Punanga Nui Markets. Held each Saturday between 8 am and 12 pm, this is the perfect place to pick up your Rarotonga souvenirs, a good breakfast treat, and a gorgeous flower crown.
With performances held on the stage as well as many super cute cottage-like stalls for shopping it’s one of my favorite markets! There are also some permanent cafes here where you can grab a meal any day of the week.
10. Raro Buggy Tour
Going on an adventure with Raro Buggy Tours is another must-do. It’s the perfect few hours where you will explore inland, learn about the history and culture, and as well get super muddy!
Being one of the most popular things to do in Rarotonga, I was expecting a generic tour. Think coconut demonstrations and a few basic facts are thrown in there. Though our guide was incredible.
Honestly, I thought I would be a bit bored in the passenger seat, so my friend agreed to swap seats halfway through. Though when the time came, I was having such an amazing time I was just happy to continue being the passenger.
11. Breakfast At Tiare’s
One of my favorite breakfast spots to eat at in Rarotonga is Tiare’s. Not only is it located in a gorgeous garden with chickens freely roaming, but the food here is delicious as well.
I highly recommend you try out one of their fresh donuts. These come in such flavors as jam and lemon curd. I am also a sucker for their big breakfast. The food, drinks, and team here are all great!
Without a doubt, this is one of my top eats on the island. I also have a full foodies guide for where to eat in Rarotonga if you’re looking for your next delicious meal.
12. Hike In Rarotonga
Of course, there is the popular cross-island trek which I mentioned before. Though there are a few different hikes you can do in Rarotonga. This will allow you to see a different side of the island apart from the beach and will help you work off that huge burger from Palace Takeaways.
A popular choice is the Raemaru trek. This is easier than the cross-island trek and a lot shorter as well just being 90 minutes return. The hardest part is a 15-meter rock climb at the top to the viewpoint. This is well signposted, and you don’t need a guide.
13. Snorkel At Titikaveka Beach
Snorkeling at Titikaveka Beach is one of the best things to do in Rarotonga and is honestly one of my personal favorites as well. Just park up opposite fruits of Rarotonga and take the plunge into the waters.
It can be a bit murky in the shadows unless it is a super calm day. Therefore you will want to swim out a bit for excellent views. Here you can also find the coral canyons. These are huge coral formations you can swim in and out of.
If you are the most confident swimmer you can also do a Lagoon Sea Scooter Discovery here. I did this on my most recent trip and we had an awesome time.
14. Muri Beach Night Market
The Muri Night Markets are a popular evening hang-out spot for travelers. Here is where you can get some delicious food and support the locals.
There are numerous stalls selling literally everything you could ever want, food-wise. Whether that is sweet, savory, or perhaps something in between. This is a great spot to try some local dishes such as Ika Mata,
There is a huge seating area here, and it’s a great way to meet other people as well.
15. Pig Out At Villi’s Burgers
You cannot go to Rarotonga without grabbing a bite to eat at the popular Villi’s Burgers. This delicious spot specializes in you guessed it, burgers. Though these ones here are covered in the famous Villi’s sauce, which is a must-try.
They are located next to KAPS Matavera on the east coast. Be aware that if you don’t like onions, ask to leave them off your burger as they can seriously pack it on.
16. Swim At Black Rock Beach
Black Rock Beach is named after the huge black rock that rises from the ocean on the left-hand side.
There is an excellent viewpoint here just before you get there traveling clockwise (you’ll see the cars all pulled in). For the ultimate pic, get someone to take a pic of you from the viewpoint while you run down to the shallow mermaid-like pools around the black rock!
I found this a great beach just for swimming. There are some large rocks under the water providing a home for corals and fish. Though the water can be quite murky and currents strong, so don’t expect perfect snorkeling conditions.
17. Go Kayaking
Around Muri Beach, you have an assortment of Motus (islands) that you can kayak to. There are plenty of places to hire these from on Muri Beach.
