9 Best Places to Surf in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Going by many names, this surf break on the leeward (west) side of Rarotonga is a curve in the reef that bends prevailing swell into both right and left-hand waves.

Waves are fast, hollow and powerful, breaking over a shallow coral reef. Due to its consistency, Socials can be one of the rare surf breaks in Rarotonga that gets crowded. Favourable winds include easterlies and southeasterlies.

Location: Off the shore of the Nikao Social Centre, Black Rock and the golf course, Nikao, northwest coast of Rarotonga.

A long-standing favourite surf spot on Rarotonga, Maitai Wreck is just in front of Trader Jacks in the Avarua Harbour. It's one of the best surf breaks in the Cook Islands for intermediates looking to hone their surf skills on coral reefs.

The surf is relatively inconsistent, but you will find more favourable conditions in summer with swells from the north and tradewinds from the south. Learn more about when to surf in The Best Time to Surf in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: In front of Trader Jacks, east end of Avarua, northern end of Rarotonga.

Some awesome right-handers can be found on the northeast coast of Rarotonga at Club Raro, better suited to bodyboarders than surfers due to the slab-type waves produced. The best conditions are at high tide with a small north swell.

Location: Off the coast of the Club Raro Resort, Tupapa, northeast coast of Rarotonga.

This 50 m (54.7 yards)-wide passage on the south coast of Rarotonga creates more of Rarotonga's best surf breaks. Best at mid-to-high tide with northeasterly winds and southeast to south swell, Rutaki Passage is an awesome left-hander surf break which is often hollow.

The waves on the passage are ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers alike.

Location: Ruataki, southwest coast of Rarotonga.

Determined tube riders will definitely want to keep an eye out for moderate southwest swells and summer northeasterly winds for the thick and ferocious right-handers of the Avaavaroa Passage. The break is best at mid-to-high tide and is a favourite spot for guided surf tours with Go Local Cook Islands and Rainbow Villas.

Avaavaaroa Passage is also a hotspot for turtle swimming tours.

Location: Vaimaanga, opposite the blue YWAM building, south coast of Rarotonga.

On one of those rare days when the winds aren't chopping the waves to pieces on the east coast of Rarotonga, Norrie Park, also known as Matavera Point, holds a decent right-hander at high tide.

Location: Off Norrie Park (opposite Takitumu Tua II Primary School), Matavera, east coast of Rarotonga.

Right in front of the Edgewater Resort & Spa, the aptly named Edgewater is a consistent wave that breaks with easterly winds but becomes saturated when the swell exceeds 2 m (2.2 yards). It can be a right-hander or left-hander wave, depending on the season.

Location: In front of the Edgewater Resort & Spa, Arorangi, west coast of Rarotonga.

A passage at the northern end of Muri Beach, Avana Passage short waves that break off the tip of Motutapu. A little patience is needed to enjoy these waves, not only because the surf break is on the windward side of Rarotonga but because waves need to be selected.

With the surf being unreliable and not all that challenging, yet still too dangerous for beginners due to the shallow reef the wave breaks over, Avana Passage can definitely be put at the bottom of the priority list.

Location: Between Avana Point and Motutapu, north of Muri, east coast of Rarotonga.

Last of all, mainly because it is the surf spot in the Cook Islands that you're never going to get to, Takutea is an uninhabited island with two epic surf breaks off its coast. Only a handful of surf expeditions have made it to its one break off the west corner and the other break over the shelving reef, projecting 200 m (218.7 yards) off the southeast corner of the island.

It has been noted (by a pilot of the local airline that is also a keen surfer) that the best conditions are when storm waves come from the east-southeast and a northwest trade wind blows. This creates waves where 400 m (437.4 yards) rides are possible for the expert surfer.

Location: Takutea. Find out more about the ways to get to this island in The Complete Travel Guide to Takutea.