After four lively sea days and an unforgettable Halloween at sea, we arrived this morning at one of our absolute favourite islands — Rarotonga, the heart of the Cook Islands.
A Little History
Rarotonga is the largest and most populated of the 15 islands that make up the Cook Islands, scattered across a vast area of the South Pacific. The islands are named after Captain James Cook, who charted parts of the area in the 1770s (though interestingly, he never actually set foot on Rarotonga itself!). The Cook Islands are a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, with deep Polynesian roots and a proud, welcoming culture that shines through every visit.
Landing on Rarotonga – Always an Adventure
Rarotonga is what many cruisers call a “weather-dependent port.” There’s no deep-water pier for large ships, so passengers must tender ashore — and that can be tricky. If the ocean swells are too high, it’s just not safe to run the tenders. Out of our four visits, we’ve successfully landed three times, including today.
Today, the seas were a little lively again, and the tendering process was long and slow, but the crew handled it beautifully — safety always comes first.
Getting Around & Exploring
Rarotonga is perfectly sized for exploration. The coastal road that circles the island is 32 kilometres long, making it easy to see everything at a relaxed pace.
Our first visit years ago, we rented bikes and rode the full loop counterclockwise — a fun challenge with incredible scenery the entire way. The second time, we hopped on one of the local buses and spent a wonderful, lazy day at Muri Beach and Lagoon.
This time, we did the same — Muri never disappoints — but I came prepared with my snorkelling gear, ready to enjoy the lagoon’s crystal-clear waters and colourful fish.
The bus system here is charmingly simple: one bus runs clockwise, the other counterclockwise around the island. They both leave from the tender port — clockwise at the top of the hour and counterclockwise at the bottom. A full loop takes about 50 minutes. There are marked bus stops, but most people just flag the bus down wherever they’re standing (as long as there’s a safe spot for the driver to pull over).
We happened to be here on a Saturday, so the local shops and markets closed around noon — good to keep in mind if you plan to shop for island crafts or fresh fruit.
Evening Onboard – The Cellar Master’s Dinner
Back onboard, the indulgence continued! Tonight, we attended the Cellar Master’s Specialty Dinner, hosted by the always-wonderful Rod. We knew he’d deliver an amazing evening, and he absolutely did. Each course was beautifully presented and perfectly paired — and yes, of course, we took photos (how could we not?).
What’s Next
Tomorrow, we’re treating ourselves to a 75-minute massage — pure bliss after today’s adventure — followed by using our 5-star free day in the Thermal Spa. I think a little detox and decompression are exactly what we need right now… first world problems, right? 😄
