Travel information
Scuba Diving
The diving in and around the reef is breathtaking. With warm tropical waters of around 27 degrees C, only a short 2mm wetsuit is required. If you are a certified diver, you can book a dive with one of many dive operators on the main island. A two tank boat dive will cost you about NZ$120 with all equipment provided. There are wrecks to explore, small cave systems and plenty of fish. In August you may be lucky enough to experience diving with whales that are passing by the island.
Snorkeling
Great snorkeling can be found at numerous beaches around the island. Not all beaches are suitable - some rocky beaches are no so pleasant but head for the coral lagoons. Muri beach offers beautiful clear, shallow water - it remains shallow very far out so is ideal for beginners. You can also book on a snorkeling cruise around this lagoon in a glass-bottomed boat, stopping off to snorkel by a small island, and a barbeque lunch and cultural show on the other side of the lagoon.
Tramping
There are several inland walking tracks which can be followed for a pleasant few hours in the bush. The Needle & Cross-Island Walk crosses the island from Uruau Drive to Wigmore's Waterfall, and the Raemaru track goes up to Raemaru Peak (350m).
Photos from Avarua, Cook Islands
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By plane
Rarotonga International Airport (IATA: RAR) is the main gateway to the Cook Islands. There are daily services to Auckland, New Zealand and weekly services to Fiji. The only international airlines at present are Air New Zealand and twice-weekly Pacific Blue. Air New Zealand has code share arrangements with all other Star Alliance members including United Airlines and Rarotonga is a popular stopover on Round The World flights.
Photos from Avarua, Cook Islands
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Rarotonga's main island is encircled by a 32 km bitumen road that is in good condition. The inner road is a mixture of bitumen and gravel, and care must be taken with the local chickens and dogs that wander about.
By car
The best way of getting around is to rent an open top car, which is reasonably affordable. There are a couple of car rental places close to the airport.
By motor scooter
The best and most affordable mode of transport is hiring a motor scooter from the various rental companies scattered around, or direct from the larger hotels. To ride a scooter, you need a Cook Islands drivers license, which can be purchased from the Police station in Avarua. Be prepared to do a short test, where an officer will follow you around a short circuit to make sure you know what you are doing.
By bus
The best travel tip is to take "Cooks Island Bus" which circles the island clockwise and anticlockwise throughout the day and into the late evening. If you're going to use it regularly, you can buy a day pass or a book of 10 tickets. But be warned...there's no evening service on Sundays. The bus will pick up and drop off almost anywhere on the round island route. Oh, and one final tip: make sure you read the small print on your bus ticket: it says "please smile"!
Photos from Avarua, Cook Islands
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As much as you can
Photos from Avarua, Cook Islands
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