Travel Cook Islands: Rarotonga Travel Guide 2026

In this Rarotonga travel guide you will uncover the most unforgettable things to do in Rarotonga; snorkel the gorgeous blue lagoon that encompasses the island, get your adrenaline pumping with a dirt buggy ride or relax with cocktails on the soft white sand beaches.

This travel guide will give you a quick glimpse into what you can fill your Rarotonga itinerary with and a short overview of what to expect when you visit this incredible Cook Island escape. If you are needing further explanation or details, I have provided links to other articles I have written about the area. The purpose of this Rarotonga Travel Guide is to introduce you to the area and inspire you for your next trip.

There is no shortage of things to do in the Cook Islands and this Rarotonga travel guide will try and cover them all!

Best Time to Visit Rarotonga

Before you plan your holiday to the Cook Islands, it’s handy to know the best time to visit for what you want to see and do while staying in Rarotonga

• Dry Season (April – November):
  Warm and sunny with lower humidity, comfortable winds and temperatures averaging ranging between 25°C to 28°C.
  • Pros: Ideal for swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and kitesurfing (May–October). Whale-watching season from July to October, when humpback whales migrate past the foreshore.
  • Cons: This is peak tourist season; higher accommodation rates and busier beaches, especially around July and August.
    
• Shoulder Months (April, May, September, October):
  Pleasant weather, may have more cool spells during this time so pack a light, warmer layer.
  • Pros/Cons: Smaller crowds and more reasonable prices. September is particularly popular for mild weather and whale sightings, still good weather for lying on the beach but you won’t get scorching temperatures.
    
• Wet / Humid Season (December – March):
  Hotter and more humid with temperatures reaching above 26°C, accompanied by short, heavy tropical downpours.
  • Pros/Cons: While it is the cyclone and rainy period, downpours are usually quick rather than all-day events. It brings the quietest atmosphere, lush green scenery, and the cheapest flights and accommodation rates.

Rarotonga Quick Facts

Rarotonga Public Transport

There are two buses on the island – a Clockwise and an Anti-clockwise, and they travel only on the main round which circumnavigates Rarotonga. Each time you hop on you pay the fare (as below), but I highly recommend buying a 10 concession bus pass for $35. It’s a paper ticket which you can tag multiple people on with on a single trip if you need to.

Adult – $5
Child – $3
Luggage – $2

Cook Island Currency

Rarotonga uses the New Zealand dollar, they do have their own local currency which is interchangeable with the NZ dollar while on the island however you can’t use Cook island coins in New Zealand

Best Things to Pack

The best things to pack for your next trip to Rarotonga are all suncare and weather related! The sun in the southern hemisphere can be brutal so you need sunblock, a comfortable hat and loose clothing for those sunny days.
Reef shoes are also a must, some resorts do allow guests to hire them but it’s better safe than sorry. The lagoon is home to many wonderful and beautiful sea creatures but you don’t want to risk cutting yourself on a rock or piece of coral.

• Reef safe sunblock (Harsh chemicals kill the reef and sealife)
• Swimwear
• Loose clothing to cover up during hot days
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle

Where to Stay in Rarotonga

Edgewater Resort – Child Friendly Resort

The Edgewater is the largest resort and one of the most popular places to stay in Rarotonga; with 6 acres of tropical gardens surrounding a range of rooms, suites and villas. The outdoor swimming pool is on the terrace near a section of dining tables perfect for families who want to relax but keep an eye on their children. Edgewater Resort also features a salon, tennis court, activities hut and the Coconut-Kids Club.

The Edgewater is more than just a location to eat and sleep, the activity hut hosts a range of activities everyday to keep even the pickiest of children entertained. Activities like crab racing and snorkeling lessons are a great idea to get the whole family involved! The activities hut is also where you can hire towels, snorkels, flippers and reef shoes free of charge.

Club Raro – Ages 18+ only

Club Raro is the sister resort to Edgewater and is one of a few adult only resorts in Rarotonga. Club Raro is a great alternative if you want the trustworthy and reliable brand of The Edgewater Resort, but simply don’t want to be surrounded by children.

A free transfer bus travels between Club Raro and The Edgewater Resort daily if you still wish to use the facilities or beach access at The Edgewater.

Crown Beach Resort – Ages 18+ only

The Crown Beach is another ideal place to stay in Rarotonga if you don’t want to share your resort with children. Located a few doors down from the Edgewater resort, Crown Beach resort has a range of accommodation options ranging from private bungalows to villas; makings a great place to stay in Rarotonga if you want your own little slice of paradise.

