Cheap flights to Rarotonga from $280

Cheap flights to Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands, take just three hours or so from Australia or New Zealand. Those flights will deliver you to the “down south” island that runs on Raro time – deliciously slow and laidback, a perfect complement to the azure-blue seas, palm-fringed soft-sand beaches and friendly Cook Islanders.

Life on Rarotonga, in general, is clustered around the coasts. Ancient volcanic peaks dominate the centre of the island, shrouded in dense, lush, vegetation. Consequently, the centre is not as well-known as the beaches.

Avarua, on the north coast, is the capital of the Cook Islands. Most popular with tourists is the southeast coast, around Muri, where the lagoon is widest and deepest and best for swimming, snorkelling, scuba-diving and boating.

Rarotonga climate

Rarotonga’s climate is equable, with little variation in temperatures year-round. The winter months are May to October; temperatures range between 18 and 28 degrees Celsius. The summer months are November to April and temps are 21-29 degrees. January to early May are the wet season months.

Getting around Rarotonga

The Rarotonga bus service runs clockwise and anti-clockwise between about 7am and 4.30pm daily. 

Rental cars and motor scooters are available, but drivers must have a Cook Islands licence, which costs about $10.

What is good to know if travelling to Rarotonga?

• Visitors are not expected to tip while on the Cook Islands. It’s not part of the Islanders’ culture. Also, Rarotonga is a conservative place. Even Rarotongan women will cover up for the beach. Dress conservatively. 
• There are four coral islets off Muri Beach: Mo tutapu, Oneroa, Koromiri and Taakoka. 
• The Takitumu Conservation Area protects native birds and plants, particularly the Kakerori, the Rarotonga Flycatcher. 
• Rarotanga’s cuisine is modern Pacific Rim – a fusion of Asian, Indian and French. Ika mata is a specialty on Rarotonga, it’s fish marinated in coconut and lime. Ika mata, with taro (the leaves of the taro are island spinach) appear on “island nights” menus. 
• The Saturday market at Punanga Nui runs from 6am until noon. This is the place to pick up black pearls, hand-woven baskets and wooden souvenirs. 
• Set aside some money to cover the departure tax when you leave Rarotonga. It’s NZ$55.