rarotonga.co.nz
Live nowPlan your trip
Independent Rarotonga travel guide

Plan your
Rarotonga holiday.

Choose where to stay, what to book and how to get around with practical island guides and direct links to local operators.

Plan my holidayFirst-time guide
Palm Grove's Beach at Vaimaanga, Rarotonga

Palm Grove's Beach, Rarotonga. Photo credit.

Rarotonga island time —
Live NowSunday guideKia Orana phrases
Open stay finder
Build less. Choose better.

Four decisions can shape the whole trip.

Find your area, stay, one or two anchor activities, then decide whether Aitutaki is a day trip or an overnight chapter.

Island life

More than a beach postcard.

See the colour, movement and culture that make a Cook Islands holiday feel alive.

Handwoven Cook Islands hats at Punanga Nui Market
Culture

Colour from the heart

A vibrant visual tribute to tivaivai-inspired island textile patterns.

Road through Rarotonga
Get around

Ride the coast

Rarotonga is made for relaxed cycling, with the lagoon never far away.

Forest track through Rarotonga's lush interior
Be active

Play outside

Beach sport, sunshine and island energy belong in the itinerary too.

Raui marine protected area sign in Rarotonga
Marine life

Look, don’t touch

Enjoy turtles and reef fish responsibly, with space for wildlife to move freely.

October 2026 · verified 22 October

Culture, sunset music and sport

Plan around Gospel Day on 26 October and Sunset Sessions on 31 October, then look ahead to Raro Rugby Sevens and Vaka Eiva in November. Reconfirm event details close to the date.

Read the October guideSee what’s on
Muri Lagoon and motu, Rarotonga
Start exploring

What do you need?

Built for planning at home and quick decisions on your phone once you're on the island.

Where to stay

Resorts, villas, beachfront stays and area comparisons.

 Paddleboarder crossing Muri Lagoon, Rarotonga

Things to do

Lagoon cruises, culture, snorkelling, diving and island adventures.

 Punanga Nui Market, Rarotonga

Eat & drink

Restaurants, cafés, night markets and sunset drinks.

 Inside a public bus in Rarotonga

Live now

Bus, airport, weather, today's events and nearby places.
Live island utility

Useful while you're here.

Open Live Now
Live bus

Clockwise and anti-clockwise tracking pathway.

✈ Airport

Flight-status guidance and practical arrival information from the Airport Authority.

☀ Weather

Current island conditions and short forecast.

✦ What's on

Markets, music, culture and island nights.

Choose your base

Explore by area.

Muri for convenience, Titikaveka for a quieter lagoon base, Aroa and Arorangi for the west, and Avarua for markets and services.

Muri Beach and lagoon, Rarotonga

Muri

Lagoon life, food, culture and activity operators.

 Titikaveka Beach, Rarotonga

Titikaveka

Quiet beaches, snorkelling and boutique stays.

Arorangi

Sunset coast, resorts, dining and relaxed west-side stays.

 Punanga Nui Market, Avarua, Rarotonga

Avarua

Market, shopping, banks, culture and essentials.

Aroa

Marine-sanctuary snorkelling, family facilities and sunsets.

Free holiday planner

Plan it. Save it. Enjoy it.

Our free Rarotonga Holiday Planner includes area guidance, a relaxed seven-day itinerary, packing, bookings and links to official Cook Islands resources.

Get the free planner
For local businesses

Get listed free.

Claim your Rarotonga.co.nz listing, check your details and join the Founding Partner programme free through 30 June 2027.

Claim your listing