Rarotonga Honeymoon & Romance Itinerary: 3 Days 💙 [2024]

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How to Get Around the Cook Islands in 3 Days

This Rarotonga honeymoon and romance itinerary for 3 days includes travel on the island’s main road, Ara Tapu. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get around Rarotonga in 3 days.

Road Transport on Rarotonga

The first road transport you’ll encounter on Rarotonga is your airport transfer. Book this in advance with one of the airport shuttle/private transfer companies or your chosen accommodation. All your options are outlined in the 8 Best Airport Transfers.

For subsequent travel around Rarotonga, car and scooter hire offers the most flexibility and convenience. Get advice on car hire from What You Need to Hire a Car in the Cook Islands or for renting a scooter, check out the 10 Tips for Riding a Scooter in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands. Alternatively, there is a very frequent and affordable bus service, while taxi services are available for everything in between.

For all of your transport options, including bicycle hire and guided tours, check out the Rarotonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Rarotonga.

© Derek Smith - Cook Islands Tourism

Day 1 – Arrival on Rarotonga

Welcome to Rarotonga and the start of your romantic escape! After the arrivals process of going through customs and biosecurity, you’ll step outside of the arrivals hall to the Cook Island’s traditional greeting with a floral ‘ei (neck garland). Perhaps you’ll even enjoy a glass of bubbles if opting for a private airport transfer with Raro Tours, should you want to make your special occasion extra special.

Since it’s your first day on Rarotonga, take it easy and get settled at your chosen honeymoon accommodation. After check-in, relax by the pool, have a paddle with the kayaks provided at your resort and transition to “Raro time”. We’ll go over a few things you can do on Rarotonga tomorrow.

Rarotonga Romantic Accommodations

• Sea Change Villas
• Little Polynesian
• Manuia Beach Resort
• Crown Beach Resort & Spa
• Te Vakaroa Villas
• Nautilus Resort
• Magic Reef Beachfront Bungalows
• Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa
• Muri Beach Hideaway
• Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach

Discover what are our top picks in the 10 Most Romantic Wedding & Honeymoon Resorts in Rarotonga.

Dining Recommendations

For your first evening, make things easy for yourselves while no less romantic by choosing the reputable restaurant of your chosen accommodation; Little Polynesian, Manuia Beach Resort, Crown Beach Resort & Spa, Nautilus Resort and Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach all have fabulous restaurants. Otherwise, these resort restaurants are open for non-guests too. Find out more about them in The Food Guide to Rarotonga: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

© Charlotte Piho - CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Day 2 – Adventure in Raro

You only have one full day to tick off some of the items from your Raro bucket list, the most endearing of which for a romantic escape or honeymoon include the following.

Option 1: Scuba Diving

A romantic adventure awaits in the depths of Rarotonga’s volcanic underwater world, which you can buddy up on a scuba diving trip to explore if you’re both certified. If you’re not certified, however, nothing strengthens the bond quite like learning a new skill together! Find out more in Learn to Dive in the Cook Islands: A Guide to Scuba Diving Certifications.

Option 2: Island Hike

For adventures on dry land, tackle one of Raro’s hikes together, whether it’s the half-day mission of the Cross Island Trek or the romantic mountain hike of the Arore Trek at sunrise. More details on each can be found in the 10 Best Walks on Rarotonga.

Option 3: Turtle Swimming

A popular underwater alternative for couples is swimming with sea turtles. Whether it’s the sea scooter safari with Ariki Adventures (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor) or the freedom turtle swimming session with Snorkel Cook Islands (on Viator or Tripadvisor), the adventure of swimming with these rare and ancient creatures is unforgettable. Compare turtle tours in the 7 Best Turtle Swimming Tours in Rarotonga.

Option 4: Something Else…

And there are oh-so-many more adventures to choose from, from doubling up in a 4WD buggy to teaming up in a kayak on the Muri Lagoon. Compare all of your most romantic options in the 16 Most Romantic Things to Do on Rarotonga for Couples, as well as adventures in 10 Best Adventure Activities in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Dining Recommendations

Make your second and final night in Rarotonga the night you enjoy a private dining experience on the beach. The adults-only Crown Beach Resort & Spa offers private dining under a gorgeous decorated gazebo on the beach. You can also ask about private dining at On The Beach (OTB), Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach, The Rarotongan Resort & Lagoonarium and Pacific Resort Rarotonga. Needless to say, it’s one of the 16 Most Romantic Things to Do on Rarotonga for Couples.

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Day 3 – Relaxation or Self-Drive Tour of Rarotonga

Don’t forget to take the time to relax together too, even if you have to depart today. Up the relaxation with a couples’ spa treatment. If you’d rather explore together, however, opt for a self-drive tour of the island before departure.

Option 1: Couples’ Massage

You’ll certainly have enough time before your flight to soothe the senses and rejuvenate together with a couples’ massage. You’ll struggle to find a spa that doesn’t do couples’ massages on Rarotonga between the couples’ treatments at the Waterfall Spa of Rumours Luxury Villas and the beachfront massages of the Muri Beach Club Spa. Compare all of the spas in the 10 Best Spas in Rarotonga.

Option 2: Self-Drive Tour of Rarotonga

If you haven’t got a rental vehicle already, get one delivered to your accommodation, throw your suitcase in the back and hit the road! Head to Avarua to enjoy a spot of shopping at the black pearl jewellers, fashion outlets and especially the Punanga Nui Market if it’s a Saturday morning. Then continue around the island clockwise, checking out the historical sites of the Matavera backroads, stopping by the shores of Muri Beach, and enjoying the gorgeous surroundings of the Mairie Nui Gardens. You could even stop for a paddle and a bite to eat at Charlie’s Cafe & Beach Hire if you have a late-afternoon flight. We have a full itinerary you can follow in A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Rarotonga.

Departure

Remember to arrive at Rarotonga Airport a couple of hours before your scheduled departure so that you have enough time to check in, go through security and browse the duty-free. You can arrange to drop off your rental vehicle at the airport.

After check-in and security, Rarotonga International Airport’s duty-free stores are worth a browse with local ‘eis (necklaces), wooden carvings, local perfumes, ukuleles, coffee beans and more! Check out the 12 Best Souvenirs from Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for shopping inspiration.

And it’s “ka kite” from the Cook Islands!