Practical
Snorkelling gear, reef shoes and what to bring
📍 Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Where
Island-wide
Opening hours
n/a
Typical cost
Varies — imported goods cost more here
Most things are available on Rarotonga, but almost everything is imported and priced accordingly. A few items are worth bringing.
Bring
- Reef shoes. The lagoon floor is coral rubble in places and the difference is between comfortable and cut feet.
- Reef-safe sunscreen. Available locally but expensive, and the conventional kind does real damage to coral.
- A rash vest. Better sun protection than repeated sunscreen, and kinder to the lagoon.
- Insect repellent. Mosquitoes are present, particularly inland and after rain.
- Your own mask and snorkel if you are particular. Hire gear is fine but a mask that fits your face is worth carrying.
Buy there
Pareu, hats, anything woven — cheaper and better at the market, and the money stays on the island.
💡 Local tip
Reef shoes and reef-safe sunscreen. Those are the two things people most often wish they had brought, and both cost noticeably more bought locally.
Listed as a local guide entry — not bookable through CI Booking. Details can change; it is worth confirming before you go.
Book something on Rarotonga
Booked direct with local operators — no booking fees.
For local operators
Run a business on Rarotonga?
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