Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Rarotonga is the main island in the Cooks and home to the majority of the nation’s population. Rarotonga itself is a mountainous island with a lush green interior and palm fringed white sand coastline. It is all about living like a local here and as one of the friendliest places in the world, you will feel like part of the community within hours of arriving. You won’t find the chain hotels or glitzy 5* hotels of neighbouring Tahiti here, and with a government law that no building is allowed to be built taller than the tallest palm tree, it is hard not to instantly fall in love with this far flung pearl of Pacific paradise. One important thing to know about Rarotonga is that the majority of our favourite accommodation options are self-catered apartments or stand-alone villas. Breakfast amenities can often be organised in advance, but for the rest of the day people who love the Cooks like we do enjoy sampling the local eateries, markets and beach barbecues.
Suggested itineraries for Rarotonga
Cook Islands & Tahiti - An Idyllic Duo
11 nights from £8,450 per person
Combine two South Pacific paradise destinations in one memorable holiday! Luxury and heavenly relaxation await when you…
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Cook Islands and Los Angeles
12 nights from £5,295 per person
Enjoy the laid-back Cook Islands followed by city chic in Los Angeles.
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Barefoot Luxury in the Cook Islands
12 nights from £7,995 per person
Head to Rarotonga, then hop over to stunning Aitutaki on our journey to the Cook Islands.
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Aranui - Marquesas Islands
12 nights from £8,095 per person
A cruise unlike any other, the Aranui is a cargo vessel, which carries supplies – and a limited number of passengers –…
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Aranoa - Austral Islands & Beyond
12 nights from £8,995 per person
Launching in March 2027, the Aranoa Cruise explores the remote and rarely visited Austral Islands located almost 400…
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Island Hopping in Tahiti
10 nights from £7,995 per person
Tahiti is made for island hopping! We recommend visiting at least two islands, but three is even better! Let us show…
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California Cool Meets Tahitian Bliss
13 nights from £9,450 per person
One of the coolest and most romantic holidays or honeymoons possible has to be a fun road trip through the scenic…
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Bora Bora & Private Yacht Charter Escape
10 nights from £8,495 per person
Enjoy 10 nights exploring the beautiful Islands of Tahiti, including a luxurious private yacht charter with your very…
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Perfect Pair - Tahiti and New Zealand
12 nights from £8,955 per person
Combine the buzz of the ski season in New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown, with overwater elegance in French…
View ItineraryBest time to visit Rarotonga
May to October is a lovely time to visit Rarotonga, with lower humidity and generally less rain for lagoon adventures and exploring the island’s mountainous interior. We particularly love May, September and October for their balance of warmth and drier weather. July to October also brings the chance to spot humpback whales offshore. November to April is hotter and more humid, with tropical downpours and sunshine between showers keeping the island beautifully green.
Where to stay in Rarotonga
Rarotonga’s stays range from intimate beachfront retreats to spacious villas and welcoming resorts set among tropical gardens. Choose the shores of Muri Lagoon for little offshore islands and places to eat nearby, or the west coast for beautiful sunset views. With the island easy to explore, you can settle into your favourite spot without missing out on the rest.
Sea Change Villas
Tucked into a secluded cove of gleaming white sand, Sea Change is wonderfully romantic! With just twelve villas, the setting is decidedly peaceful and intimate.
MOTU Beachfront Art Villas
This delightful adults-only boutique retreat enjoys a serene location on Rarotonga’s south coast, overlooking the azure waters of Titikaveka Lagoon on a beautiful stretch of sand just along from Muri Beach. The warmth of the staff and the enviable location of this quiet, secluded hideaway make this the perfect Polynesian escape.
Nautilus Resort
This heavenly small luxury resort sits on a perfect stretch of sand on Rarotonga's stunning Muri Beach. Expansive views across the lagoon to the Pacific Ocean are interrupted only by the idyllic islet of Ta’akoka, with its swathe of perfect palms.
Little Polynesian Resort
A jewel in the Cook Islands, this enchanting adults-only boutique hotel, located on a beautiful stretch of white sand at Titikaveka on Rarotonga’s south coast, simply oozes style and elegance!
Ikurangi Eco Retreat
Tucked away amongst coconut palms, tropical gardens and pawpaw plantations on the east side of Rarotonga, just inland from the glorious lagoon, Ikurangi Eco Retreat is the first glamping retreat with tented accommodation in the Cook Islands.
Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa
Seclusion, privacy and luxury… if these attributes rate high on your wish list, Te Manava is for you. Managed by the award-winning Pacific Resort Hotel Group, this all-villa resort offers a fresh approach to resort living. Whether you prefer to be self-sufficient, have gourmet cuisine delivered to your door, or dine out… the choice is yours.
Rorotonga highlights
Visit Muri Beach
The most beautiful beach on the island, Muri Beach is a hive of activity. Watersports (incredible diving and snorkelling) galore, night markets and pop up BBQs on the beach each week, drop dead gorgeous sunsets, bars, restaurants and secret sun bathing spots. Despite this being the ‘busiest’ beach on the island… busy in the Cooks is a world away from the busy you and I know back home… you can always find your own shady spot to relax.
Explore, dream, discover and embrace ...
"Don't try to see beyond the horizon - often the richest experiences are those that you stumble upon because of where you are and who you're with. Explore, dream, discover and embrace each new experience as a life-changing memory."
Sue Bell - Co Founder
Travel Inspiration
Cook Islands named Best in Travel by Lonely Planet
A secret we've known for a long, long time will soon be known to the world: the Cook Islands is one of the best countries on the planet. That's because it has just scored top spot on the Top 10 …
Lizzie Heeley
03 Nov 20212 mins read
Cook Islands - Know Before You Go
When travelling to the ends of the earth, in search of that remote paradise as far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life as you can get, it's important to plan it right. Of course... you can call …
Suzy Higgs
15 Dec 20174 mins read
The sunsets were stunning, great cocktails and really decent food at Rarotonga
Firstly, we had a truly amazing time! Everything went extremely smoothly and we received first class service from the moment we landed in Rarotonga to leaving Atutaki. Thank you.
Lizzie Heeley
21 Jul 20102 mins read
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