Brief Summary
This video provides a comprehensive guide to 12 awesome things to do in Rarotonga, the Cook Islands. It highlights the island's laid-back lifestyle, stunning lagoon, fresh seafood, and opportunities for adventure. The video also includes bonus tips on currency, Wi-Fi, and essential items to bring.
- Explore the lagoon with a tour, enjoy fresh seafood, swim with turtles, and relax in luxurious accommodations.
- Visit the markets, chase the sun with sunrise and sunset tours, and explore the island by foot, e-bike, or rental car.
- Enjoy local beer and cocktails, snorkel in the marine parks, embrace the rain with a buggy tour, and meet the friendly locals.
- Take a day trip to Aitutaki, the Cook Islands' second most popular island, and experience the local culture through a progressive dinner.
Rarotonga
This chapter introduces Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook Islands, as a beautiful holiday destination with a laid-back lifestyle. It highlights the absence of traffic lights, big chain fast food, and tall buildings, emphasizing the island's natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The video encourages viewers to embrace the "island time" and enjoy the paradise that Rarotonga offers.
Lagoon Tours
Rarotonga is surrounded by a lagoon that provides gentle swimming conditions, beautiful coral, diverse marine life, and clear turquoise water. The video recommends tours with Captain Tamas or Coca Lagoon Tours as the best way to appreciate the beauty of the lagoon. These tours offer glass-bottom boat rides, traditional Polynesian music, snorkeling, and the opportunity to explore both above and below the water.
Local Seafood
Rarotonga offers a variety of fresh seafood options. The video highlights the "fob sandwich" at Mooring Fish Cafe as a favorite, but also recommends exploring the Muddy Night Markets for a smorgasbord of seafood dishes. The video emphasizes the importance of trying "ikamata," a Cook Island seafood specialty made with raw tuna marinated in lime and coconut milk. Other recommended seafood options include Charlie's Fish Semis and the fresh grilled fish at Antipodes restaurant.
Swim with Turtles
Seeing turtles in the wild is a majestic experience. The video suggests snorkeling trips as a way to encounter two of the four sea turtle species native to the Cook Islands. However, it recommends a sea scooter safari with Ariki Adventures for a more thrilling experience, allowing viewers to speed through the water and dive below the surface to observe turtles in their natural habitat.
Accommodation & Chilling
Rarotonga offers a variety of accommodation options, including resorts and Airbnbs. The video emphasizes the importance of choosing a location that allows for relaxation and chilling out. It recommends Meri Beach for its beauty and Tiwakaroa for its luxury and exclusivity. Pacific Resort is described as a larger resort with activities for families, while Moana Sands Lagoon Resort is a newer, more secluded option. The video encourages viewers to explore the Cook Islands Tourism website for a wider selection of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences.
Markets
Rarotonga has two main markets: the Muddy Night Markets and the Punanganui Market. The Muddy Night Markets, held a few nights a week, offer a wide variety of food options at reasonable prices, including smoothies, seafood, drinks, curries, and ice cream. The Punanganui Market, held on Saturday mornings, is a larger market with fresh food stalls, entertainment, organic coffee, clothes, and souvenirs. Both markets provide a vibrant atmosphere and a chance to interact with locals and tourists alike.
Sunrise & Sunset Tours
Rarotonga offers stunning sunrises and sunsets. The video suggests heading to the beach for the best reflections. For a more adventurous experience, it recommends the sunrise hike with Rory Mountain Trek, which involves climbing ropes and using headlamps but rewards hikers with breathtaking views from the top. Other options include the sunset stand paddleboard tour with Kitesup, which allows viewers to glide around the lagoon, hunt for crabs, watch a fire show, and cruise back in the dark with LED lights. Antipodes restaurant is also recommended for its delicious food and views, providing a perfect spot to watch the sun go down.
Explore
Rarotonga is an island made for exploring. The video encourages viewers to discover new beaches, cafes, shops, restaurants, bars, and tour companies while driving around the island's single main road. It recommends getting around by foot, e-bike, or public bus, but suggests renting a scooter or car for more flexibility. The video also advises against parking under coconut trees.
Local Beer
The most common beer in Rarotonga is Cook Islands Lager, brewed by Rarotonga Brewery. The video highlights the importance of happy hour, which offers discounts on cocktails. It recommends Trader Jacks as a chill hangout spot and the Islander Hotel for its cool outdoor bar.
Snorkel
Rarotonga offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. The video suggests snorkeling in front of resorts, highlighting Fruits of Rarotonga as a marine park with abundant fish. Blackrock is also mentioned as a calm spot for snorkeling. However, the video strongly advises against snorkeling to see turtles due to strong currents in the channel and recommends joining a professional tour for safety and guidance.
Buggy Tour
Rarotonga has a tropical climate with occasional rain. The video suggests embracing the rain with a buggy tour from Rairo Buggy Tours, which promises a fun and muddy experience.
Progressive Food Tour
The video recommends the progressive dinner with Cook Islands Tours as a fascinating way to experience local villages and authentic Cook Islands cuisine and hospitality. This tour takes participants to three different local homes to sample home-cooked meals.
Aitutaki Day Trip
While not strictly an activity on Rarotonga, the video recommends a day trip to Aitutaki, the Cook Islands' second most popular island. This day trip, available as part of a package, offers a 50-minute flight with stunning views of the lagoon. Aitutaki provides opportunities for cruising, exploring, swimming, snorkeling, eating, drinking, and tanning.
Bonus Tips
The Cook Islands use New Zealand dollars and have unique Cook Islands coins. While paying with a card is common, it's not always reliable, so having cash is recommended. The video advises that ATM withdrawals come with a fee, even with an NZ bank card. Wi-Fi is not consistent, even in expensive resorts, so being somewhat off the grid is expected. The video recommends purchasing a Vodafone travel SIM card for local calls, texts, and data. It also suggests bringing your own mask and snorkel.
Final Thoughts
The video concludes by encouraging viewers to like the video if they found it helpful or enjoyable. It also invites viewers to leave comments with any suggestions for future videos. The video ends with a reminder that a six-part video series from the Cook Islands will be released soon.
