Rarotonga - Activities, Attractions & Shopping

Plenty of leisure and sports activities available on the island.

The Cross Island hike is worthwhile. It is a fairly arduous 4-hour hike but offers magnificent views from the top in the region of the Needle. The trail begins near Aviation Harbour and ends at Wigmore Falls on the south side of the island. You can flag down a local bus for the return trip back to the boat harbor

Duty-free liquors after outward clearance have been issued. Many tourist stores.

Takitumu Conservation Area

Located on the southeastern side of inland Rarotonga, this area covers 155 hectares of upland forest, scrub and fern land, and has played a major role in protecting one of the world's rarest land birds, the kakerori. It is also home to the unique i'oi and kukupa native birds, and the introduced myna and long-tailed cuckoo. Takitumu contains 70% of all the plant species found in inland Rarotonga, including the neinei, the Rarotonga orchid, and the rare ground orchid.

Raui Marine Reserves

Raui is a traditional conservation system, which prohibits access to allow the rejuvenation of natural resources. Five marine Raui are in place in the lagoon on Rarotonga to protect the marine environment and to allow marine plants and animals an opportunity to grow and breed, and spread to other parts of the lagoon and sea. The total Raui area accounts for about 8% of the reef circumference of Rarotonga. Swimming and snorkeling are permitted in Raui areas but the harvest of marine life, particularly those traditionally used for food, is restricted or prohibited. Markers have been placed on the boundaries in the lagoon to identify the Raui areas. Blue signposts on the roadside also indicate areas under Raui. They include:

Tikioki: Snorkelling, swimming, and Glass Bottom Boat cruises are popular in this area due to the abundance of wildlife. You can expect to see at least 80 different fish species, not to mention numerous invertebrates and more than 30 species of marine plants and corals.

Aroko/Nukupure: The most unique feature of this area is the tidal salt marsh consisting of kiukiu (salt water paspalum grass) and Mauku tatau tai (sedge). It is a breeding ground for several species of fish and crab and has one of the few remaining populations of a native date mussel species. Rare migratory birds such as the bar tail godwits and sanderlings also use this area.

Matavera/Pouara : This area contains various invertebrate reef species, including kina, rori, paua and ariri.

Nikao: This reserve includes extensive reef flats, which provide important habitat for marine invertebrates, including Hariri, kina, paua, Rori, trochus, ungakoa, and vana.