Each bungalow comes with a kitchenette and your own little deck, whereas the villas come with your own private swimming pool.

Snorkeling in Rarotonga

Snorkeling in Rarotonga is one of the most memorable water based experiences I have ever had; I swam within a metre of turtles and floated above eagle rays travelling through the channel in Rarotongas lagoon.

If you’re looking for one of the best snorkeling experiences in Rarotonga then I highly suggest making a booking with Aqua Oz Turtleman. Oz takes out private groups to snorkel the channel, providing the flippers, snorkel and camera to immortorlise some of your best memories.

Related: Love Snorkeling? Check out Moreton Island in Australia for more amazing snorkeling experiences!

Quad Bike Tour

With Aqua Oz you can also hop onboard your own quad bike and go on a tour throughout Rarotonga while driving on your own quad bike. The tour takes around 2 hours and takes you through the inner island streets and roads that you wouldn’t likely travel down as a tourist.

Dirt Buggy Tours

If you’re looking for thrill seeking things to do in Rarotonga then look no further than a Dirt Buggy Ride with Raro Buggy Tours. Hosted on a large piece of private land you will spend almost 2 hours speeding through mud and dirt for an exhilarating self driven buggy experience. This is one of the best things to do in Rarotonga especially if you’re not afraid to get muddy!

Top Tips for the Raro Dirt Buggy Ride:

• Anyone with long hair should consider doing a French braid or plaiting your pony tail. By the end of the day after having dry dirt tossed in my direction and succumbing to the pool of mud my hair had the texture of a horses tail.
• Wear old clothes or stuff that you don’t mind getting submerged in mud.
• Bring sunglasses! the ‘dry buggy ride’ will have a lot of dirt being kicked up in your face and eyes.

Markets in Rarotonga

A Rarotonga travel guide isn’t complete without visiting the markets. The markets in Rarotonga are held on a Saturday morning and the night markets are on 4 different nights of the week.

Punanga Nui Market

When: Saturday 7am – 1pm
Where: Avarua (Rarotongas main town)

This Saturday market in Rarotonga is held on the waterfront in Avarua. With over 200 outdoor and undercover stalls you will find an array of handmade goods, black pearls, fresh fruits and vegetables, clothing and plenty of souvenirs to fill your suitcase.

Muri Night Market

When: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, 5pm until food sells out.
Where: Muri Beach Village

This open air night market is home to numerous food trucks and stalls offering fresh seafood, local cuisine, noodles, pizza and Asian-inspired dishes. The Rarotonga night market is the perfect place to be if you can’t all agree on what to have for dinner. Make sure you bring cash, although some larger stalls may accept eftpos or credit cards.

The Best Places to Eat in Rarotonga

Here is a quick list of some of the best places to eat in Rarotonga.

Vilis Burgers

Fresh burgers, soft buns, indoor and outdoor seating. What more could you want? Make sure you head upstairs and check out Romias Hut for printed T-shirts and tank tops.

Palace Burgers

We didn’t try these burgers but have heard reviews from different people that they are delicious.

Trader Jacks

Right by the water with great views of The Boiler, Trader Jacks is a great place to dine if you want a sit down meal packed with a lot of flavour.

Anchorage

If you’re looking for an affordable fine dining resturant in Rarotonga then look no further that Anchorage restaurant! Located within the Sunset Resort a short walk from Edgewater making for an easy night out not having to rely on public transport or private transport.

Dogs in Rarotonga

When you touch down in Rarotonga the first thing you may notice is the amount of ‘stray’ dogs wondering the streets. However, I can assure you that majority of these dogs are owned and well loved, they are just free to roam! During my week in Raro I didn’t come across any dangerous or aggressive dogs which would happily roam through the resorts, hang out on the beaches or sit outside shops.

One of the most beautiful aspects of Rarotonga is that all the animals seemingly live in harmony; chickens, cats and dogs all roam freely across the island and there is no road kill or plumes of feathers in sight!

More Experiences for your Rarotonga Travel Guide

Rarotonga is full of wonderful experiences but of course I haven’t indulged in them all. The following list of things to do in Rarotonga are worth adding to your Cook Island Travel Guide. But be sure to do your own research as I am not lucky enough to share my own personal experiences!

• SPCA Puppy Walk
• Maire Nui Botanical Gardens
• Lagoon Cruise