Koromiri is the best one islands to check out. From Muri Beach, it’s a quick paddle, and then you’re in paradise. Just make sure you swim on the part facing towards Muri Beach. The back area of the island is rocky, wavy, and has stonefish.
I have explored a few different Motus by kayak and definitely recommend Koromiri. A lot of the other ones that are completely inhabited are absolutely swarming with sandflies and mosquitoes. So much so that you will find yourself running back in the water to duck for cover.
18. Wigmore’s Waterfall
For a different way to cool off, head to Wigmore’s Waterfall. This is for sure at the top of my personal list of the best things to do here.
You’ll see the entrance shortly after driving past the Sheraton when traveling anti-clockwise around the island. Sometimes you will need to pay a fee to go up, and sometimes not. Nevertheless, some of the money goes towards the SPCA to support them in looking after the animals.
At the top of this road, you will find the impressive Wigmore’s Waterfall. The water here is much cooler than the ocean. Though this makes it super refreshing after a long day of exploring. Just remember to bring some bug spray with you because the mosquitoes here are on a whole other level.
19. Evening At Charlie’s
For the perfect evening alongside other travelers and locals, definitely head to Charlie’s along Titikaveka Beach. This is the ultimate hangout for a chill time with delicious drinks.
They have a decent menu as well as happy hour. Though in all honesty, I recommend simply coming here for dinner and drinks with a good atmosphere. They often have live music playing, and it is just an all-around good time.
20. See The Sheraton Hotel
You cannot come to Rarotonga without being in absolute awe of the huge falling-apart Sheraton Hotel. Though the name hasn’t got anything to do with the worldwide brand. Instead, the supposed 7-star hotel’s name was chosen to encourage bookings.
Nowadays this eyesore is a great contrast from the small style homely hotels and hotels that currently dot the island. Even though it was only months out from opening when the building stopped, there was still a lot of work to go which would’ve changed the entire tourism industry of Rarotonga.
Many locals weren’t paid for their work at the hotel. So when word got out that the building had stopped and that they had run out of money everything inside was fair game. Fully furnished rooms were stripped, and beds, televisions, air conditioning units, and even marble counters were gone.
There was still a road to be built behind the back of the resort, and the portion out the front would be re-routed behind. This would be to make room for a man-made beach-style pool overlooking the ocean.
21. Watch Sunset
There is no better way to finish off a perfect day in Rarotonga than by enjoying the sunset on the beach. The sunset is on the West island of the island, so this is where you will get the best views.
Nevertheless, the sky around the whole island generally turns a beautiful shade of red. Though on the Western side, you’ll see the sun drop below the horizon and put on a show, so it’s extra special.
22. Snorkel At The Aro’a Marine Reserve
Aroa is my personal favorite beach in Rarotonga, so much so that I booked the Rarotongan Resort on my recent trip. This resort looks straight over this beach, and I couldn’t imagine a better holiday.
Aroa Beach is an absolute paradise. Imagine clear blue waters, a white sandy beach, and the best snorkeling in Rarotonga, just bring along a mask and some flippers. You’ll need to swim out a bit to come across the coral formations, but once you get there it’s great.
This area is actually a marine reserve, so it is protected under the law. Personally, I have seen moray eels, pufferfish, lionfish, and so much more in the reef here.
Luckily, you don’t need to stay in the Rarotongan Resort to visit. Heading anti-clockwise around the island there is a small parking area just before you hit the resort. This is the best place to pull in and enjoy.
23. Cocktails On The Beach
You can’t go past spending some time on the beach enjoying a delicious cocktail. I mean this is one of the best things to do in Rarotonga. Who doesn’t want to listen to the waves splashing on the shore while enjoying a fresh pina colada?
One of my favorite spots to grab a cocktail from is Captain Andy’s at the Rarotongan Resort. Happy hour is between 5 pm to 6 pm, where there are set cocktails for only $12.00. There are also some delicious bar snacks and an epic seating area over the ocean.
