A guide to Rarotonga

A guide to Rarotonga

A place we have always viewed as paradise!

Rarotonga (Raro) is the largest island and main hub of the Cook Islands. A 32km road loops the entire island and there’s not one traffic light in sight. Think stunning lagoon-style beaches & friendly locals, there is so much to see and do yet it remains so unspoilt. It feels like one big resort and it didn’t take long for this destination to become our favourite.

Since our first trip in 2011, we were longing to get back. Each day we would search for waves whilst enjoying the relaxing island life. Swimming in the crystal clear blue waters then sun baking on the beach – This place is literally paradise and with hardly any tourists I could definitely get used to this.

What to see & do in Rarotonga

Cross-Island Track & Papua Falls

The cross-island track runs from one side of the island, crossing mountainous scenery, up to the needle and finishing at Papua Falls for a refreshing and rewarding swim. You can also access the falls by a road near the abandoned Sheridon Resort, where mosquitoes will greet you in the carpark before you swim away from them under the icy waterfall.

Swimming & Snorkelling Spots

Some of our favourites include Black Rock – Muri Beach – Muri Beach Lagoon Cruise – Rarotonga Resort – Fruits of Rarotonga – Socials

Markets

Every Saturday they hold the Punanga Nui Cultural Markets at Avaru. It’s always good to mix with the locals and try local produce from the Cook Islands. Our friend Eric, who we met back in 2011 has a stand selling donuts and coconut ice cream. You’ll also find the Muri night markets held in the Muri Beach Village. Four nights a week you’ll find great food trucks, arts, crafts, music and atmosphere.

Te Vara Nui Village

A must activity is the cultural overwater island show with Maori performances, floating stages, waterfall gardens and buffet dinner. Tickets were $89 per person including transfers, dinner and cultural dances. We got picked to dance with the entertainers and few too many drinks later made for a good night!

Game Fishing

Raro is a great place to book a charter and head out fishing!! There are a few charters you can book with online or head down to the marina. You’ll find fish like GT’s, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and more.

Jet Blast Zone

The runway at Rarotonga airport sits closely to the roadside and the waters edge. Planes touch down and take off daily. After checking the local newspaper for departure times, we head to the back roads known as the Jet Blast Zone. With only a fence to separate the runway from the roadside and flowery meadows, it always appears to be a close call as the plane comes in for landing. Jet Blast Zone, you may be asking? I’m not sure how we heard about this crazy activity but it is a thing! Depending on the direction of the wind, you’ll need the plane to take off towards the east. Parking our car just off the road, we sat on the roof awaiting take off. The engines started to roar and before we knew it, we were in the jet blast zone. The extreme force and speed of the wind coming off the plane’s engine shook our car side to side. My eyes were shut most of the time as dust swirled around us. It would be recommended to wear sunglasses, but hold on to your hat! If you’re after more of a thrill, I’ve heard the flights departing the island at midnight can provide you with that.

Where to stay & eat

As I mentioned above, Raro is like one giant resort. There’s a wide range of accommodation options, from 5 star resorts to self contained apartments and even backpacker hostels. But no matter where you stay, you are welcome to visit any resort on the island to enjoy a meal, relax on the beach, hire water equipment or book in a spa treatment. As most produce is imported to the island, it makes the price higher for groceries so it’s usually cheaper to eat out than cook a meal, plus you are on holidays! Some of our favourite resorts & food spots were:

The Rarotongan Resort and Spa

My favourite resort on the island. Great snorkelling right off the beach. Plenty of sun chairs line the white sands where you can relax or enjoy a meal on the deck staring out at the hundreds of fish below.

The Little Polynesian

Luxury accommodation and the most amazing pool and outlook on the island (in my opinion). The food was absolutely amazing and most probably the best meal I’ve had on the island to date! Could you ever get over this spectacular view? Beach bungalows priced at NZ$1,150 per night.

Manuia Beach Resort

With an infinity pool leading you to stare across the bluest lagoon, Manuia Beach Resort is a great place to spend all afternoon in the sun, lying in a hammock under the swaying coconut palms until the sun sets. The food isn’t too bad at the restaurant but there are better places to eat on the island in my opinion.

The Edgewater

A great spot to grab a resort meal or enjoy the island buffet and watch the beautiful sunset.

Club Raro

Located in a quiet part of the island, best to enjoy cocktails at the swim-up pool bar.

The Boog House

On our last trip to the Cook Islands we met Eric Gamez; a professional body boarder who was born in Morocco, grew up in France and moved to the Cook Islands to live the island life. Eric had just started running his new rental accommodation ‘The Boog House’ – simple accommodation but it suited our needs for $25 a night. It slept 6 people, 3 girls and our boyfriends who were primarily there to bodyboard the amazing Cook Island waves. If you’re into bodyboarding then I recommended getting in contact with Eric.

Sails on Muri Beach

With a beautiful outset looking right over popular Muri beach and lagoon, amazing meals are served up. Afterwards, why not jump in a kayak and explore the beautiful waters?

Albertos Steakhouse

Two words: amazing steak! This small restaurant off the side of the road cook up the best steak I have ever had. With a walk up salad bar, you can help yourself to sides. May not be the most nicest looking restaurant on the island but the meals make up for this!

Captian Moko’s Fish & Chips

Best fish burger on the island location at Avana Harbour with the fresh caught fresh most mornings.

Palace Burger

There may not be a McDonald’s on the island, but there doesn’t need to be once you try the amazing Palace burger! A popular food joint on the island, choose from the many burgers cooked up fresh to order. The Palace burger so big it requires a skewer to hold it together

In saying this, there is still lots of fresh produce that is grown & can be enjoyed on the island including fruits like bananas, pineapples and coconuts; so mind your head when walking under coconut trees!

Coco Putt

The islands mini-putt putt course. Party night is held every Wednesday where $20 got us a burger, drink and a round of putt putt golf. A DJ plays tunes and the host will keep you entertained for the night. We were split up into teams which was a great way to meet other travellers from Australia, America, New Zealand and Germany.

Local Produce

There’s lots of local produce to try as a sign on the main road caught our attention about local beer tasting. We drove down the bumpy driveway to the brewery Matutu meaning physical strength where $10 got us a tour of the small brewery tasting 5 beers including red ale, pale ale, lager, wheat and Pilsner.

Another roadside shop to visit is who we refer to as the coconut candy guy who shaves, seasons and cooks the coconut with plenty of flavours on sample including raw sugar, chilli & lime, ginger, salt & pepper, cinnamon & honey and coffee.

There’s also some great local produce and souvenirs to be found in the main town of Avarua. Be sure to check out the fudge!

Getting there and around

There is one flight per week that flies Sydney to Raro direct with Air New Zealand, otherwise check out other flights that go via Auckland.

The island is relatively easy to get around but it is best to hire a car or moped. You will need to get a local Cook Island licence if you choose the bike option, whilst your local car license should be sufficient. There is a public bus that runs two routes, clockwise and anti-clockwise but I honestly recommend hiring your own transport for the most flexibility.

The currency in Raro is the New Zealand dollar with a few Cook Island dollars floating around like the 10, 20, 50c, $1 and the fun triangle shaped $2 coin. Super rare these days but they even have their own $3 note!