18 things to do in Rarotonga: tours, hikes, shops and activities

Wondering what to do in Rarotonga, the Cook Islands? I’m assuming you’ve already taken long walks on the beach, watched the sunset with a cocktail and read all the books. Fortunately there’s a lot more to do to fill your time, and a huge range of tours, hikes, activities and entertainment.

Prices are in New Zealand dollars.

1. Brewery tours

The best thing we did in Rarotonga – easily the best value, at least – was the Matutu brewery tour. Matutu is a tiny local brewery, between Muri and Titikaveka in the southeast (it’s on the inland side of the road; look out for a sign near Rumours villas). It’s more a talk than a tour, but your $10 ticket buys a brilliant insight into beer-making and three pints of the good stuff. Tours run daily at 12pm and 1pm.

Rarotonga Brewery in the north also welcomes visitors, but I don’t think they offer a scheduled tour.

2. Buggy tours

Also fun was the Raro Buggy Tour, which takes you down some inland roads, does a few mad, muddy laps around the spookily abandoned Sheraton hotel complex, visits Wigmore’s Waterfall and stops for a quick golf challenge at a driving range. It costs $150 per buggy (most couples shared) and runs daily at 9am and 1pm. It’s popular so worth booking a few days ahead.

Only do it if you’re a confident driver though. On our tour, a young Aussie guy over-accelerated around a slippery corner, hit a wall and caused a deep cut to his fiancée’s leg, the day before their wedding. 😮 These buggies are worse for wear, but the only real safety issue we saw was driver idiocy.

Also: expect to be completely drenched in mud.

3. The cross-island hike

I’m a bit gutted about this one, because we’d planned to do it until the weather turned. It’s dangerous after rain, as much of it is steep.

The cross-island hike is best done north to south – we’d planned to leave our rental car at the end point on Papua Road and take the bus to Avarua. Get off at Avatiu Harbour, go to the petrol station opposite and follow the road behind it. The road continues inland, turns into a rugged path and starts to rise – just keep going up and you should reach the base of The Needle (Te Rua Manga), Rarotonga’s iconic peak. Enjoy the views, keep following the route markers and you’ll end up on the steep downward path to Wigmore’s Waterfall and Papua Road, which meets the main road.

The hike should take around 3.5 hours. It’s doable without a guide, but if you’re worried, Pa’s Treks charges $70pp for pick-up and drop-off, a guide and a sandwich. Wear proper hiking shoes, bring 2 litres of water per person, snacks and mosquito repellent.

4. Other hikes

There are other walks if the cross-island trek is a bit much. We drove up to Rarotonga Hospital in the northwest, walked up the path that runs up alongside the car park, and got some nice views of the island. The walk to Avana Point in Muri was also recommended for ocean views, or just north of Muri we’re told there are a couple of good walks in Ngatangiia.

Ask locals for advice, and do be wary of steep paths if it’s been raining.

5. Island nights and cultural tours

I love a good island night – it’s an evening of food and entertainment, usually a buffet of traditional foods followed by Polynesian music, dancing and maybe fire dancing.

Two of the best are at Te Vara Nui (pictured at the top of the page) and Highland Paradise, where you can combine it with a tour and talks to learn all about Cook Islands culture and history. Honestly, we thought that sounded really dry, but learned a lot and had a wonderful time.

6. Punanga Nui Market

The market in Avarua is a must if you’re in Rarotonga on a Saturday morning. It’s open from around 8am to noon and sells all sorts of food and crafts.

7. Black pearl shopping

I didn’t think souvenir shopping in Rarotonga was great, in general, but the black pearls are special. Cook Islands black pearls are cultured in Manihiki, a tiny island about 1,300 km north of Rarotonga. They’re not cheap, but worth it, I think, for something to remember Polynesia by.

I went to Farm Direct Pearls, in Harbour House opposite Avatiu Harbour, which is small but trustworthy. Prices range from $10 for lower-quality loose pearls (irregular shapes, occasional flaws) to thousands for the very best (deep colours, even shapes, shiny lustre). Mine was $400 for a grade-A peacock green black pearl on a gold pendant. You can bargain a little, but probably not by more than 5%.

Other reputable pearl stores include Tokerau Jim (opposite Crown Beach in Arorangi), Fishers Black Pearls (next door to the police station in Avarua), Moana Gems, Pearl & Art Factory, The Pearl Lounge, Paka’s Pearls and Goldmine.

The beach in Titikaveka, where we stayed in southeast Rarotonga

8. Unique island tours

A few companies offer eco-conscious tours of Rarotonga. Tik-e Tours takes you around on an electric tuk-tuk – there’s an island tour and cocktail happy hour tour, as well as airport and restaurant transfers. Storytellers Eco Cycle Tours do bike tours for cyclists at any level of experience.

9. Jet blast

Bit of a weird one, I know. A popular pastime in Rarotonga is to position yourself where the airport runway meets the seawall, to feel the force as planes take off and land. Check the international flight schedule; we tried it with a tiny plane and didn’t quite get the hype!

10. Lagoon tours

Don’t bother if you’re going to Aitutaki, but if you want to take a boat out in Rarotonga, the two companies are Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes (sic) and Koka Lagoon Cruises. They’re similar, making a few snorkelling stops, feeding you a barbecue lunch and trying to teach you stuff like coconut tree climbing and weaving.

11. Snorkelling

You don’t need to take a lagoon tour for great snorkelling – there’s a lot to see underwater, right off the shore. The best spot for snorkelling in Rarotonga is widely considered to be Tikioki in the southeast, opposite the Fruits of Rarotonga café. I think you can rent snorkelling masks at the café, though when we were there, it was in the process of reopening under new owners.

Do also bring reef shoes and wear them whenever you’re in the water. There’s coral everywhere, and coral cuts and scrapes can be horrible.

12. Other water-based activities

There’s also stand-up paddleboarding (we considered the nighttime SUP tour, which looks cool!), kayaking (borrow a kayak from your accommodation or rent one on Muri beach), kitesurfing (you’ll also find kitesurfing schools on Muri beach), fishing (Marlin Queen fishing charters cost from $180) and scuba diving (Dive Rarotonga gets good reviews).

13. The party bus

This was recommended, but when we saw it in Rarotonga we’re so glad we didn’t. Shrieking teenagers with glowsticks and cheap cocktails. Maybe it’s not always that bad, but I’d wait until you see it before jumping on board. Going Troppo’s ‘nightlife tour’ costs $40, and Rehab Nightclub’s pub crawl is $30.

Or for something completely different…

14. Church

We’re not religious, but Cook Islands churches are very welcoming. It’s a nice insight into local culture, and the Sunday services are lovely, with lots of singing. We went to a service in Aitutaki, but Rarotonga has CICCs (Cook Islands Christian Churches) all over the island. Ask locally for timings, and dress respectfully; no shorts, flip flops or vest tops.

15. Botanical gardens

Maire Nui Gardens in Takitumu are pretty ($5 entry), but apparently the café is overpriced.

16. Mini golf

A few people recommended Cocoputt, and it did look like it would be fun. Cheap eats too – it’s $20 for a round of mini golf, a burger and a drink.

17. Coconut products

Watch coconut creams and body butter being made at Rito Coconut Products, a shop in Tikioki. It’s about 150m past Fruits of Rarotonga, towards Muri.

18. Spas

Lots of hotels offer spa treatments, including massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Te Manava and Rumours get good reviews; I think both will pick you up from your accommodation if you book, and Rumours has a cool waterfall feature.