Rarotonga Holiday Tips - 12 Things To Do In Paradise! | Cook Islands Ep. 1 of 7
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- Welcome to Rarotonga! The heart of the Cook Islands, a holiday in Rarotonga is like no other - so here's 12 amazing things to do in paradise... Follow us on Instagram here - / danegerandstacey ⬇ More Below ⬇
We recently got back from our 3rd trip to the Cook Islands, spending most of our time in Rarotonga (along with a few days in Aitutaki as well) and met a bunch of people who'd found our last Raro videos and had used them as a bit of a guide for their holiday. So, to help with your potential Rarotonga holiday and some things to do we've put together 12+ travel tips and advice for what you can get up to.
We were hosted by Cook Islands tourism and some operators that feature in this series, but as always these are our opinions only and what we recommend is all our own thoughts, we have full editorial control. Here’s some links to the activities, tours, accommodation and food spots we mentioned in Rarotonga:
1 - Lagoon Tours
Captain Tamas: www.captaintamas.com
Koka Lagoon Cruises: www.kokalagooncruises.com
2 - Seafood
Muri Night Markets: cookislands.travel/experience...
Mooring Fish Cafe: www.themooringfishcaferaro.com
Charlies: www.charliesraro.com/
Antipodes: www.antipodesrarotonga.com/re...
3 - Swim With Turtles
There’s a few different companies operating snorkel trips, but we recommend…
Ariki Adventures: arikiadventures.rezdy.com/236...
4 - Accommodation
Rarotonga / Cook Islands Tourism Site: cookislands.travel/where-to-stay
Te Vakaroa Villas: www.tevakaroavillas.com/
Pacific Resort: www.pacificresort.com/rarotonga/
Moana Sands Lagoon Resort: www.moanasands.co.ck/moana-sa...
5 - Markets
Muri Night Markets and the Punanga Nui Markets: cookislands.travel/experience...
6 - Chase the sun
Arore Mountain Trek: cookislands.travel/it/node/1405
KiteSUP: www.kitesup.co/night-paddle
Antipodes Restaurant: www.antipodesrarotonga.com/re...
7 - Car Hire
Polynesian Rental Cars & Bikes: www.polynesianhire.co.ck
8 - Drink a local beer
Hula Bar at The Islander Hotel: www.islanderhotel.co.ck/
You’re gonna find cocktails and beer EVERYWHERE, but you can check out: rarotongabrewery.com/our-dist...
9 - Snorkel
Some great options here: cookislands.travel/experience...
10 - Embrace the rain
Raro Buggy Tours: www.rarobuggytours.com
11 - Local life
Progressive Dinner Tour: cookislandstours.co.ck/experi...
12 - Aitutaki trip
Aitutaki day tour: aitutakidaytour.com/
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Rarotonga
01:01Lagoon tours
01:32 Local seafood
02:08 Swim with turtles
02:39 Accommodation chillin
03:44 Markets
04:22 Sunrise & sunset tours
05:19 Explore
05:56 Local beer
06:37 Snorkel
07:16 Buggy tour
07:46 Progressive food tour
08:38 Aitutaki day trip
09:11 Bonus tips
09:55 Final thoughts
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#Rarotonga #CookIslands
You always make the best travel vlogs!
You're the best!
We love the Cook Islands and hope to take our grandchildren there one day.
Hope you can too!
You guys have epic footage from this amazing island. Love your suggestions.
Beautiful, looking forward to a new series! Glad you got to go exploring! Safe travels, cheers!
Thanks Stan!
Looking forward to this adventure for sure 🏝
Us too, can't wait to share more!
I'm so pleased for you guys being able to travel further afield again! Rarotonga looks like absolute paradise and I wish it wasn't so far away!!! I look forward to watching the next 6 episodes as I get to see more of this stuff in more depth! 🙏
It's so special getting back something that was taken away, travel! Obviously a pretty special destination too!
