The Best Bike Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands 🚴‍♀️ 2026

Last Updated: 8 June, 2025

Guided Cycle Tours, Dirt Bike Tours and Self-Guided Bike Tours in the Cook Islands

All that most tourists get to experience of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands is whatever is on or in the water. And most tourists never realise how incredible the inland adventures can be! Get on a bicycle and all of that will change. Not only will you see a more ruggedly beautiful side of Rarotonga on the inland roads, but your local guide will show you some of the more interesting cultural aspects that you would otherwise miss if you were to whiz by on a scooter!

In this guide, we’ll share with you the best guided bike tours, as well as self-guided tours.

Before we peddle into it, be sure to open up The Ultimate Guide to Mountain Biking in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands – the bible of biking in the Cook Islands.

Storytellers Eco Cycle & Walking Tours

Storytellers Eco Cycle Tours offers an exciting way to explore Rarotonga on two wheels. Their cycling tours begin with a briefing, allowing guests to choose their preferred focus: food, history, art and culture, or a bit of everything. With bikes available for all ages, there’s no excuse not to join in on the fun!

Pedal past charming villages, learn about the island’s rich history along the ancient Ara Metua coral road, and enjoy tastings of local fruits discovered en route. The “Discover” tour is designed for beginner cyclists, while the “Explore” tour is ideal for more experienced riders. Both tours conclude with a delicious local lunch.

For those who prefer to explore on foot, Storytellers also offers the “Afternoon Stroll” walking tour, providing a leisurely perspective on the island’s beauty and culture.

Location: Transfers are included in this tour, and morning departure times are organised with the operator.

5 Best Bike Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands 🚴‍♀️ [2025]

Self-Guided Bike Tour of Rarotonga

Now that we’ve exhausted the offering of guided bike tours in the Cook Islands, how about some of the self-guided options? The roads of Rarotonga are not very complicated to navigate, mainly consisting of the outer main road and the original inland main road.

The inland road, Ara Metua, in particular, is amazing to explore by bike, thanks to its low traffic volume and interesting landscapes and historical sites to explore.

We recommend exploring the inland roads of Arorangi and Matavera, as detailed in the 5 Best Bike Trails in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands. Plus, find out where to rent a bike in Cycle Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Where to Rent Bikes & E-Bikes.

The Best Bike Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Self-Guided Bike Tour of the Outer Islands

Rarotonga might steal all the limelight in the Cook Islands, but arguably, the outer islands are better to explore by bike due to their smaller size. Aitutaki has some interesting bush roads to the southern end of the main island, while the accommodations on Atiu and Mauke offer bike hire to explore the gorgeous secluded beaches and hidden cave pools that the islands have to offer.

We also list some awesome bike trails for these islands in the 5 Best Bike Trails in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands. Plus, find out where to rent a bike in Cycle Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Where to Rent Bikes & E-Bikes.

5 Best Bike Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands ????‍♀️ [2023]

More About Bike Tours in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

That’s it for the top bike tours in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, but if you want more fun on two wheels, check out the following articles:

Finally, find more experiences beyond biking in the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List.

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

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as the Cook Islands. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Raro’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

About Laura About Our Team