12 Most Relaxing Things to Do in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Let's begin with one of the most relaxing things to do in Rarotonga and Aitutaki; indulging in a soothing spa treatment. From traditional Polynesian methods to familiar international massage techniques, there is a wide range of spa and massage services across the resorts of Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

While there are far too many to list here, you'll find all you need in the 10 Best Places to Get a Massage in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: Rarotonga and Aitutaki. See spa locations in the link above.

KiteSUP offers a unique stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) yoga experience on the waters of Rarotonga, run in partnership with Pilates Cook Islands. Sessions are currently held on Wednesdays, using KiteSUP's own paddle boards, and provide a serene floating experience out on the water.

If you prefer to stay on dry land, Pilates Cook Islands also runs classes above the KiteSUP shop in Panama.

It's worth noting that availability depends on the instructor, Bryn, so the schedule can be inconsistent. We'd recommend checking in with the team before you plan your day around it.

The setting alone of this organic tropical oasis is enough to earn its spot on this list of relaxing things to do in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.

There are three ways to enjoy the Maire Nui Gardens: a self-guided visit, dining at the café, and/or a guided garden tour.

Over the course of an hour, the guided tour takes you past lily ponds, footbridges, native and introduced plant species, local fruit trees and food gardens, all on easy, mostly flat terrain. As you go, your guide shares the living history of this remarkable piece of land, title land passed down through generations from the ariki (chief) to her daughter, and now lovingly maintained by the mother who owns and runs the gardens today.

You'll taste fresh herbs, medicinal plants and seasonal fruits along the way, and see the composting systems that keep the whole property running without a single spray, chemical or pesticide.

The tour finishes at the Maire Nui Gardens Café, where a fresh organic tea is included. If you're in no hurry (and why would you be?), stay on for lunch: the menu features the "Tropical Salad", "Garden Tacos" and the legendary "Famous Lemon Meringue Cheesecake".

Self-guided visits are also available for a small entry fee, open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Sunday. Note that the cafe is only open on weekdays.

Focus your scent on something soothing while enjoying a pretty relaxed and intimate experience with Sylvie at Manongi Aromatics' "Aromatic Blending Workshop".

You'll start by exploring a wide array of scents, from resins and woody notes to florals and fruits, before Sylvie guides you through how to smell and pair them into something entirely your own. Using a worksheet to work out quantities and percentages, you'll measure your blend with a pipette, name it and hand-write your own label. Cookies and lemongrass tea are served throughout, which is a nice touch.

By the end of the two-hour session, every guest leaves with a diffuser blend and a roll-on personal fragrance. Scents are island-inspired, drawing on ingredients like guava seed oil, hibiscus seed oil, moringa and Rarotongan botanicals, with all essential oils sourced organically from small producers. Sylvie also offers science-based therapeutic blends for those with specific needs.

With gorgeous sandy shores and clear turquoise waters, Rarotonga and Aitutaki certainly set an endearing scene for wellness and yoga retreats. That's why you'll find several retreats taking place between the two islands several times a year with daily yoga and meditation sessions, revitalising meals and other island activities included.

Learn all about the Cook Islands' retreats in The Guide to Retreats in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Yoga, Wellness & More.

Location: Rarotonga and Aitutaki. See retreat locations in the link above.

The only sulphur pool in the Cook Islands, Vai Marere, is known among the locals of Mitiaro for its healing minerals. Bathe in the healing waters yourself after a 10-minute walk from the island's main village, Mangarei.

It looks small from the roadside, but as you go down the concrete stairs, the cave opens up into a relatively large cavern with stalactites hanging from the ceiling.

There are many more relaxing experiences to be found on this lesser-visited atoll of the Cook Islands, so discover more about this destination for yourself in the 15 Best Things to Do on Mitiaro. You'll also find other islands with cave pools listed in the 10 Best Caves in the Cook Islands.

Location: Just off the cross-island road, approximately 200 m (219 yards), a 10-minute walk from Mangarei, east side of Mitiaro.

Whether you're religious or not, there's no denying that the melodic harmonies reverberating through the islands' churches on a Sunday are a relaxing and spiritual experience. On a Sunday morning, don your most church-appropriate attire (cover knees and shoulders) and head to one of the churches across the Cook Islands, typically with a 10am service.

For recommendations on which churches to go to, check out the 10 Best Churches in the Cook Islands to Experience as a Visitor.

Location: All of the islands of the Cook Islands. Check out the link above for recommended locations.

If you’re on a romantic getaway, a break with friends or some solo R&R time, the last thing you want is to be surrounded by screaming children. The best way to avoid that is by staying at one of the Cook Islands' many adult resorts!

Adults-only resorts are designed with relaxation in mind, usually complete with spas, swimming pools, beachside lounging areas and more activities to help you chill. Discover some of the best in the 20 Best Adults-Only Resorts in the Cook Islands.

Location: Rarotonga and Aitutaki. See the link above for locations.

Kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding doesn’t have to be an activity where you overexert yourself. In fact, you often achieve the complete opposite while you’re silently gliding over a sheltered lagoon in Rarotonga or Aitutaki.

Many of the islands' resorts offer complimentary use of kayaks and/or stand-up paddleboards for guests to explore the waters independently, where you can watch fish and coral through the crystal clear waters. We definitely consider this a relaxing thing to do in the Cook Islands!

Location: Check out 5 Best Kayak Hires in the Cook Islands and 5 Best Places for Stand-Up Paddleboarding for mentions of resorts with kayaks and paddleboards.

When you’re not watching the fish from your kayak, it will probably be when you’re snorkelling. Again, because of the sheltered lagoons found off the Cook Islands' shores, snorkelling is usually a case of casually floating on the water’s surface and watching the life of colourful fish and shapely coral doing their thing below you.

Getting in the water also provides welcome relief from the warm Cook Islands sun, offering yet another way to relax in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands!

Location: The best snorkelling can be found off Rarotonga and Aitutaki at locations listed in The Best Snorkelling in the Cook Islands: Top 10 Places to Snorkel.

Another way to enjoy the lagoon in a relaxing manner, specifically in Aitutaki, is sailing. Sailing Aitutaki offers private lagoon excursions on their 17 ft (18.6 yards) Hobie catamaran. The easy-going three-hour tour takes you to a motu (island), allows you to try sailing for yourself, stops for snorkelling, and includes light refreshments.

See more experiences on the lagoon listed in the 20 Best Things to Do on Aitutaki.

Location: Aitutaki. Tours depart from Ootu Beach, but transfers are included.

It’s simple, but there’s a reason why almost all beach accommodations in the Cook Islands have at least one hammock set up. Get cocooned between two coconut palms and enjoy listening to the waves rolling onto the reef while feeling the balmy island breeze run over you.

Location: Anywhere in the Cook Islands!