Excursions in Cook Islands

RAROTONGA

With its jagged peaks and and sparkling aquamarine lagoon, Rarotonga is a jewel in the Pacific Ocean. This beautiful Island was one of the last in Cook Islands to be visited by European ships and has since become a favorite of sailors from all over the world. Rarotonga is surrounded by a lagoon which extends several hundred yards to the edge of a fringing reef The lagoon is a focal point of interest for visitors to Rarotonga. As the largest, most populated and main island, Rarotonga has most of the hotels and tourist activities and services. There are some excellent resorts on the island, including the Edgewater, and Rarotongan Sunset.

The island is only 32 kilometres in diameter, and is easily explored by bus (leaving every half hour from Avarua), motorbike, bike and even foot. Beaches and accessible reef are within easy reach and swimming is safe in most places, but the most popular beaches are Muri Beach and Titikaveka.

Surfing is growing in popularity, especially near the wreck of the Matai and at Avatiu, Avarua and Matavera. Windsurfing is particularly good at Muri Beach and the lagoon at Nagatangiaa.

The capital, Avarua, is the main administrative, commercial and service centre, with a lot of tourist attractions. For example, the National Cultural Centre shares a compound with the National Library and Museum and has some excellent displays of the islands' history and handicrafts. The National Library and Historical Society Museum are also in the town and worth visiting.

Artwork and crafts can be viewed and purchased at the Women's Handicraft Centre, Akatikitiki Art Gallery, Island Crafts and Perfumes of Raratonga, as well as in artists' homes and several of the hotels or small shops. Also not to be missed is the market on the waterfront at the western end of Avarua. This is open every day except Sunday.

Avarua also has many other shops, including some duty free shops that sell clothes, food and tourist paraphernalia. It also has well-stocked supermarkets.

With religion playing such an important part in the people's lives, the churches in Rarotonga are an attraction of their own. The old London Missionary Society schoolhouse, built in 1845, has been restored and is now an art gallery and sales outlet for Cook Island black pearls and jewellery and local arts and crafts. The Takamoa Mission House, believed to be the second oldest building in the South Pacific, was built as a school in 1842 by the London Missionary Society. The Avarua Cook Islands Christian Church was built in 1855 of coral and lime, and has an interesting churchyard. Other churches around the island are also interesting edifices, made as they are from coral.

Archaeological remains are also dotted around the island and are easily accessible. The palace of Makea, Pare O Tane, is at Taputapuatea in Avarua. The Arai-Te-Tonga is one of the most sacred spots on the island, being home to the royal court in pre-European times; the stone structures (Koutu) were used for the investiture of high chiefs, annual tribal feasts and the 'presentation of the first fruit'.

The 'Great Road of Toi', the Ara Metua, is an all-weather inland road, made in part with paved stones, that almost encircles the island, and was built 1000 years ago. There is also the Black Rock or Tuoro, which is the traditional point of departure for souls as they commenced their journey back to the fatherland. It's now a popular swimming place.

There are a number of treks on Rarotonga, from easy walks to strenuous hikes. One of the more popular is a four hour guided walk across the island that stops at the Needle, a rock formation with fabulous views. Papua Waterfall at Vaimaanga, the largest waterfall on the island, dropping into a large pool. Visitors can also walk through the Takitumu Nature Reserve with its abundant plant and bird life.

More and more divers are coming to the Cook Islands and top quality dive operations are available. Diving features visibility up to 200 feet, a spectacular drop off, canyons, caves and wrecks. The most popular places are the Ngatatangiia Swimthrough, Matavera Drop off, Mataora Wreck, Papu Canyon, Sand River and Koromiri Coral Garden. Fishing is another growing sport and ranges from night fishing with the locals to serious game fishing. There are a number of companies that offer fishing charters for both novices and experienced fisher people for deep sea fishing, saltwater fly fishing and light tackle game fishing.