10 Things to Do in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands on a Sunday

Do what you can only do on a Sunday; experience the powerful harmonies echoing across the churches of the Cook Islands on a Sunday! Don your most church-appropriate attire (cover knees and shoulders) and head to one of the churches in Rarotonga, Aitutaki and beyond.

Services typically start at 10 am. All the churches are very welcoming to visitors, so be sure to check out some of the ones we recommend in our list of the 10 Best Churches in the Cook Islands to Experience as a Visitor.

Location: See the link above for locations.

We were surprised too, but this museum on Rarotonga is, indeed, open on a Sunday, making it an excellent rainy day activity. Te Ara Museum features grand exhibitions about the early Polynesian navigators who made it to the Cook Islands and traces back their journey across the world.

You will also learn about European influence, as well as see displays on the present and future of the Cook Islands. Stick around for light refreshments at the cafe and browse the 100% locally made gifts at the shop.

The museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays. Check out more museums to visit throughout the week in the 5 Best Museums in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

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

Feast on delicious local fare at the Muri Night Market on Rarotonga, where food trucks gather from 5 pm on Sundays. Don't forget to bring cash, as stalls are cash-only!

For alternative Sunday lunch options, try Rima's Bakery Takeaway. On Aitutaki and the other pa enua, resorts and local hosts ensure you're well-fed.

Location: Muri Night Market - Muri town centre, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Rarotonga. Rima's Bakery Takeaway - Muri town centre, Main Road (Ara Tapu) near the Te Ara Museum, Rarotonga.

Sunday is a good day to start hitting those dots on the map, such as historical sites and glorious beaches. There are plenty of free sites to visit across the islands of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro and beyond.

Car and scooter rental operators are typically open on a Sunday, while you'll be able to refuel at Wigmore's Superstore and Super Brown on Rarotonga (but not on the outer islands) - or skip the refuelling altogether with the 5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Renting a Car in the Cook Islands.

Check out some of our self-drive guides for each of the islands in our Day Trips category.

Location: All over the Cook Islands!

That's right, the guys from Sailing Aitutaki are open on a Sunday! Jump on one of their private lagoon excursions on their 17 ft (5.2 m) Hobie catamaran, the most eco-friendly way to explore the lagoon.

The relaxed three-hour tour takes you to a motu (island), allows you to try sailing for yourself, stops for snorkelling, and includes light refreshments. Learn more about it in the 10 Best Lagoon Cruises on Aitutaki.

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

Yes, the seven acres of botanical paradise that is the Maire Nui Gardens are open on Sundays.

These gorgeous tropical gardens just outside of Muri provide a stunning environment between the lily ponds, intriguing plants and a backdrop of the dramatic mountain landscape.

Though the cafe and guided tours are not available on Sunday, you may want to keep them in mind for weekday wanderings.

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.

No one is stopping you from hitting the epic hiking trails of Rarotonga and Aitutaki on a Sunday. Sunday could be the day you finally do the Cross-Island Trek on Rarotonga or climb up to the top of Maunga Pu on Aitutaki!

Check out some awesome trails to walk, lasting from less than an hour to half a day, in the 10 Best Walks & Hikes in the Cook Islands.

Location: See the link above for locations.

Lagoon cruises on a Sunday?! That's right, both Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes and Koka Lagoon Cruises do indeed operate on Sundays, giving you an awesome half-day on the Muri Lagoon. The cruise from Muri Beach includes snorkelling at the Tikioki Marine Reserve where you’ll be free to swim among the giant clams, angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish and much more.

After snorkelling, the cruise on the glass-bottom boat crosses the Muri Lagoon to the uninhabited Motu Koromiri for a barbecue lunch combined with a fun yet informative coconut and sarong-tying show. The ukulele band entertains throughout the experience.

See how the cruise compares to the 10 Best Day Cruises in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: Tours depart from Muri Beach, Rarotonga.

Ani's Art Gallery, also known as the Art Box, is a vibrant showcase of Cook Islands culture located in Akaoa, Arorangi. Ani, a talented local artist, draws inspiration from the islands' rich heritage, creating pieces that tell the stories of her ancestors through myths, legends, and iconic symbols.

To keep her art accessible, Ani works with a variety of materials including ply, tapa cloth, metal, canvas, and canvas boards. Her eye-catching wall hangings are crafted from thick cotton linen.

The best part? All pieces are customs-friendly and perfect for travellers looking to take a piece of the Cook Islands home with them.

Throughout the week, art enthusiasts can explore other galleries listed in the 5 Best Art Galleries in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: Akaoa No.2 Road, Akaoa, Arorangi, west coast of Rarotonga.

While the rest of the Cook Islands might be relatively sleepy on a Sunday, you can always rely on your resort for Sunday relaxation. Drink cocktails by the pool, head down to the beach or find yourself a hammock and read a good book. Sunday is a "day of rest", after all.

Check out some awesome resorts to relax at in The Top 50 Resorts in the Cook Islands.

Location: All over the Cook Islands! Check out the link above for recommendations.