Thank you guys for sharing your video. Absolutely beautiful ❤❤❤
Great list. We just got back earlier this week from an incredible two weeks in Raro. This video gave me some great ideas for next time as there were a few things we didn’t get around to! Also some pretty good snorkelling out front of the Rarotongan Resort. Highland Paradise does a great island night experience and Raro Safari Tour was a good way to get a bit of a tour around the inner ring road and learn more about the local history. I thought Snorkel Cook Islands was a great option for seeing the turtles and they have a great safety record (zero drownings) that some of the other companies don’t! Thanks for sharing 😁
Glad you guys had a good time, two weeks is pure island bliss by the end surely! You'd be zen as. Thanks for the other tips here for us next time and others reading these comments!
Thanks guys for sharing your tips. Can't wait the watch your cool videos from Rarotonga! I love your channel. Glad you can travel. Stay safe and have fun. Cheers 🧔
Awesome! Thank you and thanks for always leaving such nice comments
Thanks guys this is awesome ❤, leaving tomorrow!
You're welcome - hope you're loving it!
Loved this, thanks for putting it together!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Harriet and I have been to Rarotonga and enjoyed our time there. So many great memories, the people, the calm atmosphere. It wasn't overrun by tourists. Can't wait to see your next videos,
some of those great memories. Also, we can't wait to see some great pics coming of Nalu. Be Well my friends. Sending you lots of love💖💖 Harriet, Jim and Yuki. Richmond. Va.
Sounds like your experience has been similar to ours, both times. Busy but chill and an amazing place to explore! Nalu update incoming soon...
Fantastic information guys,well done again.
Appreciate it!
Bravo! It does look like paradise! Thanks for taking us along! ~Cara 😊
Glad you've enjoyed the snippet, lots more to come!
Gorgeous guys .. after a really wet last 5 months in Aus it was just amazing to spend some time in sun ☀️ with you two 🙏.. thank you for sharing 😁🌴🌺❤️
Our pleasure! Thanks for traveling with us vicariously
Thank you! Perfect timing for our winter getaway to Rarotonga next week!
Have fun! Glad to help
Great vid team, one of the best Raro holiday vids on CZcams.
Wow, thanks! Much appreciated
Thanks for your review, we are travelling there in 5 weeks time and are now looking forward to the trip even more, Thank you. Its going to be great
Glad it was helpful! You're gonna have an amazing time! Lots more vids from there to come
my body is ready for this series...great vid
HAHA well get your body back here to watch the next vid, it just went live
👍 Great job on this video. I didn't expect it to be that good. I also really liked the insight, the editing, and pretty much everything else. Thank you 👋
Thanks a ton!
Cook Islands is very beautiful based on your vlogs.💖💐✨
Thanks Dane & Stacey
Even more beautiful in person! (especially when you get sun, our luck was so so )
Love the idea of a local progressive dinner. Those are so fun anytime. Thanks for sharing.
Any time! Yup totally agree, such a genuinely nice way to meet families and learn (AND EAT)
this is one of the best videos on my home island (well one of them). Very informative!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Going in November! Can’t wait
You're going to love it!
@@DanegerAndStacey did you do any fishing charters?
Epic Video🙌 I myself live in Rarotonga and it’s been an honor to see such amazing Vlogs about this beautiful paradise, literally a stunning island😍🌴 Can’t wait for y’all to do a holiday trip to Beautiful blue lagoon Aitutaki, definitely earths Majestic Wonder. Kia Orana and Kia Manuia. CHEEEEEHOOOOOO!!
Glad you enjoyed it! If you're living there and you think it's a goodie then we're stoked! Lots more to come mate
@@DanegerAndStacey looking forward to more of your vlogs😃 hope your stay here in the Cookislands is a memorable one. Cheers to a taste of a little paradise🍻🌴 & Love a little Paradise.
Thank u for sharing great tips 👍
You're welcome!
Kia orana, hope you enjoyed it in Raro. Loved the video. Makes me miss home, haven't been back in a while. Think it's time to plan a trip back! Hehe
For sure - get yo ass back there haha!
Outstanding again!! I am getting some pretty strong Cook Island wedding vibes. Maybe?
My sister got married there, so it's off the radar for us, but it is a stunning spot for it!
definitely got Rorotonga on my radar.....hopefully meet you guys one day in our city of Auckland
You gotta get there Karen, you'll love it!
