15 Things to Do on Rarotonga on a Rainy Day ☂️ 2025

Last Updated: 14 June, 2025

What is There to Do in Raro in the Rain?

It’s a tropical island, so of course, rain is often a part of your experience on Rarotonga. Whether it’s just a passing shower – as is the case most of the time – or you’ve got a day of it, these things to do on Rarotonga on a rainy day will make sure that you still have an epic time in paradise.

Does it Rain All Day on Rarotonga?

Not usually. Being a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it doesn’t tend to rain all day on Rarotonga. Rain usually comes in short but heavy bursts. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Find out more about the weather patterns on this tropical island in the Rarotonga Weather, Seasons & Climate + Weather by Month.

When is the Rainy Season in Rarotonga?

The rainy season in Rarotonga runs from December to March.

1. Check Out the Te Ara Museum

Te Ara Museum offers an engaging and affordable all-weather activity that’s perfect for a rainy day in Rarotonga. Immerse yourself in grand exhibitions tracing the journey of early Polynesian navigators, European influence, and the Cook Islands’ present and future.

Don’t miss the guided culture tours available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 am or 11 am, led by a fabulous local guide who will bring the exhibits to life. After exploring, relax with light refreshments at the café and browse their selection of 100% locally made gifts at the shop.

Plus, with free WiFi available, you can share your experience instantly! The museum is open seven days a week from 9 am (10 am on weekends) until 4 pm.

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

15 Things to Do on Rarotonga on a Rainy Day ☂️

2. See Wildlife, Learn About Marine History and More at the Discover Marine Wildlife & Eco Centre

A fascinating rainy-day attraction for nature lovers and families, the Discover Marine Wildlife & Eco Centre packs a wealth of interesting displays into its compact space. From rehabilitated seabirds to intriguing coconut crabs, the centre offers close encounters with local wildlife.

Discover the maritime history of the Cook Islands through whaling and shipwreck artefacts, and learn about the formation of the archipelago. After exploring, treat yourself to a sweet treat at the new Lickity Splitz Ice Cream Parlour.

The centre is open Monday to Friday: 9:30 am to 4 pm, and on Saturdays: 10:30 am to 4 pm. Discover more experiences like this in the 30 Things to Do on Rarotonga with Kids.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi (west side of Rarotonga).

3. Make it a Spa Day

You’ll forget all about the rain while you’re immersing yourself in a therapeutic massage or another island spa treatment. A selection of resorts on Rarotonga specialises in spa treatments, from the Vichy Showers of the Waterfall Spa at Rumours Luxury Villas to the indulgent array of couples’ treatments at Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa.

There are far too many options to list here, so take a look at the 10 Best Spas in Rarotonga and the 10 Best Spa Resorts in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands to find your perfect place to unwind.

Location: Refer to the spa locations listed in the link above.

4. Tour the Rarotonga Brewery

Brewed right here on Rarotonga, Cook Islands Lager is the signature brew of the Rarotonga Brewery. Just across the road from the Edgewater Resort, the brewery is open Monday through Saturday for free beer tastings and Monday through Friday for brewery tours.

Enjoy a casual affair with a local brewer showing you how they make the good stuff, as well as the brews they’re currently working on. See more activities like this in the 11 Best Foodie Experiences on Rarotonga.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi (west side of Rarotonga).

5. Get Muddy on the Raro Buggy or Quad Tour

Better when it’s wetter, Raro Buggy Tours and Raro Quad Tours offer opportunities to let loose on an off-roading vehicle, get muddy, and explore the inland tracks of Rarotonga.

The 1 hour and 3o mins to 2 hour buggy tour or 2 hours and 30 mins to 3 hours quad tour starts with a slow-paced yet interesting history tour as you get acquainted with the vehicle. Then you’ll head inland to plantations and dirt tracks, including a stop at the Papua Waterfall (Wigmore’s Waterfall).

Find out more about the excursion in The Best Off-Road Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

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

6. Get Some Retail Therapy

Many are surprised to discover that such a small island in the South Pacific offers numerous shopping opportunities. That’s mainly because Rarotonga and the Cook Islands specialise in many unique crafts, with a highlight being black pearls, which are only farmed in two countries in the South Pacific.

Woven fans, earrings, and locally crafted perfumes are also highlights on the shopping list. So pick out some stores from The Guide to Shopping in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands + The Best Places to Shop and use a rainy day on Rarotonga to visit them all!

Location: See shop recommendations and locations in the link above.

7. Pray the Rain Away at Sunday Church

Obviously, this is a rainy day activity on Rarotonga that you can only enjoy on a Sunday. Nevertheless, if this applies to you, the powerful harmonies echoing across the churches on a Sunday are an experience not to be missed!

Dress in your most church-appropriate attire (covering knees and shoulders) and head to one of the churches across Rarotonga, which typically holds a 10 am service. The Avarua CICC Church is highly recommended for a traditional experience.

Alternatively, enjoy something more contemporary and upbeat at the Celebration Church in Avarua. For more recommendations, check out the 10 Best Churches in the Cook Islands to Experience as a Visitor.

Location: See the link above for locations.

8. Get an Island-Style Shirt Made at Tuki’s Pareu

The big blue store of Tuki’s Pareu is a good go-to for island-style attire. A rainy day, however, is the perfect time to finally get that island shirt made! That’s right, Tuki’s offers tailoring services where their experienced designers and seamstresses can create a perfectly fitted, flamboyant shirt that will make you look the part for all your South Pacific holidays.

