We are headed to Rarotonga, Cook Islands in 2 week, any must do’s while there? Excursions?

Definitely head to Aitutaki for a day, or a couple of nights if you can manage. I learned to dive on Raro. Beautiful place.

more than one night IMO

I'd agree to this as well. It's heaven there

Www.airraro.com
AIRRARO.COM
Air Rarotonga - English

Agreed. A couple days at least. Not that there’s much to do, but you won’t need much. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.

Yup. Just landing on the crushed coral runway is unreal. Heaven on earth for sure.

I second this too. Take the catamaran cruise! Best day ever in pure paradise

Rent a bike or moped and cycle around the island.

It's about 32 km around the island. Super fast

Jazmine Gardiner we did it and stopped along the beaches. Was fun. We have fam there.

If you want to see the iconic clear blue water that you see in all the pictures then you need to go to aitutaki

Swim with the dolphins. NOT Sea World style. They'll take you out on a boat and to known spots where the pods are formed. When you see them, you'll jump into the water into the pod of dolphins. There were like 50ish when we jumped in. You make some high pitched noise and they'll come right under you and lift you out of the water! swim right by you and brush up against ya. A very surreal experience.

There's the cross island hike you can do. The market: Punanga Nui Market, you can go diving - lots to see, sup yoga with Workout on Water - SUPyoga Standuppaddle Retreats, kite boarding with Kitesup watersports. Depending when you go you can catch Te Maeva Nui Cultural Festival (local dance festival) so much to do!!!

Www.pastrek.com

Visit Aitutaki... A neighbouring island. Absolutely magical.

Atiu island is really nice too. I hear this bed and breakfast is nice. http://www.atiutoursaccommodation.com/info.html
ATIUTOURSACCOMMODATION.COM
Atiu Bed & Breakfast-Info

uau atutaki will cost u 1000$ but you should do the cross island hike and check out some diving. i spend there 6weeks doin my divemasters let me know if u need some contacts

Aitutaki didn't cost me near that much. Must depend on time of year. We paid ~500 Canadian for our Aitutaki return flights. We were there in Sept/Oct.

Sometimes u can get it for $99 One way..

I dont think so, and if its price for locals that is well reduced, i ve never heard about anything cheaper than 3-400$/person one way

Viktor that's too bad. Maybe because you were there for only 6 weeks

well we were running a project that required moving personel to atutaki and to further atolls and it was ridiculously expensive, but for sure atutaki is a different cup of tea compared to raro

There are some great Tahitian type shows there at the hotels and are generally included with the price of dinner. We went to the authentic cultural evening and didn’t like it so much. The beaches are lovely in many spots around the island. Enjoy!!

Love , love , love the Cooks
.

Go to a church service. One we went to was all acapella singing . FYI don’t wear flowers in your hair to church
We did cross island
hike with guide. Wear comfy shoes
. Have to be able bodied to hike up the mountain
.

Aitutaki!!!!!!!!!

Bring ketchup if you use it. They don’t have it there. Also, bring water shoes as beaches can be rocky

Snorkelling is the absolute best!

Go to church in Titikaveka and listen to the Polynesian choir sing !! Recommended that women wear headgear. Tourists have their own spot in Church. Everyone goes across the street after for treats. One of the most amazing experiences of my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to go to the Cooks twice - it really is heaven on earth.

There is a bus that goes around the island one way on the hour and the other way on the half hour - no need for a car. Join the library and receive a library card - a very unique souvenir

There’s lots of scooters to rent - you have to get a licence there first (another momento) - lots of Rarotonga tattoos ( muffler burns)

If you go back, just bring your licence with you. $20 to renew and you don’t have to take the road test again. Brought my d/l from 2002 last year and no issues with renewal.

Jessica I’m dying to go back

Bit of a hike but you can actually walk around the whole island.

Go to the cultural experience up at the marae for Polynesian navigation training.

Eat at the Muri Night Market!