O M G.
This is so beautiful!
Thank you!
Went to the Cooks for the first time in May. Really enjoyed ourselves. Will now make it a regular get away in the future. Temps were good and not too hot. Stayed at Moana Sands Villas which was great.
Yay - Moana Sands seems great across all their accom, glad you had a good time!
Wauw looks absoluut Breathtaking gorgeous island 🥰
Can not wait for your series to start😜 Hope your Both doing well ,how Nalu doing 🤔🥰
Have a Great weekend
Glad you enjoyed! Nalu is doing well, learning and getting better all round but wow - he/the process is all consuming! Will update soon :)
I just returned from my first visit to Raro and Aitutaki it's cool to watch these vids and say I been there 😁
Hope you loved it!
great video thank you!
Glad you liked it!
I’m going back in a week I’m so excited🤭
Hope you're loving it!
YaY, so happy to see you in your natural state- traveling abroad! ;)
Us too! SO FUN to be international again
Great video. I visited there in the 80's, and it seems to have grown with more large resorts.
Yes it has changed a lot since then no doubt!
Can't wait for the CI series ❤
Whooop! Next ep just went live
i love Cook islands so much , I just got back this Monday, I spend 5 days In Aitutaki and 7 days in Aitutaki managed Isolation facility hahahah what a epic trip
HAHA well bugger, I think, wait, was that a good thing or not lol ? Hope you had a good time either way
wow, so much to fit into that video! Must have been a hard edit haha. Raro and Aitutaki, my 2nd home. Back in 2 weeks for my 9th time so am tempted to do the progressive dinner and buggy rides. Already booked for the turtle swim and a stay at Matariki beach huts in Aitutaki. Very off the grid! Cant wait to see your next vid!
Yup, these ones are always time consuming with the amount of footage to pull and essentially typing out a 10-15 minute script as well! 9th visit? Damn, we should have asked you for advice haha!
@@DanegerAndStacey haha. Im here right now in a villa overlooking Muri lagoon. Its like being back home. All the locals are coming back from church
Going in 4 days! ❤️ forever nz!
I’ve been there before it’s amazing ❤
Paradise isn't it?
Cocoput is fun and has a nice bar/cafe.
Thanks for the tip, we're hoping to go back again soon
Nice video
Hello guys! Love your content, watched almost all of it. I was wondering if you guys knew about ( or if it is a problem on my end) the fact that your Scotland playlist does not show up in your playlists (EU playlists nor all playlists) unless you search for it specifically ? Are there more playlists like that? Might be a settings that is missing or wrong, or it might be on my end, but it is missing in both my Edge, Firefox and my cell phone so sort of doubt it. Is it intentional or?
Side note, at what time(month) were you filming your bike and whine tour in Queenstown ? That looked so amazing!
Thanks again for dropping this comment on the other vid, all sorted :)
Ay my home town let goo 🇨🇰
Let's gooo! Amazing home you got
This is really helpful. I am going with family in 4 weeks time!!! I'm super nervous and excited... I'm nervous about the food as I'm a very fussy eater and not usually one to try new foods. Hopefully this will change my habit in that sense! So looking forward to it and we arrive in whale season too! That was totally not planned but pefect as I've always wanted to see a whale in person. I love marine life.
Sorry I’m a little late but how was your holiday!
Excelent video \o/
Thank you!
I get so excited when you guys bring out a new video!! I cant't wait to go to Rarotonga one day! Sure am writing some tips and tricks down :) cant wait for this series!!
YAY! The next vid just went up :)
thank you for sharing, love seeing your guys travels. Cant wait for your next episode about aitutaki too😊
Yeow! First one just went live
Thank you so very much for the wonderful video of the Islands I love. Bought back a lot of memories. And a small tear to my eyes. Look forward to the rest of your trip videos. Thank you.
SO HAPPY we can help you relive some of those memories!
Nice video. Regards from Malaysian utuber
Been to Raro many a time and still feel the need to go back! Stunning video, bring on the series 😊🌞
Agree - there is SO much to do, or nothing, it;s the perfect balance
I'm already relaxed! 🥰 Moving to the opposite side of the world from NZ definitely puts this kind of stuff out of reach for now. You two are making us crazy homesick with all this content!
