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?
1. Check Out the Te Ara Museum
Let’s start these things to do on Rarotonga on a rainy day with one of the many museums we’ll feature on this list; Te Ara Museum makes for an affordable all-weather activity that will only take an hour or so. See grand exhibitions about the early Polynesian navigators who made it to Rarotonga and trace back their journey across the world, learn about European influence, as well as see displays on the present and future of the Cook Islands. You can stick around for light refreshments at the cafe and browse the 100% locally made gifts at the shop. 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).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com2. See Wildlife, Learn About Marine History and More at the Discover Marine Wildlife & Eco Centre
A great place to stop for an extended lunch thanks to the cafe and ice cream parlour on-site, the Discover Marine Wildlife & Eco Centre is a rainy-day must-do for nature lovers and families. The centre might be small but it’s packed with all sorts of interesting displays, from rehabilitated seabirds and coconut crabs to fascinating whaling and shipwreck artefacts. Browse the aquarium with its devilish stonefish and learn about how the Cook Islands were formed. See more experiences like this in the 30 Things to Do on Rarotonga with Kids.
Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi (west side of Rarotonga).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com3. 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: See spa locations in the link above.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com4. 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 to Saturday for free beer tastings and from Monday to 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).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com5. Get Muddy on the Raro Buggy or Quad Tour
Better when it’s wetter, Raro Buggy Tours and Raro Quad Tours are your opportunities to let loose on an off-roading vehicle, get muddy and explore the inland tracks of Rarotonga. The 1.5-2-hour buggy tour or 2.5-3-hour quad tour starts with a slow-paced yet interesting history tour of the old Sheraton Resort site 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).
© David Kirkland - Cook Islands Tourism6. Get Some Retail Therapy
Many are surprised to find that such a tiny island in the South Pacific offers so many shopping opportunities. That’s mainly because Rarotonga and the Cook Islands specialise in many unique crafts, with a highlight being black pearls – 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.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com7. 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 is an experience not to be missed! Don your most church-appropriate attire (cover knees and shoulders) and head to one of the churches across Rarotonga, typically with 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.
© DH - Cook Islands Tourism8. 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 whip up a perfectly fitted flamboyant shirt that will make you look the part for all of your South Pacific holidays. Find them open from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday and until 12 pm on Saturday.
Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Avarua, the blue buildings at the eastern end just past Trader Jacks.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com9. 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. Check out all of the snorkelling spots in The Best Snorkelling in Rarotonga: Top 7 Places to Snorkel or join one of the guided tours listed in the 6 Best Snorkelling Tours in Rarotonga.
Location: See the links above for locations.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com10. Check Out the Artefacts at the Cook Islands National Museum
Another museum you can rely on for a break from the rain, the Cooks Island National Museum holds an interesting display of historical and cultural artefacts and replicas. Browse carvings, seafaring vaka replicas and traditional tivaevae linen and learn more about their significance through the information 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).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com11. Inspire Yourself at the Art Galleries
The Cooks Island Maori 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 Bergman Gallery, Two Mamas Gallery, The Art Box and more while exploring the island. At The Little Red Gallery, you can even join one of their six-hour painting workshops to spend the whole day out of the rain! See what makes each gallery worth visiting in the 5 Best Art Galleries in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
Location: See the link above for locations.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com12. Stop By the Pa Ariki’s Takitumu Palace Museum
Dive into the culture of the Cook Islands’ royal heritage at Pa Ariki’s Takitumu Palace Museum, the only palace on Rarotonga that is open to the public! The palace is that of the 48th Queen Pa Ariki whose line began in 1250 AD. The museum has various artefacts on display and traces back the history of the Cook Islands’ “ariki”. Guided tours of the museum are available at 10 am and 2 pm, while the museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. See how the museum compares to the rest in the 5 Best Museums in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Avana.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com13. 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 among 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 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. To drive up the road to the waterfall, you may be asked for a donation (around NZ$2 for bikes and NZ$5 for cars/trucks).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com14. 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 whatever your budget, Raro has the cafes and restaurants to suit. The list to 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.
© Derek Smith - Cook Islands Tourism15. 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. 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.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comMore 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:
- 20 Things to Do in the Cook Islands on a Rainy Day
- 50 Best Things to Do on Rarotonga
- Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather, Seasons & Climate + Weather by Month
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.
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