Scooter Hire on Rarotonga: Where to Rent, Cost & More

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Where to Rent a Scooter on Rarotonga

With scooters being such a popular mode of transport on Rarotonga, most vehicle rental companies include them in their fleet. All scooter rental companies also hire out or include helmets.

See what makes each company different (or pretty much the same, in some cases) in our scooter hire comparison below!

Polynesian Rental Cars & Bikes

Offering one of the most comprehensive fleets of scooters, bicycles and cars on Rarotonga, not to mention having a presence seemingly everywhere, Polynesian Rental Cars & Bikes is simply one of the most convenient scooter rentals on Rarotonga.

Hell, they even have a depot right next door to the Police Station where you need to take your test. So, as you can imagine, most visitors rent their scooters from there.

Pick-up and drop-off locations include: St Joseph Road Avarua, Aroa Beach, Edgewater Resort & Spa, Rarotonga International Airport, Titikaveka & Wash Bay, Mairie Nui Drive Avarua, and Muri Beach. One-way rentals are available. They also offer free pick-up and drop-off at accommodations.

Scooters (auto, petrol, two-seaters) with rates including unlimited kilometres, tax, and available include:

• Yamaha Mio 125cc scooter  insurance
• Yamaha Cygnus-ZR 125cc scooter

Drivers must be at least 18 years old to rent a scooter. There is an optional insurance package for scooters, available for NZ$5 per day, which reduces the excess to NZ$0, requiring only a NZ$50 security deposit. Helmet hire costs NZ$5 per day and is mandatory for all visitors riding motorcycles in Rarotonga.

Island Car & Bike Hire

Whether you’re looking for the cheapest scooter rental on the island or a motorcycle instead, Island Car & Bike Hire has the vehicle to suit! They also have a price match guarantee. Please note that they charge a small administration fee for online car bookings (under NZ$10).

Island Car & Bike Hire offers convenient pick-up and drop-off spots at Avarua (opposite Punanga Nui Market), Muri Beach (opposite Muri Beachcomber), and Arorangi (opposite Maniua Beach Resort). The Muri and Arorangi offices are open seven days a week, while the town office operates six days a week.

They offer free pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation. Bookings can be made easily by phone, email, or through their website. Airport transfers are available for a “small” fee.

Scooters available include:

• Suzuki AN 125cc scooter
• Suzuki GN 125cc motorcycle

Drivers must be at least 18 years old to rent a scooter. Third-party liability and collision damage waiver are included with an excess of NZ$2,500. The excess rate can be reduced to NZ$ 1,000 or NZ$0 by purchasing an excess reducer for around NZ$5 or NZ$19 per day.

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Pacific Cars

A small, locally owned company, Pacific Cars offers a range of vehicles that most travellers actually need for exploring Rarotonga, including scooters and e-bikes. The scooter rentals and insurance are transparent with no hidden costs while boasting competitive prices.

The only downside is that they only have one location (or the airport for a fee) and don’t offer free accommodation deliveries.

Pick-up and drop-off locations include: Muri (opposite the driveway to the Muri Beach Club Hotel). Airport pick-up and drop-off are available for a fee (around NZ$30).

The scooters available include a Honda Vision 125cc scooter.

The driver must be at least 21 years old to rent a scooter. Insurance is included in scooter rentals, covering third-party liability and collision damage waiver, with an excess of NZ$2,000. The excess rate can be reduced to NZ$500 by purchasing an excess reducer for around NZ$10 a day.

Rarotonga Rentals

Rarotonga Rentals offers scooter and motorcycle rentals as part of their fleet, and their depot, located opposite Rarotonga International Airport, means that they provide airport rentals at no extra cost. Please note that they charge a small administration fee for online car bookings (under NZ$10).

Pick-up and drop-off locations include: Rarotonga International Airport (located across the road) and Tapere (between Muri Beach and Titikaveka). Free airport pick-up and drop-off are available. They also offer a free pick-up and drop-off service at accommodations.

Scooters available include:

• Suzuki AN 125cc scooter
• Suzuki GN 125cc motorcycle

The driver must be at least 18 years old to rent a scooter. Insurance is included in scooter rentals, covering third-party liability and collision damage waiver with an excess of NZ$2,500. The excess rate can be reduced to NZ$1,000 or NZ$0 by purchasing an excess reducer for around NZ$ 5 or NZ$19 per day.

Adventure Cook Islands

Adventure Cook Islands offers a range of watersports equipment and scooter rentals on Rarotonga. Their scooter fleet includes both 125cc automatic and semi-automatic models, catering to various preferences. Daily rates start at NZ$25, with discounts for longer hires. All rentals come with helmets, and surfboard racks are available upon request.

