20 AWESOME things to do in Rarotonga with kids

Wohoo! It’s officially time… We’ve settled in to life on the beautiful island of Rarotonga, Cook Islands and we are ready to share some of the most awesome things to do in Rarotonga with kids! 

Family and togetherness is an important part of Cook Islands culture.  You will be welcomed warmly to this beautiful paradise and know it is a fantastic choice for a destination to visit with kids.  

Our hope with creating this list is not to itemize and compare day trips and organised tours, but to let you know about the free and low-cost activities to do with your kids that truly showcase the best of Rarotonga.

Sort your accommodation before you arrive so that you are ready to step off that plane; embrace the feeling of that tropical breeze and get ready for an awesome family adventure! 

1. Explore the market

The local markets are one of the best ways to connect with the friendly locals and get a feel for Rarotonga.  The vibrant Saturday morning Punanga Nui Markets in Avarua is a must on any trip. 

For kids, there are plenty of treats and a whole lot of island vibe to soak in. And as a family, the markets are an awesome experience of local vibe (complete with the upbeat sounds of island reggae and all the colours of the Pacific).

AND there are plenty of coconuts and fresh island fruit!

2. Go snorkeling 

This is one of the best things to do in Rarotonga with kids! And the best thing about snorkeling in Rarotonga – even/especially if it’s your first time – is that the entire island is surrounded by a reef.  This means, snorkeling with kids is a great option as it’s inside the shallow and safety of the lagoon. 

The best beaches for snorkeling in Rarotonga are: 

• Tikioki Fruits of Rarotonga 
• Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve 
• Black Rock 
• Muri Lagoon 

3. Drink a coconut

Have you tried a fresh young coconut before? It surely has to be one of the best tastes in the world on a hot, tropical day.  And a great healthy and refreshing travel treat to get the kids onto!

You can find drinking coconuts at the markets in town or at the small roadside stalls lining the round-island road.  In Rarotonga a drinking coconut costs between $3 – 5 NZD depending on the size. Just look out for the signs saying ‘nu’ and don’t forget a reusable straw.

4. Find a sea slug

These cool cucumbers actually play an important role in the ecosystem of the lagoon life as decomposers, contributing a great service to life on the reefs! 

5. Learn about the story of Blackrock

The location of what is known as Blackrock in Rarotonga is stunning!  It is a beautiful place to visit, to swim or just take it all in – especially at sunset. 

But it also has a special spiritual meaning to the people of the Cook Islands… 

Known as Tuoro in Maori; Blackrock is believed to be the place where spirits of the dead leave Rarotonga, before they ascend to a pua tree and leap from it to begin the journey back to their ancient homeland Avaiki, to the West. 

6. Go hermit crab hunting

There are literally hundreds of hermit crabs on Rarotonga.  Small crabs are known as kakara and the larger ones as unga.  Pretty much on any evening if you head to the beach you will see some smaller hermit crabs (conical shaped and cylindrical).  But for the larger bright orange hermit crabs you will likely spot them on the northern side of the island. 

Be sure to treat them kindly and return them to their home after you’ve said hello… 

7. Explore the harbour at Avatiu

At any time of day, a walk around the harbour area in Avarua – called Avatiu – is a fun outing and one of our favourite things to do in Rarotonga with kids.  Depending on what time of day you visit; you might find fishermen returning from a morning outside the reef with all kinds of different fish in their haul.  

You might be in time to watch boats being loaded with cargo and people ready for a few days at sea to get to the Pa Enua outer islands.  Or you might be in time for the beautiful golden hour before sunset along the north and western tip of the island.  In any case, its worth a visit while you are here. 

8. Try paddle boarding at Muri 

Muri Beach is in a beautiful lagoon on the eastern side of the island, and is easily the most popular beach. It’s easy to spend a day there. Take a picnic, and hire paddle boards to enjoy the calm and shallow waters there.

9. Go for a walk inland

Rarotonga has actually got a number of established hiking tracks around the island.  However, if you are looking for the best tracks to with kids I would recommend a short walk behind the hospital. 

• Hospital Hill: A short walk from behind the Rarotonga Hospital up to a viewpoint looking down over Nikao and the airport area. 

And if you are up for the adventure and are accustomed to hiking; the Cross Island Walk is Rarotonga’s most well-known hike.  At the peak of the ridges is Te Rua Manga; a huge rock that sticks right up in the air – also known as ‘The Needle’. 

10. Get dressed in some pareu and Kia Orana wear

This is about as compulsory as drinking your first coconut… Kia Orana wear and pareu display all the beautiful colours and culture of the Pacific in a vibrant and beautiful material.  

For kids, this is a fun and tangible way to get a feel for island culture.  (And tell me any parent who could resist a brightly coloured dress or island shirt for their little one?!).  It might not be part of home life – and especially if you are escaping the New Zealand winter on your visit – but it is most definitely an awesome, uplifting aspect to island culture. 

For some great kids wear at an affordable holiday price, check out Mareko Island Creations and Tuki’s Pareu. 

11. Swim at the waterfall

On the eastern edge of the abandoned Sheraton resort site, there is a road that leads inland to Wigmore’s Waterfall.  The waterfall has a beautiful cascade of water dropping into a fresh, cool swimming pool. (This is best enjoyed as the finishing point of the Cross Island Hike!).  But it is another of the interesting sights and things to do in Rarotonga with kids. 

