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

Last Updated: 8 June, 2025

What to Do on a Sunday in the Cook Islands

The buzz of Rarotonga comes to a standstill on Sunday afternoons following morning church. What’s going on? As the Cook Islands is predominantly a Christian country, Sunday is observed as a day of rest; a day to relax with friends and family.

While many businesses close on Sundays, that doesn’t mean your Rarotonga or Aitutaki holiday has to come to a halt! There are still some spectacular things to do in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands on a Sunday. Check them out in the list below!

Otherwise, we have plenty more ideas listed in the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List.

1. Head to Church

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.

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

2. Visit the Mairie Nui Gardens

Yes, the seven acres of botanical paradise that is the Mairie Nui Gardens are open on a Sunday. 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.

With just a donation for entry, we also classify this as one of the 20 Free & Cheap Things to Do in the Cook Islands.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Titikaveka (south side of Rarotonga).

3. Check Out the Te Ara Museum

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).

4. Grab a Bite to Eat

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.

5. Take a Tiki Tour Around the Island

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!

6. Sail the Aitutaki Lagoon

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.

7. Hit the Hiking Trails

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.

8. Cruise the Muri Lagoon

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.

9. Check Out Ani’s Art Gallery

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.

10. Relax at Your Resort

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.

More About Sundays in the Cook Islands

Now that you know about the things to do on a Sunday in the Cook Islands, what else do you need to know about Sundays in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands? Check out the guides below for more tips:

Finally, anything that you’re missing from your trip-planning story will be covered in The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide.

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

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as the Cook Islands. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Raro’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

About Laura About Our Team