For scooter bookings of five days or more, advance reservations are accepted. Otherwise, it’s first come, first served for shorter hires. Safety is a priority; they meticulously check tyre pressure before each rental.

Located on the main road (Ara Tapu) in Aroa, their shop is the central hub for all rentals. It’s conveniently situated about 100 m (109.4 yards) from The Rarotongan Beach Resort, making it easily accessible for tourists staying in the area.

Renters must be at least 18 years old, and basic insurance is included with an excess of NZ$650. (Remember to inquire about any additional coverage options available.)

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

The Cost of Renting a Scooter on Rarotonga

How much does scooter hire cost on Rarotonga? Of course, prices vary slightly from company to company, but below, we’ve listed the average prices for all of the expenses involved in hiring a scooter. Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change (especially fuel)!

• Scooter daily rate – NZ$24-$30
• Scooter daily rate (if renting for a week) – NZ$20-$24
• Helmet daily rental – NZ$0-$2
• Administration fee – NZ$0-$10
• Airport pick-up/drop-off – NZ$20-$50
• Fuel per litre – NZ$2.60-$3.30
• Scooter license – NZ$40

How Much is it to Hire a Scooter for a Day on Rarotonga?

Scooter rental for just one day on Rarotonga is approximately NZ$66-$92, based on one-day rental rates, helmet rental, administration fees, and the scooter license. Additionally, you may need to top up your fuel tank by around NZ$5-$7 if you plan to take just one loop (approximately 32 km/20 mi+) around Rarotonga.

Note that this does not include an airport delivery fee.

How Much is it to Hire a Scooter for Five Days on Rarotonga?

Scooter rental on Rarotonga costs approximately NZ$160–$198 for five days, at a rate of NZ$20–$24 per day, based on discounted daily rates for five days, including helmet rental, administration fees, scooter license, and the fact that you may need to top up your fuel tank by around NZ$15-$20 if taking three loops around Rarotonga.

Note that this does not include an airport delivery fee.

How Much is it to Hire a Scooter for a Week on Rarotonga?

Scooter rental on Rarotonga is approximately NZ$200–$238 for seven days at NZ$20–$24, based on discounted daily rates for seven days, helmet rental, administration fees, scooter license and the fact that you may have to top up your fuel tank by around NZ$20–$25 if taking the equivalent of five loops around Rarotonga.

Note that this does not include an airport delivery fee.

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

How to Ride a Scooter on Rarotonga

Scooters are so easy to ride, and that’s one of the reasons why they are a favoured method of getting around for visitors and locals alike. However, if you haven’t ridden a scooter before, let’s alleviate some of the unknown: how do you ride a scooter?

Your rental scooter will have a side stand or a centre stand to prevent the bike from toppling over. Hold onto the handlebars, relieve the pressure from the side stand and kick the side stand up. If it’s on a centre stand, sit on the bike and roll it forward until it’s off the stand.

Get to grips with where the controls are. You should have the indicators within reach of one thumb: flick left to indicate left, right to indicate right and press to stop the indicators. Within reach of your other thumb, you should have a button or switch for your hazard lights.

Behind the handlebars are your brakes, just like a pushbike, to pull in order to slow down. One of your handlebars will twist, which is your throttle and gets your scooter moving!

Your scooter rental company will show you how to start the engine, depending on the model you have. Usually, it’s just a key-in-and-twist sort of job. They will also show you how to refuel your scooter – if they don’t, just ask if you’re unsure! You can find the gas stations listed in Information, Shops & Services on Rarotonga.

And it’s that simple!

The Road Rules of Rarotonga

It’s all well and good knowing how to ride a scooter, but you will also need to know the basic road rules of Rarotonga in order to keep yourself and others safe. The main rules you need to know are:

• Drive on the left side of the road.
• The maximum speed limit in Avarua and Muri is 30 kph (18.6 mph).
• The maximum speed limit in villages and most of Aitutaki is 40 kph (24.9 mph).
• The maximum speed limit outside of populated areas is 50 kph (31.1 mph).
• At roundabouts, give way to vehicles approaching from the right.
• Give way (yield) to oncoming traffic.
• Wear a helmet.
• Only two people are permitted on a motorcycle/scooter, seated astride, not sideways. Pillion passengers must sit behind the driver.

Check out more road rules in How to Drive in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands + 10 Road Rules. We also give some tips specific to scooter riders in the 10 Tips for Riding a Scooter in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.