10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Last Updated: 9 June, 2025

The Guide to Cruising and Boating in the Cook Islands

Between the tranquil lagoons with crystal clear water and the open water beyond that attracts whales and fishing fanatics, there are plenty of reasons to get out on the water in the Cook Islands. Both the atolls of Rarotonga and Aitutaki have their fair share of boat trips.

Discover some of our top picks in this list of the best boat and sailing tours in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands!

1. Tavai Inventure Tours

Experience the beauty of Aitutaki’s lagoon on a private sailing charter with Tavai Inventure Tours. This eco-friendly adventure, led by the renowned Captain Ted, offers a unique way to explore the stunning lagoon and its enchanting motus.

You’ll visit smaller islands, including the famous One Foot Island, with ample opportunities for snorkelling and discovering the underwater world. The six-hour journey includes a delicious lunch, fresh local fruit, water, and refreshing coconuts.

As the only tour operator in Aitutaki offering lagoon sailing with no ecological footprint, this tour is perfect for environmentally conscious travellers. The experience is weather-dependent to ensure your safety and enjoyment.

See more eco-friendly tour options in the 10 Best Eco Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: Pick-up from accommodation, Aitutaki. Tours depart at 9:30 am and return at 3:30 pm.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands ⛵ [2025]

2. Raro Reef Sub

Raro Reef Sub offers one of Rarotonga’s most unique boat tours, taking you to the deep outer reef to observe marine life through the boat’s underwater observatory. You’ll have the chance to spot large pelagic fish, turtles, sharks and even whales during the 1 hr 30 mins journey.

The semi-submersible vessel cruises around the RMS Maitai shipwreck and hard-to-reach locations. Tours run from Sunday to Friday, with multiple daily departures (weather permitting) between April and December/January.

As a bonus, a portion of your trip fee supports local conservation efforts! This is also a spectacular option with kids, as listed in the 40 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands with Kids.

Location: Avatiu Harbour, Avarua, northern side of Rarotonga.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands ⛵ [2023]

3. Koka Lagoon Cruises

Embark on an unforgettable four-hour adventure with Koka Lagoon Cruises on the stunning Muri Lagoon. This glass-bottom boat tour offers a unique perspective of Rarotonga’s marine life, followed by guided snorkelling at the Tikioki Marine Reserve. Here, you’ll swim among giant clams and colourful tropical fish.

The cruise continues to the uninhabited island of Koromiri, where you’ll indulge in a delicious BBQ feast. The fun doesn’t stop there – enjoy a coconut demonstration, learn the art of pareu tying, and be entertained by the onboard string band.

The passionate and talented crew add an extra layer of enjoyment to this already fantastic experience. It’s perfect for families too, with children five and under cruising for free.

See how the cruise compares to the 10 Best Lagoon Cruises in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: Muri Beach, eastern side of Rarotonga.

4. Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes

Almost identical to Koka Lagoon Cruises, Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes also offers a fun-filled half-day on the waters of the Muri Lagoon daily. The main differences are that the cruise departs a little later (11 am instead of 10 am for Koka) and the crew are a little more “cheeky”, which might not click with everyone’s humour.

Nevertheless (or more, depending on how you look at it), the tour still includes an awesome time snorkelling, indulging in an island barbecue on the island of Koromiri, and watching a fun coconut and sarong demonstration.

Location: Muri Beach, Muri, east coast of Rarotonga. Just look for the yellow boats!

5. Teking Lagoon Cruises

If you were looking for a lagoon cruise in Aitutaki, Teking Lagoon Cruises is a popular option for their small-group tours. Their “Snorkelling Safari Tour” is the most popular tour they offer, visiting four of the lagoon’s motu and three vibrant snorkelling spots where the focus on ecology and conservation allows you to get more out of the experience.

Private charters and two-hour sunset tours with Champagne are also available. Learn more about the latter in The Best Sunset Cruises in the Cook Islands.

Location: Ootu Beach, Aitutaki, transfers are included.

6. Wet & Wild

Wet & Wild are the kings of watersports on the Aitutaki Lagoon, and even outside of the lagoon with whale watching/swimming tours and deep sea fishing tours available. Choose your flavour: deep sea fishing, casting, jigging, spearfishing, kitesurfing or exploring the lagoon.

All lagoon tours are private, with your choice of sightseeing, snorkelling, island-hopping and the unique options to try wakeboarding or inflatable tube rides off the back of the boat. Let the team know what you want to do, and they’ll likely have the gear to give you an awesome experience on the water.

Location: Aitutaki. Most tours include transfers. Tour departures vary depending on the activity.

7. Kutekute Tours & Transfers

One of the best private boat tours in Aitutaki, Kutekute Tours & Transfers specialises in sunset lagoon tours. Be transported to a mix of exciting snorkelling spots with the optional extras of twilight snorkelling and a unique water hammock float.

You’ll then enjoy a stunningly presented beach picnic platter on the uninhabited Moturakau as you watch the sunset. The tour is the only tour to return to the mainland after dark, allowing you to stargaze on the journey back to Ootu Beach.

See more experiences like this in the 20 Most Romantic Things to Do in the Cook Islands for Couples.

Location: Ootu Beach, Aitutaki, transfers are included.

8. The Vaka Cruise

Cruise the Aitutaki Lagoon on a Polynesian-inspired double-hulled vessel as part of The Vaka Cruise. The six-hour cruise offers plenty of snorkelling time with giant trevally, giant clams and all sorts of tropical fish.

You’ll also set foot on One Foot Island and enjoy an island-style lunch on the boat. A ukulele band keep you entertained throughout the whole trip!

Compare the cruise with others on the lagoon in the 10 Best Lagoon Cruises on Aitutaki.

Location: Ootu Beach, Aitutaki, transfers are included.

9. Bishop’s Cruises

Bishop’s Cruises offers the largest boat tour in Aitutaki and the Cook Islands, with options to suit different group sizes. Their 16-passenger boat comes equipped with a minibar, while the 45-passenger catamaran features a minibar, changing area, and toilets.

What sets them apart are their mature and knowledgeable guides, who provide insightful commentary about the Aitutaki Lagoon, making it an excellent choice for those seeking an educational experience. Enjoy a six-hour adventure on the crystal-clear waters, including stops for snorkelling, relaxing on heavenly sandbanks, and a visit to the iconic One Foot Island.

Indulge in a barbecue lunch under the shade of the company’s hut, then spend the afternoon exploring the island at your leisure. It’s a perfect mix of relaxation, learning and island exploration.

Location: Ootu Beach, Aitutaki, transfers are included.

10. Rongohiva

For some high-speed thrills that are suitable for adrenaline junkies of all ages, Rongohiva Watersports offers an exciting speed boat and banana boat tour in Rarotonga. The experience has you blasting across the waters outside of the lagoon for one hour and 30 minutes of pure adrenaline fun!

They also offer whale watching boat tours in the season, which you can learn more about in the 5 Best Whale Watching (& Swimming) Tours in the Cook Islands.

Location: Avatiu Harbour, Avarua, northern side of Rarotonga.

More About Boat and Sailing Tours in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Now that you know some of the best boat tours in Rarotonga, as well as the top sailing tours across the Cook Islands, check out these alternative ways to get out on the water:

Finally, complete your bucket list with the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List and plan the rest of your holiday logistics using The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide.

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.

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