Introducing Rarotonga
Scattered over a vast expanse of empty ocean the size of Western Europe, the tiny Cook Islands is a castaway's dream come true. If you've ever fantasised about escaping to a remote desert island, far from the hustle and hum of the modern world, then look no further than these 15 fascinating islands, where you'll find a thousand years of Polynesian culture sitting side by side with some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the South Pacific. The jewel in the crown is Rarotonga, the largest island - a bewitching blend of craggy mountains, dense jungle and glorious bone-white beaches - but you really need to get out and explore some of the other islands as well. The hook-shaped atoll of Aitutaki, the second most visited by tourists, sits at the top of one of the world's largest coral lagoons, packed with giant clams and technicolour tropical fish, and ringed by smaller uninhabited islets, known as motu, around its outer edges. Then there's the small, rocky island of 'Atiu, with its limestone caves, coffee plantations and bush-beer drinking; the makatea islands of Mau'ke, Mitiaro and Mangaia, where traditional village life still predominates; and the far-flung black pearl fields of Penrhyn and Manihiki, which most visitors never get the chance to see.
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But don't plan on doing too much. Time, like most other things in the Cook Islands, has a mind of its own. Days roll by with the island tides: one morning you'll be exploring taro plantations, swimming in underground caves and dancing till dawn with the locals, and the next, a plane will be waiting to take you home. Make the most of it while you can - paradise is a pretty tough place to find.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Re: Do you need to pre-book accommodation before arriving in Rarotonga?
by terry40poole 04 September 2011
Thanks guys, my friend will take an email print-out confirming his reservation at the Aremango guest house to show to immigration, in…
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Travel to Raro as a single...
by Kiwicoffeeman 31 August 2011
Hiya all, Im looking to have a break away to Rarotonga next month, but seen as i havet done much travelling as a single.. Anyone got…
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Re: Why Rarotonga is a sh*tty place for Americans to visit.
by lagoon 28 August 2011
It's decidedly a case of bad fit in your case Ryan - it happens, so get over it! Has it similarly occured to you that other nationalities…
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Rarotonga
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Rarotonga Overview
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Our Top Picks For Rarotonga
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1 Island night
Strutting your stuff with the locals at an island night
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2 Muri Lagoon
Snorkelling in the cerulean blue waters of Muri Lagoon
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3 Cross-island track
Surveying the scene from the Needle on Rarotonga's classic cross-island track
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4 Cook Islands Cultural Village
Travelling back in time at the Cook Islands Cultural Village
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5 Circle-island tour
Exploring Rarotonga's rich history and heritage on a circle-island tour
Our favourite Rarotonga Blogs (beta)
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Guest post: The lagoon of Aitutaki, a paradise in the Cook Islands
Blog: A Travel Around the World - 4 April 2010
We are excited to welcome our first guest authors Erin McNeaney and her partner Simon Fairbairn which have sold everything to travel FOREVER!! You can follow their travels, currently in South America, and their journey to becoming full fledged digital nomads at Never Ending Voyage. In the meantime enjoy their post about their previous travel to the Cook Islands and the Aiutaki Lagoon.
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Snapshot of the week: Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Blog: A Travel Around the World - 22 February 2010
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Rarotonga: living up to the tropical paradise hype?
Blog: A Travel Around the World - 18 February 2010
Even though it was time to regrettably leave Australia, we couldn’t hide our anticipation and excitement about the last part of our journey which included a short stop in Rarotonga, our fantasised escape to a remote desert island. Together with other 14 tropical islands they form the archipelago of the Cook Islands, scattered over two million square kilometres in the vast South Pacific.
