Snorkelling Rarotonga
Below the surface
Rarotonga’s lagoon is teeming with colourful fish and marine life. Use a mask, snorkel and fins to check out what is below the surface. Some resorts will offer snorkelling gear for guests to use. The other option is to bring your own, or buy your own gear in Avarua.
Prevailing winds are from the southeast, making the west and northwest coasts often calm places to snorkel.
Our pick of spots is Aroa Beach (upper image; map location) in the southwest corner of the island, just west of The Rarotongan Beach Resort. You can pull off the road and park here at the corner opposite Adventure Cook Islands Dive Shop.
On the northwest coast, close to the end of the airport runway, you’ll find Black Rock, with black volcanic rocks surrounded by white sand, plus excellent snorkelling. Legend says that this is where the spirits of the dead commenced their voyage to the afterworld of ‘Avaiki.
Fruits of Rarotonga, in the southeast corner of the island, south of Muri, is in Tikioki is one of the Marine Parks of Rarotonga, though it can get windy here.
Muri Lagoon has good snorkelling, just to the left of the Muri Beach Club Hotel.