Share this
There are tons of things to do in Rarotonga. Rarotonga, or Raro for short, is the main island of the Cook Island and is a great place for a variety of experiences. There is probably something for everyone! From snorkeling to scuba diving to jet blasts to hiking, or even just hanging out by the pool or the ocean.
Most tours and dinners include hotel pickup/drop off, which is really convenient. If they don’t pick up on time, the island is a small circle. Trust that they’ll be along shortly, because they always are. (same with the bus!) Everything is on island time. So relax, sit back, and enjoy the awesome things to do and eat in Raro.
But first, if you haven’t read my post on Cook Islands food, I suggest you start there!
Table of Contents
1. Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes
For my first full day in Rarotonga, I scheduled a BBQ Lunch and Lagoon Cruise with Captain Tama. It was NZ$79 | $52 USD, which included snorkeling, lunch, a coconut demonstration and sarong show. The ship was crewed and the tour hosted by a few, young Cook Islander men. Good humored and full of fun, they took us out from Muri Beach to a beautiful area of blue seas for some snorkeling. I went in for a bit, but it was a bit cloudy under the water from the current, and man… that current was insane!
After snorkeling, we headed back towards the Muri area, and docked off of an uninhabited island across from Muri. Captain Tama (and maybe another tour company) set up a small dining area with facilities on this island for use during the day. The crew were busily getting lunch prepared, and were grilling fresh fish and bananas.
From the paw paw (papaya) up top and clockwise, grilled banana and grilled onions, fresh grilled mahi mahi, bread, cole slaw, potato salad, and a sliver of a coconut slice.
I won’t give much else away, but here are a few photos from their coconut demonstration. No photos of the sarong show. Why? I was selected as the model for an introduction to how to tie sarongs or pareos. shrug..
Really fun time with the crew that took us out that day. It’s a warm welcome to the Cook Islands and an introduction to their fun loving personalities.
2. Progressive Dinner
After a few hours of rest and relaxation on my patio lounge chair, in the evening, I set out for what’s known as the Progressive Dinnerย (NZ$99 | $66 USD).ย This is a dinner tour, where each of the three courses are eaten at a different family’s house.ย Each course came with lots of stories and an introduction to their family and land.
It was a really busy night for the Progressive Dinner… there were probably close to 40 people there. I guess that’s a bit unusual, and it’s normally a much smaller group, which is how I imagined it.
At dinner, I met a nice Australian couple on their honeymoon, and an interesting retired New Zealander, Polly. Polly has been coming to Raro since the mid-1990s, and lives for a few weeks or months there every year. She’s been coming to the Progressive Dinners for at least the last 5+ years when she’s in Rarotonga, and she keeps coming for the great food and lovely people that host and take part in it. I wish I talked to her more, because I think she must have great stories to tell.
Without further ado… the progressive dinner.
2.1 First Course
2.2 Second Course
What do you recognize on my plate from my earlier post, introducing food in the Cook Islands?
iSpy list:
- paw paw
- poke
- umu
- rukau
One of the best things to do in Rarotonga, in my book? Eat with friendly locals and hear their stories about life in the Cook Islands.
2.3 Third Course
Parting thoughts on the best things to do in Rarotonga
For my first full day on Rarotonga, not bad, right? Captain Tama and the Progressive Dinner were both GREAT introductions to the warm and fun-loving spirit of the Cook Islanders. Definitely, if you’re looking for two of the best things to do in Rarotonga, consider Captain Tama’s Cruise and the Progressive Dinner. You won’t regret it!
– Useful Information –
- Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizesย – NZ$79 | $52 USD, daily, 11 – 3 pm.ย Pick up, drop off, and lunch included
- Progressive Dinnerย – NZ$99 | $66 USD, Mondays and Thursdays, 5 – 9:30 pm.ย Pick up and drop off included
Love it? Pin it!
When you travel off the beaten path, make sure you’re covered with Travel Insurance. You never know when you’ll need it! Get a quote below.
Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.ย She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!ย She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.
Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!
Your sarong tying skills are known far and wide. Iโm still a bit lost on what a coconut exhibition is. What do they do?
2 tours in one day is good going even by your standards Lannie.
They show you how to peel a coconut (with just that spear), to crack it open (and drink the coconut water), and to grate the coconut meat.
2 tours in one day is about all i can handle haha
I love progressive dinners…and would love them even more here! Iโve never thought about visiting the Cook Islands, and Rarotonga looks and sounds perfect…and love the idea of living on island time.
this is the first progressive dinner i’ve ever done! and it was wonderful. ๐ The Cook Islands is just a quick 8-10 hours from LAX! Direct!
Cook islands? Wow! Always wanted to visit here! The snorkeling settings sure looks amazing! Great post Lannie!
Thank you ๐ Direct from LAX on Air NZ! So it’s closer than you think!
A Progressive Dinner in the home of locals. I’ve never heard of such a thing and I think it’s brilliant! True experiential travel..
absolutely love it. Honestly, I think you and the missus would love the Cook Islands!
Very nice program for the cruise, and the progressive dinner with locals is perfect way to end the day!
it definitely was the perfect day in paradise!