They are open from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, and until 12 pm on Saturday.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Avarua, the blue buildings at the eastern end just past Trader Jacks.

9. Do Some Rainy Day Snorkelling

No one is above a rainy day snorkel! Since you’re going to get wet anyway, why not head out with your snorkelling gear and meet the fish?

Free snorkelling sites include the “Fruits of Rarotonga” site at the Tikioki Marine Reserve and the Aroa Marine Reserve at Aroa Beach.

Needless to say, if the rain is accompanied by stormy seas, it’s best to avoid snorkelling.

Check out all of the snorkelling spots in The Best Snorkelling in Rarotonga: Top 10 Places to Snorkel or join one of the guided tours listed in the 5 Best Snorkelling Tours in Rarotonga.

Location: See the links above for locations.

10. Check Out the Artefacts at the Cook Islands National Museum

Another museum you can rely on for a break from the rain, the Cook Islands National Museum holds an interesting display of historical and cultural artefacts and replicas. Browse carvings, seafaring vaka replicas, and traditional tivaevae linens, and learn more about their significance through the informational text on the walls.

The museum is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm and has a small admission fee. There are more indoor attractions in Avarua, so check them out in the 10 Best Things to Do in Avarua.

Location: Sir Geoffrey Henry National Culture Centre, Corner of Constitution Avenue and Victoria Road, Avarua (north side of Rarotonga).

11. Inspire Yourself at the Art Galleries

The Cook Islands Māori culture and marine environment are the main inspiration for art across Rarotonga. This makes for some breathtaking pieces to admire at the galleries of the island’s talented artists. Pop into the Te Toki Tupuna Gallery, Bergman Gallery, Two Mamas Gallery and more while exploring the island.

The Coco Brush Paint & Wine Experience offers a delightful two-hour painting session that’s perfect for unleashing your creativity, rain or shine. Expert instructors provide guidance and all the materials you need, so you can focus on enjoying the artistic process.

See what makes each gallery worth visiting in the 5 Best Art Galleries in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: For the painting workshop, meet outside Charlie’s Cafe, Titikaveka, southeast coast of Rarotonga. See the link above for more art galleries and their locations.

12. Stop By the Cook Islands Library & Museum

Yes, this is a different museum in Avarua, but it’s not too far away from the one previously mentioned. Set on park grounds surrounded by some of Avarua’s oldest buildings, the Cook Islands Library & Museum displays interesting ceremonial artefacts, cooking utensils, shells and weapons.

Outside are the museum’s maritime displays, such as a vaka and an anchor. Their library also holds a collection of rare books. The museum is open from 9 am to 1 pm, Monday to Friday.

Discover how the museum ranks among the best in the 5 Best Museums in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: Makea Tinirau Road, the eastern end of Avarua (north side of Rarotonga).

13. Check Out Wigmore’s Waterfall

If there’s a time to visit the Papua Waterfall, also known as Wigmore’s Waterfall, it’s when it’s raining! The falls are at their best under heavy rain when the river level is high. Find the waterfall in the forest in a clearing with picnic tables, just in case, you know, the weather clears up and you want to stick around for even longer.

While swimming is usually popular in the bottom pool, it’s not recommended to swim if the water level is too high or to climb the sides where rocks have been known to fall. What you can do, however, is take some insect repellent with you. See more natural attractions like this in the Sightseeing in Rarotonga: Top 10 Sights in Rarotonga.

Location: End of Papua Road, Vaimaanga. Note that the dirt road all the way to the waterfall is in bad condition – suitable for 4WD or SUVs only. If you’re unsure, park at the SPCA car park and walk from there (6 mins walk). You may be asked for an entry fee (around NZ$2 for scooters and NZ$5 for cars/trucks).

14. Treat Yourself at Rarotonga’s Eateries

While a pretty obvious thing to do, it can’t be denied that huddling under the shelter of a restaurant while gorging on island cuisine isn’t a bad way to spend a rainy day.

Whatever your vibe and budget, Raro has the cafes and restaurants to suit you. The list is too extensive to go through here, but you can check out recommendations in The Food Guide to Rarotonga: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

Location: See the links above for locations.

15. Watch a DVD, Old-Skool Style!

That’s right, DVD rental stores are still a thing on Rarotonga and a rainy day saviour! Look out for the DVD rental shop signs on the main road in both Nikao and Vaimaanga (open from 5 pm – 8 pm, Monday to Saturday).

Oh, and you’ll want to make sure your accommodation has a DVD player first – many of them do. Alternatively, accommodations like Rendezvous Villas and Magic Reef Beachfront Bungalows have movie hard drives for guests, while Muri Beachcomber has a selection of DVDs in their lounge.

Location: Nikao Cottages and Nikao Beach Video – Main Road (Ara Tapu), Nikao. DVD Shop – Main Road (Ara Tapu), Vaimaanga.

More Things to Do on Rarotonga on a Rainy Day

That’s it for our list of things to do on Rarotonga on a rainy day, including indoor and all-weather activities. If that didn’t quite inspire you, then you might have more luck with these lists:

Finally, plan the rest of your Rarotonga getaway using The Complete Travel Guide to Rarotonga and 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List.

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])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - 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

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

About Robin About Our Team