Note that in the dry season the waterfall has much less of a cascade.  And also note, that it is a good idea to wear insect repellant when heading up towards the waterfall as the inland area of jungle is the home of mosquitos. 

12. Have an ice cream at Kavera

Now, this is both a treat AND a challenge. Not only will you be served up a generous (read: giant) serving of beautifully cool NZ Tip Top ice cream… But you then have the challenge of eating it in the heat of the tropics to beat all the drips! 

Check out Kavera ice cream shop (next to the CITC Kavera store) for the best ice creams in the area. A kiddy scoop is priced at $1; a single $2; and a double scoop $3.  The best! 

13. Go for a reef walk with Kura 

A reef walk in Rarotonga is incredible! You get the chance to be up close and personal with the marine life within the reef, without having to snorkel or dive.  Ariimoana has created a brilliant eco-friendly low tide reef walk to discover the island culture and marine life from that different point of view.  And Rarotonga has a lot to offer! 

Kura is your host for the walk, and along with her partner Jacapo, they live and breathe life in the waters of Rarotonga. Having grown up on the reef, Kura gives a real insight into how important the ocean is to the people of Rarotonga. And Kura’s passion for her reef and all the incredible life in it is contagious…

14. Try a new fruit

This a unique experience in Rarotonga and one of those opportunities that always tastes better in the island context! 

Have you tried pawpaw? Island guava? Or what about soursop? 

Some different fruits to try in Rarotonga include: 

• Green mangoes
• Starfruit
• Soursop
• Plantain bananas 
• Tuava (island guava)
• Dragonfruit
• Papaya/Pawpaw 
• Uto (seeded coconut)
• Breadfruit

Get ready with a new island-fruit-bucketlist of new treats to try while you are here. The main market is a good start otherwise stop anywhere at the roadside stalls for a friendly local experience.

15. Take a drive around the island (the whole island) 

This is one of our favoruite weekend past times.  The way the island of Rarotonga is laid out, there is one main road that loops right around the entire island; not too far from the shoreline.  

Slightly inland from that however, there is an inland loop road called ‘the back road’(!).  And this back road loops almost the entire way around the island as well. 

If you have rented a car and have some free time, pack the kids in the car, stop at a roadside market and grab a coconut and hit the road.  A loop around the island is always great, but on the backroads there is always something new to see.  

16. Meet a moko

Skinks, geckos, lizards… These little guys are all over the island.  If it’s your first time in the tropics you might be wondering what that clicking noise is inside your accommodation or house.  That’s a moko!  

Look out for them inside your place to stay, or anywhere when you are out and about with a little bit of nature and bush around you.  (And don’t worry – these little guys are harmless to you and me, and definitely provide a source of fascination for the kids!). 

17. Have a burger at The Palace

I promised value for money in this post, didn’t I?  Well, if you are in Avarua on Happy Hour at The Palace (and if you aren’t, you should make sure that you are) you are in serious luck.  A burger at The Palace costs $3.50 on a Wednesday or Friday evening.  

This is one tip that is well worth noting (now) for a great evening in town.  Grab a burger and go for a wander around the beautiful port area of Avarua.  It’s great for the kids – but trust me, eating a burger in the golden hour in tropical paradise is hard to beat. 

18. Find the local playgrounds

Most outdoor play things to do in Rarotonga with kids is about climbing trees and playing at the beach.  But there are also a couple of playgrounds that will look a little more familiar… 

The main playground in Rarotonga is at Punanga Nui Market (there is even a filtered water fountain here).  And there is also a second playground on the south side of the islands at YWAM in Vaimaanga. 

19. Visit Papa Mike’s gallery

Definitely go and have a coffee and a toasted sandwich with Papa Mike.  Mike Tavioni is a world renowned artist and cultural icon from the Cook Islands.  He is regarded in the highest esteem by the Pacific Island art community, with contributions to art in the Cook Islands that are immeasurable.  Now at 72 years old, you will find Papa Mike in his workshop daily, telling stories and sharing his knowledge with any who are fortunate enough to visit. 

All are welcome to stop in, say Kia Orana.  For kids, it is a great opportunity to view the incredible array of art works featured in the gallery, learn something new about the Cook Islands and of course to have a chat with Papa Mike. 

This is one of the most unique but culturally valuable things to do in Rarotonga with kids.

20. Attend a church service 

Even if you aren’t a regular church goer this is a unique experience in Rarotonga. (There is nothing quite like the sound of singing in a Pacific Island church!).  And attending a church service with kids is an awesome experience. Seeing it through their eyes and experiencing the heartfelt culture of the Cook Islands is one of those moments of travel that you will remember forever. 

Most of the Cook Island Christian Church services start at 10:00am on a Sunday.  The local congregation and families attending will welcome you and make you more than glad that you went.  

Don’t forget a small donation to put in the tithings collection. And formal dress is expected.  The kids are fine in shorts or a dress, but for adults it’s a good excuse to embrace the island shirt and a modest dress for the ladies.  (Try an island church hat if you have time!). 

More about travel planning for Rarotonga and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

• Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. 
• Hostelworld– The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world. 
• Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
• GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). 

Read more from Cook Islands

• Rarotonga: A tropical family Christmas in paradise.
• A reef walk in Rarotonga with Ariimoana.
• The Needle: A guide to Rarotonga’s famous cross island walk.

So there you have it. A huge list of 20 AWESOME things to do in Rarotonga with kids. Let me know if you try some of these or have any suggestions to add!