Things To Do in the Cook Islands
Where to eat, swim, walk and unwind — a local guide to the islands. 79 places listed
34 places on Rarotonga
Arai-Te-Tonga: Rarotonga's most important marae
An ancient ceremonial site just off the inland road, marked by standing stones. Quiet, unstaffed and easy to miss — and one of the most significant places on the island.
Aro'a Beach and the west coast sunset
A west-coast beach with good snorkelling directly offshore and an uninterrupted view of the sunset. Quieter than Muri and better for late afternoon.
Black pearls: what you are actually buying
Cook Islands black pearls are a genuine local industry from the northern atolls. Quality and price vary enormously, and it pays to know what you are looking at.
Black Rock (Tuoro): sunset, swimming and a place of departure
A volcanic outcrop on the north-west coast with sheltered swimming, one of the island's best sunsets, and real significance in Cook Islands belief.
Cook Islands Christian Church, Avarua
A coral-limestone church from the missionary era in the centre of Avarua, and the place to hear Cook Islands hymn singing on a Sunday morning.
Cook Islands National Museum and Library, Avarua
A small national museum covering navigation, traditional tools, missionary contact and island history. An hour well spent, and a good rainy-day option.
Cycling around Rarotonga
A flat 32km ring road, low traffic by most standards, and a slower pace that suits the island. The most underrated way to see Rarotonga.
Diving in Rarotonga
Wall dives, canyons and wrecks just outside the reef, with visibility that is often exceptional. Suitable for beginners through to experienced divers.
Fishing off Rarotonga
The drop-off is close to shore, so game fishing starts within minutes of leaving the harbour. Mahi mahi, tuna, wahoo and marlin depending on the season.
Getting around Rarotonga: the bus, the ring road, and hiring a scooter
One sealed road runs right around the island — about 32km, an hour at island pace. Here is how the bus works, when you need your own transport, and what a Cook Islands licence involves.
Highland Paradise: the old village above Arorangi
A cultural centre on the site of a hilltop village abandoned in the missionary era, with views across the west and south coasts.
Island hopping the southern group
Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke and Mitiaro are all reachable by air, but not all on the same days. How to plan a multi-island trip that works.
Island Night: what a cultural show actually is
An umu feast followed by drumming, dancing and song. Several venues run them on set nights. What to expect, and why the drumming is the part people remember.
Kitesurfing on Muri Lagoon
Consistent trade winds and shallow flat water make Muri a well-regarded spot. Lessons are available, and the shallow lagoon is a forgiving place to learn.
Language and greetings: a little goes a long way
English is spoken everywhere, but Cook Islands Māori is the first language of the islands and a handful of words changes how you are received.
Money, phones and wifi in the Cook Islands
New Zealand dollars, patchy card acceptance outside the main centres, and internet that is better than it used to be but not what you are used to.
Muri Beach: the lagoon everyone means when they say Rarotonga
Shallow, warm and protected, with four small motu offshore. The best all-round swimming and paddling spot on the island, and the busiest — which is worth knowing before you go.
Muri Night Market: dinner from a row of food stalls
An evening food market at Muri Beach several nights a week. Local barbecue, seafood, curries and ika mata from a cluster of stalls — the easiest good-value dinner on the island.
Pa's mountain and nature walks
Guided walks focused on plants, traditional medicine and the natural history of the island, led by one of Rarotonga's best-known characters.
Paddleboarding and kayaking on Muri Lagoon
Flat, shallow, sheltered water and four motu to aim for — the best paddling on the island, and easy enough for beginners.
Punanga Nui Market, Avarua: Saturday morning on Rarotonga
The island's main market, in Avarua. Produce, cooked food, crafts and music from early on Saturday. It winds down by early afternoon, so this is a morning outing.
Punanga Nui on a Saturday night
The Saturday morning market is well known. Some Saturday evenings the same site runs again with food and music — a different, quieter thing.
Rarotonga on a rainy day
Tropical rain here is heavy and usually short. What to do while it passes, and which plans genuinely need to change.
Snorkelling gear, reef shoes and what to bring
What is worth packing, what to buy on the island, and the two items people most regret leaving at home.