6 Best Snorkelling Tours in Rarotonga

Last Updated: 9 June, 2025

Find the Best Guided Tours for Snorkelling in Rarotonga!

Sure, you can snorkel from many beaches around Rarotonga. In fact, we list them in The Best Snorkelling in Rarotonga: Top 10 Places to Snorkel. But some of the best snorkelling and most vibrant ecosystems are a little harder to get to and some are not really that safe without a guide.

Cue Rarotonga’s snorkelling tours; guided experiences where the snorkelling gear and even sea scooters are provided to explore the harder-to-reach coral formations. Let us guide you through the best snorkelling tours on Rarotonga.

If you were looking for snorkelling tours with turtles, take a look at the 10 Best Turtle Swimming Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands instead.

1. Ariki Adventures

Ariki Adventures offers thrilling snorkelling experiences using their signature “Le Feet” lightweight sea scooters. Their two-hour Premium Sea Scooter Lagoon Discovery Tour is perfect for families, exploring coral canyons and tropical fish in the safe, reef-protected lagoon.

For the more adventurous, the Premium Sea Scooter Ocean Adventure ventures beyond the surf to the RMS Maitai shipwreck. Both tours include all gear, safety support, experienced guides, and a full photography package.

You’ll love the effortless gliding through Rarotonga’s stunning underwater world, courtesy of these nifty sea scooters. Don’t miss the chance to feed bluefin trevally or spot a moray eel in the coral canyons!

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Avaavaroa on the south coast of Rarotonga.

2. Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes

Join the cheeky crew from Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes for a fun day out on the Muri Lagoon and Motu Koromiri. The half-day cruise includes around 45 minutes of snorkelling at the “Fruits of Rarotonga” snorkelling site a.k.a. the Tikioki Marine Reserve where you’ll be free to swim among the giant clams, angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish and much more.

After snorkelling, the cruise on the glass-bottom boat crosses the Muri Lagoon to the uninhabited Motu Koromiri for a barbecue lunch combined with a hilarious coconut and sarong-tying show. Learn more from the 10 Best Day Cruises in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: Tours depart daily from Muri Beach, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Muri. Just look for the yellow boats!

3. Koka Lagoon Cruises

Almost identical to Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes, Koka Lagoon Cruises also offers a good portion of snorkelling at a marine reserve just outside of the Muri Lagoon. The main differences are that the cruise departs a little earlier (10 am instead of 11 am for Captain Tama’s) and the ukulele band playing on the boat throughout the cruise means there’s never a dull moment.

Plus, the crew is a little less “cheeky” but just as friendly. You still have an awesome time snorkelling, indulging in an island barbecue on Motu Koromiri and watching a fun coconut and sarong demonstration.

Location: Tours depart from Muri Beach, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Muri. Just look for the green and white boats!

4. KiteSUP

KiteSUP offers spectacular snorkelling adventures for all abilities, Sunday through Friday. You’ll love their introductory snorkel sessions, perfect for gaining confidence in the shallow lagoon waters. For more experienced swimmers, don’t miss the “Shipwreck Snorkel Tour”, where you can explore the SS Maitai, a 100+-year-old wreck that’s now a vibrant ecosystem.

Keep an eye out for giant trevally, moray eels, and giant clams! Tours typically last 1 hr 30 mins to 2 hrs, giving you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the underwater wonders of the Cook Islands.

Location: KiteSUP watersport centre on Muri Beach in Ngatangiia (southeast coast of Rarotonga)

5. Adventure Cook Islands

Adventure Cook Islands offers an exhilarating “Reef to See Snorkel Tour” that takes you beyond Rarotonga’s fringing reef. This 2 hrs 30 mins adventure allows six to seven snorkellers to explore two sites on the outer reef, where you’ll encounter larger marine life like eagle rays, turtles, and friendly reef sharks. With minimal boat time, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore underwater.

But that’s not all! Adventure Cook Islands also provides a full range of rental gear. From snorkel sets and wetsuits to weights, kayaks, and bodyboards, they’ve got you covered.

Rental prices vary based on duration, with discounts for longer hires. If you’re staying a while, multi-day hires often include free delivery to your accommodation (subject to a pricing threshold).

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Aroa Beach, Arorangi.

More About Snorkelling Tours in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Now that you know the top snorkelling tours on Rarotonga, see how they compare to snorkelling tours across the Cook Islands, as well as the snorkelling hotspots:

Finally, plan more of your Raro adventure using the 50 Best Things to Do on Rarotonga and Where to Stay on Rarotonga: The Best Rarotonga Accommodations.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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