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Rarotonga is the youngest
of the Cook Islands southern group. The centre of
Rarotonga was once a massive volcano but is now covered
in a thick tropical jungle and ringed by tropical reef
and lagoon.
What's there to do in Rarotonga?
Rarotonga is the perfect place to unwind and do nothing
- but for the more adventurous, there are plenty
of activities on hand!
Island Activities
What ever you do in Rarotonga, make sure you catch an "Island
Night" where you can sample Cook Island
dancing, singing and Umu kai (food cooked using the
traditional underground oven).
Keen walkers can do one of the many ECO tours that
explore historic sites and show tradition weaving and
fire starting methods.
There are 4WD tours that take you into some of the more
inaccessible parts of Rarotonga finishing with a BBQ on
the beach!
The cross island walk is very popular but it is advised
to hire a local guide to point out the wildlife, places
of interest and make sure you don't get lost!
Find out what is happening by checking out the
2008 events calendar
during your visit. Rarotonga has many festivals and
events which usually occur around the same time every
year.
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On
the water
You can go sightseeing by glass bottom boat on Muri
Lagoon, or a trip around Rarotonga with amazing views
back to the island. Whales often travel close to the
reef (in season) and can be seen leaping from the water in
spectacular fashion.
Wind surfing and sailing on Muri Lagoon is a must and
these can be hired at a number of places. Kite surfing
as an ever increasingly popular sport on the lagoon and
almost as exciting to watch as it is to do. The
Rarotonga Sailing Club at Muri Lagoon is very friendly
and welcomes all visitors.
Fishing is also a very
popular and affordable activity in Rarotonga with the
action starting as soon as you leave the harbour.
Charter operators provide all the gear and expertise to
tackle big game fish like Tuna, Marlin and Mahi-Mahi.
Under the water
Snorkelling and
diving adds yet another dimension to the beauty of
Rarotonga. The reef
fronts the shore to the north of the island, making the
lagoon there less suitable for swimming but to the south
east, particularly around Muri, the lagoon is at its
widest and deepest (2-3m).
Muri Lagoon offers
many tropical fish and coral to view without strong
currents and waves. Ask the locals where the best places
are. The are a number of Dive companies in Rarotonga and
can give you all the necessary training to have a safe
and enjoyable dive. |
The Geography of Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Island stands 14750 feet (4500
meters) above
the ocean floor. The island is 20 miles (32 km) in
circumference and has an area of 26 square miles (67
kmē). At a depth of 13000 feet (4000 meters), the
volcano is nearly 31 miles (50 km) in diameter. The
highest peak on the island above sea level is Te Rua
Manga, 'The Needle' and is 2140 feet (658 meters).
View an interactive map of Rarotonga
The island is surrounded by a lagoon, which extends
several hundred yards (meters) to the reef, which then
slopes steeply to deep water.
The
interior of the island is dominated by eroded volcanic
peaks cloaked in dense vegetation. Sealed and unsealed
roads allow access to valleys but the interior of the
island remains largely unpopulated due to forbidding
terrain and lack of infrastructure.
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