Sightseeing in Rarotonga - what to see. Complete travel guide

Rarotonga is one of the youngest lands among the Cook Islands. Narrow coastline surrounded by trees, majestic mountains and deep gorges - all this natural splendor never ceases to attract travelers from different countries. At first glance, the island may seem quite unexplored and uninhabited, but its territory has well-developed tourist infrastructure.

Tourists are offered a large variety of tours, during which they could learn about the culture of Polynesian people, visit picturesque lagoons and stroll through the tropical forests, as well as scuba dive and admire the beauty of the underwater world. Fans of extreme activities can take a helicopter and enjoy the breathtaking view of the island with a bird's-eye view.

Unlike artificial islands, Rarotonga is literally drenched with mighty energy of wildlife. The island is occupied with coconut and citrus groves, vines and ferns jungle; in local forests you can find rare plants. The man wasn’t able to create such magnificence with his hands. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The island was long chosen by fans of deep sea fishing. Fishers harvest marlin, barracuda, tuna and other precious breeds of fish. In every part of the island you can find attractive restaurants and shops; local civilization literally borders with dense jungle.

The capital of the island is the town of Avarua. Its name literally translates as 'two harbors.' Back in 1992, it was a humble port city, but after the past festival of Maire Nui it started to develop. Today is a large tourist center. Amazing avenues and streets buried in the greenery, unique architectural constructions built in the best traditions of Polynesia and the lovely green hills on the horizon - this is how Avarua looks like. The main tourist attraction is a group of trees called Seven-In-One-Coconut-Tree. Palm trees form a perfect circle; a lot of interesting stories are associated with this natural landmark. Rarotonga also features several medieval buildings, churches and ancient cemeteries. Local museums represent a rich collection of historical and archaeological exhibits, as well as handicrafts and national costumes.

Rarotonga Island is a perfect place for diving. There are a lot of beautiful coral reefs near it. Here, you can see rare species of exotic fish and other sea dwellers, admire underwater caves and other wonderful attractions. Fishing is also very popular with the guests of the island. Local water sports centers regularly organize trips to popular fishing docks. There is another pleasant surprise for fans of fishing. After recreation, they can take their catch to one of the multiple restaurants where experienced chefs will cook seafood for them.

Nature admirers and fans of active holidays should certainly visit the Cocopat Amusement Park. It was created specially for tourists. There are a lot of sportsgrounds and recreation areas in this picturesque place. Here, you can play golf, have a wonderful picnic among exotic plants, and make use of the services offered by water sports centers. In the park, there are many beautiful places for walks and special playgrounds for children. For vacationers’ convenience, there are several restaurants and sports equipment rental centers in the territory of the park.

Fans of exciting sightseeing tours won’t be disappointed too. They can see wonderful Stone Papeyha. It is located in the capital and is a monument that reminds the locals of the important historical event. The stone was named after the first missionary reaching the archipelago and preaching the Christian teaching. The beautiful monument cut in the stone in honor of this event is a real pride for the locals now. In the capital, there is an old Christian church. It was built in 1849 and is the first church on the Cook Islands.

It will be interesting for fans of event tourism to visit the island in February. The traditional Dance and Culture Festival is held at this time here. It lasts for a week. During the festival, you can witness music and dance groups’ performances and see the works of local craftsmen and artists. At the festival, travelers have also an opportunity to buy a lot of unique gifts and take part in interesting entertainments.