1 week in the Cook Islands
Day 1: Awake to a new paradise
Welcome to Rarotonga, the main island and one of 15 islands in the Cook Islands. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, enjoy your tropical breakfast. Experience the local Cook Islands Christian Church service from 10am; after that, take it easy and explore the island at your own pace. In the evening we suggest you try out our local night market in Muri Beach.
Day 2: Dive right into it
Today you’ll head out for your first dive experience off the coast of Rarotonga. A ring of coral reef separates the island from the clear blue South Pacific, which stretches beyond it for thousands of miles. You will visit two of 30 dive sites off the coast of Rarotonga, including Edna’s Anchor, Smurf City, Coral Gardens, and Mataora Wreck. The weather will determine which sites you will explore. Your dive operator can offer single or double tank dives. In the evening, dine in or explore the many restaurants on Rarotonga.
Day 3: Trekking + Night dive
This morning you will enjoy a hike up Raemaru Mountain on the west side of Rarotonga. This 1.5-hour trek through the interior of the island will introduce you to the medicinal plants, herbs, and fauna of the Cook Islands and take you to a stunning vista with a 180-degree view of Rarotonga. In the evening you’ll be diving on the north side of the island at popular sites like Smurf City, Edna’s Anchor, and Tangaroa’s Rocks. There are plenty of interesting nooks and crannies where crustaceans and other nocturnal creatures hide.
Day 4: Dive + Island night experience
Head out on the water again this morning for a two tank dive at some more hot spots. Tonight, you’ll visit Highland Paradise to learn about our heritage and about pre-Christian Polynesia. You’ll be transported from your accommodation in the late afternoon to a site in the mountains, where an evening of authentic cultural entertainment and feasting awaits.
Day 5: Dive + Dine with the locals
It’s your last chance to dive before you depart tomorrow night. Your dive operator will show you a few more sites to tick off your list. In the evening, you’ll leave your resort and venture out to the villages to experience true Cook Islands cuisine and hospitality. The progressive dinner tour is your ticket to a real encounter with island life and culture; you’ll enjoy a three-course meal, with each course in a different local home.
Day 6: Free day to explore
It’s your last day to explore the wonders of our little paradise. Rent a motorised scooter or car and take a drive around Rarotonga, which measures 20 miles (32 kms) in circumference. As you drive around, visit the shops and roadside stalls selling everything from handicraft to fresh fruit. Stop at iconic sites including Black Rock, Nikao Beach, Maitai Shipwreck, Matavera Beach, Avana Lookout, Muri Beach, and Tikioki Beach. In the evening head to Vaiana’s Bistro and Bar, where you can enjoy a beer and some fish and chips as you watch the sunset over the South Pacific.