24. Coffee From Love Cafe
If you are a coffee lover, I highly recommend checking out Love Cafe. This is a gorgeous little coffee shack just up past Matavera Pre-School. I discovered Love Cafe as a random one-off stop in search for good coffee!
There is a decent seating area set up with a few tables and umbrellas helping keep the hot sun off.
The ladies who run it are absolutely lovely, and there is always a resident chicken roaming around. They have some delicious home-baked food options as well as toasted sandwiches. Just a few easy options to give you enough energy to start the day.
25. Check Out The Planes Taking Off
If you love plane watching, there is an epic viewpoint in Rarotonga where you can watch the planes land or take off, depending on the wind direction. This is opposite the Super Browns petrol station.
Though if you don’t know where this is, no stress. When driving around the island you will quickly spot it. Traveling clockwise, it is just before you hit Avarua where the road opens up to the sea.
You can find the flight arrival and departure times online at The Cook Islands Airport website. Grab an ice cream from next door and get ready to do some plane spotting.
26. Avana Passage Viewpoint
There is a little-known viewpoint down the end of Kaireva Drive in Muri Beach. You’re best parking on the road and walk down to it. Down here, there is a loop track you can walk around, and there is an excellent view over to the Avana Passage.
Make sure to wear decent shoes and the rocks are so sharp here. Enjoy watching the quiet lagoon in contrast to the wavy ocean. Be aware that this is not safe for swimming as the currents are extremely strong.
27. Go Coconut Crab Hunting
Somehow, I always find myself wandering along the beach on the lookout for coconut crabs. They are more of a rare sight in Rarotonga, so consider yourself lucky if you find one.
The best way to spot one is at night. Sometimes, if you are super lucky, you will be able to see them up the top of the shoreline at the beaches. There are also plenty of other crabs and marine life to see at night. We have only seen 1 coconut crab during my trips to Rarotonga.
28. Enjoy Ice Cream On The Beach
After a swim at Black Rock Beach, head over to the Nikao Social Centre, just make sure you do not park under a coconut tree! Here you will find an assortment of food trucks serving up lots of delicious foods and sweets.
Though my favorite has to be Brews and Scoops. They serve up real fruit ice creams as well as smoothies, milkshakes, and coffees.
29. Party Bus
The famous Raro Pub Crawl Party Bus is also a must if you want to check out the nightlife here. This is one of the coolest ways to party on the island and meet other people.
As with any good pub crawl, you’ll visit a few different bars and end up at Rehab. Expect a fun guide, great music, and funny games. It operates Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and you will be picked up and dropped off anywhere along the main road.
Where To Stay In Rarotonga
Beach front location with affordable bungalows from $105.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
With standard rooms from $130.00 you can enjoy life on the beach at an affordable price. BOOK NOW |
Sanctuary Rarotonga Resort & Spa Romantic adults only resort. With rooms from $230.00 per night enjoy luxury in peace. BOOK NOW |
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa Set on a private beach this 4 star resort is the perfect getaway from $190.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
Wrap Up: Best Things To Do In Rarotonga
As you can see, there are so many awesome things to do here in Rarotonga. Whether you’re keen on something adventurous, exploring the ocean, relaxing on the beach, or eating your way around.
Take this from somebody who has ticked off all the main highlights, you’re bound to have an amazing time here, no matter what.
Though I do highly recommend giving snorkeling a go, especially if you haven’t tried it before. This is a cheap activity, perfect for all ages, and the conditions around the island are ideal for it.
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. So, if you click on it and purchase something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and your support is much appreciated.
I was a guest with Ariki Adventures, Koka Lagoon Cruises, Raro Quad Tours, Air Rarotonga, and Te Vara Nui Village while in Rarotonga. All opinions are my own throughout these articles.
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Do any of the restaurants mentioned in the article offer free wifi????
I love Rarotonga! It’s such a beautiful place and the people are so friendly. I would definitely recommend visiting if you’re looking for a relaxing holiday.
Everything looks amazing! I’m from Hawaii, but I need to explore more of the Pacific Islands!