6 Best Off-Road Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

One of two self-drive off-roading tours in the Cook Islands, Raro Buggy Tours allows you to let loose on the inland tracks of Rarotonga! The 1 hr 30 mins to 2-hour tour in a 4WD buggy (with a passenger seat if one of you doesn't want to drive) starts with getting accustomed to the vehicle before heading inland to plantations and dirt tracks.

A highlight is rampaging around the muddy inland tracks in the midst of the local tropical forests. You will get muddy on this tour, so bring appropriate clothing, a towel and your driver's licence.

Tours depart at 8:30 am, 11:30 am and 2:30 pm from Monday to Wednesday and Friday. On Thursday and Saturday, tours run at 8:30 am and 11:30 am only (the tour is closed on Sunday). The minimum passenger age is four years old.

Location: Departure is from Wigmore's Superstore, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Takitumu (south end of Rarotonga). Arrive 30 mins prior to departure time.

Yes, you guessed it, Raro Quad Tours is the same company as the tour mentioned above but it offers a slightly different experience. This time, you're on a quad bike to explore the inland tracks of Rarotonga.

You'll get off the beaten track on this two to two and a half hour adventure, riding through beautiful deep valleys and tropical forests on automatic four-wheel quad bikes with your experienced tour guide leading the way.

You can choose between a single or double quad bike (with a combined weight limit of 130 kg). Tours depart twice daily at 8:30 am and 12:30 pm, Monday to Saturday.

Plus, you also need a driving licence. The minimum passenger age is seven years old. Check out more exciting experiences in the 50 Best Things to Do on Rarotonga.

Location: Departure is from Wigmore's Superstore, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Takitumu (south end of Rarotonga). You must arrive 30 mins prior to departure time.

Embark on a thrilling three-hour adventure with Raro Safari Tours, operating Monday to Friday. Hop into a characterful safari Jeep and traverse Rarotonga's coastal, back, and dirt roads. This unique expedition blends history and culture as you explore the island's hidden gems and historical sites. The highlight? Racing up dirt tracks to a spectacular viewpoint of Te Rua Manga, a.k.a. The Needle.

You'll also visit Papua Waterfall (Wigmore's Waterfall) and enjoy plenty of humour along the way. It's a fantastic opportunity to discover the island's lesser-known treasures. For more exciting excursions, check out the 10 Best Tours of Rarotonga.

Location: Rarotonga. Pick-ups are included!

The lesser-known off-roading tour from the Raro Quad/Buggy Tours, Raro Trail Tours offers a unique perspective of Rarotonga's interior from a dirt bike!

If you've got an international motorcycle license and you're over the age of 18, then you're good to go on this wild adventure through the deep valleys and tropical forests. The 2-2h30mins experience includes all the safety gear and lunch.

Location: Departure is from Wigmore’s Superstore, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Takitumu (south end of Rarotonga).

TVK Watersports offers an exhilarating way to explore Rarotonga's stunning coastline. Their jet ski tours are the most popular activity, allowing you to go "off-roading" on the water. Choose from two guided options: a one-hour tour covering half the island or a full island tour lasting 2 to 2 hrs 30 mins.

Led by Marama, a professional guide with a background in surf rescue, tours are designed to be flexible and can include snorkelling and spearfishing on request. You're encouraged to go at your own pace, creating a more independent, explorer-style experience.

The minimum age to drive is 16 with a restricted licence, while passengers must be over eight. Two people can share one jet ski for the same price, with a maximum of four jet skis per tour. It's recommended to book early, as rescheduling happens often due to changing water conditions.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Muri, east coast of Rarotonga.

While this isn't technically "off-roading", the roads on the island of Mangaia are so gnarly that any island tour sure feels like it! Tours on Mangaia run a little differently from the more tourist hotspots in the Cook Islands, as they are much less formal; typically just an enthusiastic local showing you the sights that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to get to, such as caves, shipwrecks and ancient marae (Māori gathering places).

Tours typically last two to four hours and include transfers. Find out more about organising tours on Managia in the 15 Best Things to Do on Mangaia.

Location: Mangaia. Pick-ups are included!