THE PACIFIC · TOURS IN COOK ISLANDS
Rarotonga is a lap of an island with a lagoon on one side of it. The 15 below cover the Muri lagoon cruises, the turtle snorkels and the cross-island routes, priced per head and clear about the swell.
Join Captain Tama’s crew at 11am on Muri Beach for a four-hour glass-bottom boat cruise. Snorkel in a marine reserve with guides, look for Charlie the moray eel, then eat fresh fish BBQ on Motu Koromiri with music, pareu tying, and coconut demonstrations.
“Funny team and excellent experience. The team made sure that you are safe and had loads of fun. The food was very good.”
Join Snorkel Cook Islands at Avaavaroa Passage for a two-hour guided snorkel with turtles, rays, and tropical fish. Big T, Captain T, Josh, and the water safety team are known for hands-on support. Gear, local fruit, showers, storage, parking, and photos are included, but transport is not.
“Incredible experience! We saw so many turtles and eagle rays, they swam right along side us, it was phenomenal! The guides were so welcoming, friendly and funny, they made the experience so enjoyable and safe. Only thing missing was bathrooms!”
Join Ariki Adventures in Rarotonga for a two-hour sea scooter snorkel focused on turtles and reef life. You’ll receive safety instruction, use provided masks, snorkels, fins, and scooter, then head into the turtles’ natural habitat with guides watching the group. Five percent of each fee supports the Cook Islands Sea Turtle Conservation Society.
“Excellent operators very respectful of the environment and the wildlife not like some other operators we seen. Our group was ratio 8/3 and continually check to see if you were okay. The current was fairly strong and made it so much more enjoyable with the sea scooter highly recommend.”
At Moana Sea Scooters, you spend about 90 minutes with a small group of 4 to 6, learning to use an eco-friendly sea scooter before swimming beside turtles, spotted eagle rays, and schools of fish. Dan and his team guide you through the Avaavaroa passage, provide gear, snacks, a coconut drink, and send high-resolution photos after the tour.
“Well worth every cent. The crew were very friendly and professional. The photos we received from our experience were amazing. A perfect way to start a day”
Meet Snorkel Cook Islands at Avaavaroa Passage for about two hours of guided, beach-entry snorkeling. You’ll receive gear, a safety briefing, and close supervision from trained water-safety staff before swimming with turtles, rays, and tropical fish. Guides such as Josh, Tee, Henry, and Charlotte are praised for calm instruction and friendly help. Fruit and tour photos are included, though photo delivery can vary.
“An amazing experience. The team there are so great I can’t praise them enough. My wife is not a strong swimmer but they supported her throughout the trip to make her feel safe. Saw plenty of turtles and rays and got some great photos. Read more”
Join guides such as Chocolate and Dominic for a four to six-hour night around Rarotonga’s bars. You’ll receive a welcome beer or cocktail, flower ID tag, LED souvenir, snacks, music-filled bus transfers, and a ride home. The tour runs Wednesdays and Fridays, with visits to three or four venues.
“An awesome night and a great crew! Travelled around the local bars with a great tour guide and bus driver. Entertaining, kind and ensured we all got home safe and sound. So much fun”
Explore Rarotonga by bicycle with guides such as Corrina, Karina, Kathrin, Dave, and Uncle Jimmy. Ride quiet back roads through Arorangi, hear local stories, taste island fruit, try husking a coconut, then enjoy lunch and a swim at Rutaki Beach. Bikes, helmets, hotel transfers, and lunch are included.
“Fabulous tour with Corrina. Nice to see some of the backroads and learn about the plants, culture and history of Rarotonga Lunch was delicious. Thank you so much for a lovely day.”
Travel around Rarotonga in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide such as Nat or Chicko. Visit Black Rock and Avana Point, see plantations, churches, marae, lagoons, and village life, and learn about coconut culture, island history, and the seven-canoe voyage to New Zealand. Hotel pickup and light refreshments are included.
“Explore inland local life, vegetation, diet, history. Great guide. Authentic experience. Sit on a comfortable bus. Prayed before meals. So nice, so Cokk islands.”
Spend about five hours exploring Rarotonga by well-kept bicycle with local guide Corrina or a fellow guide. Ride the Ancient Coral Road, visit Arorangi and Titikaveka, sample island fruit, stop at a secluded beach, and finish with lunch by the sea. Hotel pickup, bikes, helmets, and lunch are included.
“Knowledgeable guide, excellent day out and a great lunch. Well worth the time and saw different parts of the island.”
Meet Cook Islands Tours after customs at Rarotonga Airport. Staff in orange shirts provide a fresh flower Ei, cold water, and chilled towel before taking you by air-conditioned shared vehicle to your accommodation. Drivers such as Mai and Bates also offer practical island tips. Allow 5 to 55 minutes, depending on your lodging.
“Was the best experience and driver was very nice to talk to and gave me lots of tips and tricks .....”
Meet Cook Islands Turtle Tours in Takitumu District for a private turtle and ray outing in Rarotonga. Your guide supplies snorkel gear and an optional flower crown, while a Canon ambassador photographer takes about 30 underwater and beach photos of your group. Turtle sightings are guaranteed, but tide-based timing can change.
“I recommend booking direct with the operators. Booked through viator and the times offered were not correct due to this being dependent on the tides. Now trying to contact someone for a refund.”
Join Ariki Adventures in Avarua for a two-hour open-ocean safari using an eco-friendly sea scooter. You’ll visit a shipwreck resting 5 meters below the surface, then explore coral gardens beyond the reef, with chances to see turtles, reef sharks, puffer fish, and other marine life. Swimming and snorkeling skills are essential.
“The excursion was a wonderful experience. The crew were caring and friendly, and made sure that you were okay for the whole trip. The scooters were magical. The coral reefs were actually full of fish, and the wreck was magical to see especially after 100 years. Thank you.”
Meet Juanita and Tim at Tiare’s Cafe in Muri for a two-hour workshop on making an ei katu, the Cook Islands flower crown. You’ll work in a garden setting, enjoy a glass of bubbly or a non-alcoholic drink, and leave with your own handmade crown. The private class begins at 4:00 pm and returns to the same meeting point.
“Loved this class! The tour company offers several other experiences including sip and paint. Highly recommend Juanita and her husband Tim who led the tour and wish you guys success as you grow your business!”
Join a 90-minute guided snorkel at Rarotonga’s Passage, a natural channel known for clear water, coral gardens, turtles, eagle rays, and reef fish. Premium gear, small groups, and close in-water help suit both snorkellers and confident free divers. The tour returns to its meeting point.
“All turtle expeditions on the island are in the same area. This group limits the group to 10 people and is the best. The current is very strong and with a larger group I don't see how they ensure everyone sees the turtles and other sea life or how the get everyone back to shore,”
Swim in one of Rarotonga’s best-known turtle spots with a maximum of eight people, trained lifeguards, premium snorkel gear, flotation help, and a photographer in the water. Papa Turtle includes beach portraits, underwater images, wetsuit and rash-shirt hire, secure storage, and an online gallery sent within four days.
“Do not book with Papa Turtle - Hopess & unreliable. Many other great little companies. They also have a poor reputation in Raro”
Pick a lagoon, an island or a village afternoon.