Aww homesickness sucks, but how cool we live in this digital world where you can actually see and experience it (in a way..)
Wow! Been wanting to go to the Cook Islands since you guys was first there! Aiming to go next year when I’m over in Aus and NZ so this series gunna make me a lot more excited for it!
You should! We think this series will help more than the last even, so much more to share!
Wow imazing i really need to reach there with my future husband insha'Allah
Do it!
We stayed at the edge water and it was good resort
Yeah nice, we met some people that stayed there and said they loved it too
AMAAAZING! "Stacey voice"
😂 love that she's got her own catch phrase!
Best thing to do ,is go to Aitutaki 😊👍
Sorry for the delay, we've been exploring South America! Yup, agree, it's a stunner!
We were last there 8 years ago. Looks like a lot more on offer now and worth another visit!
Yeah I first went about 10 years ago and in some ways lots has changed (more tours, activities and food/cafes) but in a lot of ways it's still just the beautiful, calm, relaxed place you remember! Win-win.
I'm going for 7 days.... and I'm hiring Two fishing boats on two separate islands 🤣 you guys missed the best part. Haha but yea I can't wait to do some snorkeling over there too and eat a lot of ika mata
That sounds awesome! You'll be getting a lot of sashimi as well if you're out in the water - nice!
@@DanegerAndStacey that's the plan!!!
Well I'm interested
I love the Cook Islands and can’t wait to go back I’m hoping to take my girlfriend there within the year
It's getting so much easier to visit with less restrictions either side too, hope you guys get there soon!
how did you guys get a drone permit as im going next year and really wanna fly :)
Luckily the tourism team on the ground gave us DJI codes to unlock the drone to share with everyone here... but, lots of people just reckless flying 🤷🏼♂️
The BCI Vaka ATM in town has zero fees on NZ card cash withdrawals.
NICE! Great info to share, thanks for that
Beautiful coral ,good food, and friendly people in Cooks 🏝 Islands.
Greetings from beautiful tropical Hawaii islands.
Is there a entrance visa needed ? Online or local on arrival ? From Europe 💜🍀🙏🏻
Not sure about from Europe sorry, for Kiwis there's nothing required so we havent had to check
I’d love to try the progressive dinner you’ve shared. Would you have details to contact please?
Hey we have it linked in the video description below.
How good does the water looooookkkkk...
When that sun is shining on it, it's insane
Did u have to take a covid test travelling in and out of cooks?
NOPE! Not needed anymore to go to or back to NZ!
@@DanegerAndStacey thanks! I keep finding old info
Sorry to hear of the recent passing away of Jack Cooper from Trader Jacks last week on Thursday. May he RIP.
Awww RIP, we didn't know that!
Well I am here because it's my Antipode according to google earth
Also… you can’t buy booze on a Sunday, so stock up!
GREAT tip!
stacey an daneger another fucking rough asf day for cuzzy rory today. this week iam not doing too gooidddddd. ate the mo missing yo guys messages me back too night or this long weekend
Sorry to hear that dude - keep ya head up, things will get better
@@DanegerAndStacey idk thinks for the loveley messages too me i just go it aye
@@DanegerAndStacey cuzzy rory whent on roadd trip too qeenstown nz new zealand wheren it was comeing down with sowning in queenstown yo missed out buddyy. ay would off loved it beeing in the sown was down on the hills soo hows thinks been going with yo loveley guys i missed talking too yo bolth aye sending my love out too yo bro an. stacey an all the best with your travel vids any another travel vids too the south island in nelson nz new zealand sometime agon soon aye
Watching your videos is so dangerous to my wallet 🤣 I just want to hop a plane and go!
Oh no! You'll have nothing left if you let that happen
SO jealous 🤦♀️
Just gotta live through us for a while :)
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🌹🌹🌹🌹👍👍👍👍🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩
❤❤❤❤❤❤🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
first?haha
☝🏻 numero uno baybay
Cool name!