Relaxing Island Break
Recently my wife and I travelled to the South Pacific island of Rarotonga; the largest and most populated of the Cook Islands, but every bit as idyllic as one would expect from a tropical island. Needless to say, a 5-night stay here was a perfect break from the perils of working life back home.
We have both visited the Island a few times before and love it for the overall sense of relaxation and simply chilling out. Only a 4hour (approx.) flight from Auckland, (although crossing a dateline) makes it an easy and somewhat effortless place to travel to for one of those “time to unwind” breaks.
At just 67 kilometres square, you can circumnavigate Rarotonga by car or scooter (not of the Lime variety) in around 30 minutes (clockwise and anti-clockwise bus services run most of the day and night http://www.busaboutraro.com/schedule.html). Tourists are welcome at any of the islands resorts for drinks or a meal, so getting out and about each day is one of the things that I really love about this island. I’d certainly recommend hiring a car or scooter so you’re mobile, with the one main road skirting the coast you’re not going to get lost.
Surrounding the island is a reef, and the surf can certainly swell high (think of the movie Castaway with Tom Hanks which was filmed in Raro). Great if you’re a bit of a surf nomad, but for the more subtle ocean lover there are plenty of options too.
Muri Lagoon is the most popular spot for snorkelling (Look out for the Fruits of Rarotonga sign, this makes the spot where you can enjoy some of the islands best snorkelling). Tropical fish galore!
A great selection of local restaurants and bars, all featuring that relaxed island vibe, is one of the major appeals to a Raro holiday. Imagine the toughest choice each day being where you’ll perch up with a refreshing beverage and sampling local seafood?
Our first night in Raro was spent at Ikurangi Eco Retreat, the islands first eco accommodation and glamping site.
Nestled in a tropical garden setting under the mountains, 5km from the main township of Avarua, this is certainly a very peaceful location. With no restaurant or bar on-site , we recommend making a quick stop at the supermarket as you pass through town for those essential provisions (beer and wine).
As a family (leave the kids at home for this one) we’ve always enjoyed camping holidays back home in New Zealand, but Ikurangi Eco Retreat certainly puts a different spin on what we’ve been accustomed too.
Two styles of luxury safari tents are available, which is certainly camping in style. If the idea of glamping doesn’t appeal though, there are two Polynesian inspired studios available too.
During the busy months, yoga is scheduled and the ideal way to begin a Rao day, closely followed by a dip in the pool, and chased with tropical breakfast.
Make sure you check out what night the local night markets are on. The night markets make a good dinner option, and chatting with the locals (who are certainly welcoming) add a cultural dimension to the holiday.
There are of course plenty of other accommodation and dining options if you’re looking for something a little more upscale. Our favourite would be Tamarind House. Built in 1904 for the management of the Union Steamship company and later the home of the British Consul. Tamarind House opened as a restaurant in 2004 it is an island favourite for many travellers.
For a quiet lunch time drink, Charlies bar is one of our personal recommendations, and something that we typically don’t have the opportunity to enjoy back home. Charlies is right on the water with balcony seating . Most famous are the fish sandwiches (one of these will do for the both you), of course accompanied by a cold local beer.
After our taste of camping we moved locations for the remaining 4 nights of our Island holiday. These were spent at the Crowne Beach Resort in a pool studio.
I love these rooms which are certainly 4 star +. For a studio the rooms are huge and have a luxurious, modern bathroom with an amazing claw foot bath and large shower room where water comes at you from every angle!Your content goes here.
The private pool is great for cooling off from the humidity.
There us a large hotel pool area, but most tend to spend their time beach front, it can get shallow at various points around the island but snorkeling is pretty good at the Crowne and it’s free to use all the equipment including kayaks.
The Saturday morning market is great for souvenirs, local food and pretty good coffee!
We chaecked out a number of other resorts during our stay, from adults only luxury to 3 star that caters well for families. These included the Rarotongan Beach resort, Sunset, Edgewater, Club Raro, Moana Sands Lagoon Resort & Manuia Beach Resort. There are plenty of options (big & small) available to suit a range of budgets.
Eating and drinking is generally a little cheaper than in New Zealand, and paying in NZD makes managing holiday finances easy.
If enjoying a local drink is on your to-do holiday list (and why wouldn’t it be?) my favourite option is Shipwreck Bar, which I first visited some 20 years ago ! Staff aside, not much has changed; it’s the prefect spot for the obligatory Sunset photo
A second favourite bar/restaurant , is the iconic Trader Jack’s. Located overlooking the harbour in the main town Avarua.
Some popular options whilst in the Cook Islands include, a fishing charter, snorkelling with the turtles or a day trip or stay on Aitutaki, probably the most beautiful of the Cooks 15 Islands. It’s a 40 minute flight with day trips departing at 8am and returning at 5.30pm
You don’t go to the Cook Islands for retail therapy, this place is all about relaxing. What makes it special is undoubtedly the welcoming locals, weather and pace. I just love the fact you can easily move about the island too, so you’re definitely not going to feel resort bound (unless you want to be).
If you haven’t travelled to the Cook islands before, I’d certainly encourage you to consider this as a winter get-a-way option but you will want to book well in advance over the peak times, particularly around school holidays.