Avarua

Rarotonga

Avarua featuring a bay or harbor and mountains
Avarua which includes swimming as well as a small group of people
Avarua
Avarua which includes a marina
Avarua which includes motorbike riding
Base yourself in the center of the Cook Islands, explore thousands of years of Polynesian culture, see coral reefs and trek through rainforest.

Avarua (Two Harbors) is the main port for yacht and boat anchorage in the Cook Islands. Visit Rarotonga’s central township to find shops, museums, cafés, accommodations and lively Cook Islands nightlife.

Inside the coral reef encircling Rarotonga’s blue-green lagoon, the sea abounds with marine life, living coral and tropical fish. Astounding visibility and year-round warm waters make snorkeling or scuba diving the best way to explore underwater caves, canyons and shipwrecks. Avarua is a great place for beginners to get scuba diving certification.

Plan a day of deep-sea fishing to catch yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, barracuda and snapper. Test your skills at the Rarotonga Golf Club or enjoy a hike through thick jungle to spot native birds and butterflies. Make the 4-hour climb with Pa’s Treks to the top of the Te Rua Manga and learn about local myths and legends. Other hikes include Turangi Track, Raemaru Lookout, Avana Valley Track, Papua Waterfall Track and the protected rainforest at Takitumu Conservation Area. Bring hiking shoes for the rocky, uneven terrain.

See the bright white-coral exterior of the historic Cook Islands Christian Church, built in 1853. Step inside to hear locals rejoicing in song.

Find contemporary and traditional arts and crafts at the Beachcomber Gallery and rare black pearls at the Beachcomber Pearl Market. Shop at the daily Punanga Nui Market on Avarua Wharf for arts and crafts, tropical fruits, vegetables and favorite local dishes.

Behind the Para-O-Tane Palace is the modest Cook Islands Library and Museum, which displays the island’s first printing press and other artifacts.

To complete a relaxed Cook Islands day, attend a spirited Polynesian buffet with cultural dance and musical performances.

Located on the northern coastline of Rarotonga, Avarua is a lively township with modern facilities including banks, shops and travel agencies. Get around the island easily with a 45-minute round-Rarotonga bus ride or by rented car, scooter or bicycle.


Popular places to visit


Avarua Hotel Deals

Club Raro Resort – Adults Only
Club Raro Resort – Adults Only
3 out of 5
Ara Tapu, Avarua, Rarotonga
The price is ₩168,915 per night from May 25 to May 26
₩168,915
₩194,252 total
includes taxes & fees
May 25 - May 26
Stay at this 3-star beach resort in Rarotonga. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (999 reviews)
"Lovely break here. Staff were excellent and very helpful. Great location and peaceful stay. Will be back again"

Reviewed on Apr 21, 2025

Club Raro Resort – Adults Only
Kia Orana Villas and Spa
Kia Orana Villas and Spa
4 out of 5
2 Ariki Road, Atupa, Rarotonga
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (88 reviews)
"Here for a week with my 2 daughters and grandson, we had a 2 bedroom villa which was spacious and well presented both inside and out, well equiped kitchen ( if you wanted to cook) Amazinglycomfortable beds and the pool was directly outside our villa. Sane was very helpful and organised our car hire ..."

Reviewed on Apr 18, 2025

Kia Orana Villas and Spa
Atupa Suites
Atupa Suites
3 out of 5
1 Ariki Rd, Rarotonga
The price is ₩274,150 per night from Apr 29 to Apr 30
₩274,150
₩315,272 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this 3-star villa in Rarotonga. Enjoy free parking, laundry facilities, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Muri Beach and Punanga Nui Market ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
"This was such a lovely serene place to stay. The pool was perfect for those hot summer days, the kitchen was spacious and had everything we needed for our stay. The air con units in both rooms were lifesavers, and the bathroom/shower facilities were fantastic"

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2025

Atupa Suites
The Edgewater Resort & Spa
The Edgewater Resort & Spa
3.5 out of 5
Avarua, Rarotonga
The price is ₩241,897 per night from Apr 27 to Apr 28
₩241,897
₩278,182 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Stay at this 3.5-star beach resort in Rarotonga. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"This was a near perfect trip. The hotel itself is comfortable but not fancy, perfect for a relaxed island break. Being able to swim in the ocean, snorkel immediately outside the resort on the marine reserve/coral, make use of the pool etc so easily makes it a great base. The facilities are good, ..."

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2025

The Edgewater Resort & Spa
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
4 out of 5
Aroa Beach Marine Reserve, Arorangi, Ara Tapu Rd, Rarotonga
The price is ₩279,861 per night from Apr 30 to May 1
₩279,861
₩321,840 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 30 - May 1
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free parking, 2 restaurants, and a private beach. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the family amenities ...
8/10 Very Good! (423 reviews)
"We enjoyed the interconnected rooms as a family of 4. Staff are always friendly and accommodating. Breakfast selection of hot and continental was great. Pool area always clean, amazing beach for swimming and snorkeling"

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2025

The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
The Islander Hotel
The Islander Hotel
3 out of 5
Main Road, Panama, Rarotonga
The price is ₩215,019 per night from Apr 28 to Apr 29
₩215,019
₩247,272 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Rarotonga. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (431 reviews)
"Lovely location. Primo Air conditioning! Was a great overnight stay after getting off the plane late at night. Thoroughly enjoyed our cooked breakfast and coffees the next morning. Would stay again and recommend to other's."

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2025

The Islander Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Avarua

Rarotonga featuring a cascade and a pond

Takuvaine Tapere

While visiting Takuvaine Tapere, you might make a stop by sights like Cook Islands Library and Museum and Cook Island Christian Church.

Takuvaine Tapere
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Kiikii Tapere

When in Kiikii Tapere, you can plan a visit to Beachcomber Pearl Market and Cook Islands Library and Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Kiikii Tapere
Sunrise on the South Pacific island of Rarotonga.  The island way of life here is something special.  The people have such a joy in life that it's bound to rub off.  

For more, see 'Paradise Found:Why Rarotonga Will Make you  Happy' at: http://www.travelblissnow.com/paradise-found-why-rarotonga-will-make-you-happy/

Matavera

4/5(1 area review)

Well-liked for its beaches and snorkeling, you might stop by Muri Beach and Te Vara Nui Village while you're exploring Matavera and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Matavera
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Turangi Tapere

While Turangi Tapere might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Muri Beach and Te Vara Nui Village.

Turangi Tapere
Arorangi showing general coastal views and kayaking or canoeing

Arorangi

4.5/5(30 area reviews)

Arorangi is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Aroa Beach and Black Rock.

Arorangi
Ngatangiia

Takitumu District

While visiting Takitumu District, you might make a stop by sights like Muri Beach and Muri Night Markets.

Takitumu District

Avarua