Rarotonga, one of 15 far-flung islands of the Cook Islands southern group, is considered the Cook Islands capital. It may just be a dot on the world map, but this island is a living testament that such a beautiful paradise still exists in this day and age.

Rarotonga’s name comes from two words, ‘raro’ which means ‘down’ and ‘tonga’ for ‘south’, thus the term “the down south island”. Popular because of its toothed peaks and subterranean valleys, Rarotonga is surrounded by a crystal aquamarine lagoon that reaches the reef found in the north of the island.

Since the geographic structure of Rarotanga is mainly volcanic in nature, worn volcanic peaks shrouded in intense vegetation dominate the island’s interior. With the entire island being 32 km in circumference, travelers can easily stroll around the entire island, or take a leisurely ride.

Rarotonga is the most populated island in the Cook Islands group, and a favorite tourist destination, along with other islands such as Aitutaki. Rarotonga is home to white sandy beaches along the outer reaches of the island, mountain tracks, and native flora and fauna, which tourists, hikers, and eco-tourists alike will love. Cook Islands Diving is certainly one of the most anticipated island activities in Rarotonga with the whole island seeming to be just a simple yet stunning resort, just waiting for visitors to explore.

Travellers can also visit the famous cross-island walk that goes by Te Rua Manga, the well-known needle-shaped rock found within the island. Rarotonga is also famous for its Cook Islands Dancing, which shows fast hip turns, twirls, and titillating dance steps and is widely regarded as the finest in the South Pacific.

Other activities that guests can participate in during their stay include scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling, horseback riding, and trekking. Nightlife can also be fun, watching island shows and hanging around at night at the sea wall that goes around the runway’s end. Rarotonga also has many restaurants that can definitely satisfy the guests’ taste buds with mouth-watering and delectable cuisines.

Rarotonga is undeniably one of the most striking islands on Earth. One of its major selling points that attract visitors is the fact that the island is not a contrived, fabricated, and artificial tourist destination spot designed just to catch the attention of the travellers. Rarotonga, per se, is a real place, inhabited by real people, with real South Pacific culture.

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An introduction to the South Pacific paradise of the Cook Islands. This first video features the capital island of Rarotonga. Find out more at http://www.cookislands.org.uk – the only independent, non-commercial guide to all of the Cook Islands.

Duration : 0:4:10

Technorati Tags: Aitutaki, cook islands, Rarotonga

If you are not a certified diver we have a wonderful place here for beginners: The protected Aroa Marine Reserve, located direct in front of our dive centre.

This is the best spot on the island to go see fish while you do snorkelling. And we have the luck to be located here… There we do the Lagoon Dive/Intro Dive. you will get a proper introduction here in our dive centre how to use your equipment and we will teach you some signs (because we have to communicate under water).

Then you just walk over to the beach with your instructor and enter the water. Discover the marine reserve from below within the safety of the reef, because it’s just 2-3 meters deep. there you will have 35 to 50 minutes to relax, get used to your gear and have fun…

After that you have the possibility to do some skills so you are able to go forward and do a outer reef boat dive, but it’s your decision. the boat dive will be limited to 12meters together with a Padi Instructor. But you can decide it step after step….

Duration : 0:2:31

Technorati Tags: Cook Islands Diving, Rarotonga

Aitutaki is listed in some books as one of the 50 places everyone should see before they die. The island and its stunning, turquoise blue lagoon has been the location for the US TV series “Survivor Cook Islands” and the UK TV series “Shipwrecked”.

This video takes you on a tour of the island and that lagoon. This is the third in a series of short films about the Cook Islands. Find out more about the islands at http://www.cookislands.org.uk – the only independent, non-commercial guide on the internet to all of the Cook Islands

Duration : 0:4:25

Technorati Tags: Aitutaki, cook islands, Rarotonga