SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Explore Rarotonga's pristine natural beauty in an exciting way during this off-road tour of the island's stunning lagoons, valleys and inland villages. Depart the pier in an off-road vehicle for a drive to Rarotonga's back roads and valleys. Along the way, you will be privy to sights and sounds regular visitors to the island would not typically have an opportunity to experience. You will learn how traditional Cook Islanders live, and your guide will provide you with an informative commentary on the various traditional uses of the local flora and fauna. During the course of your tour you will drive into the Avatiu Valley's rainforest, ascend to the top of Hospital Heights where you are treated to extraordinary views, and visit Wigmores waterfall and Papaaroa Beach. As you complete your navigation of the island, you will stop off at the Marae to view the sacred stones, before returning to the pier where your tour concludes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See parts of Rarotonga that most visitors never get to on this highly scenic off-road excursion.
• Discover stunning terrain both deep inland and along the coast, including one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
• Visit an ancient religious marae, a lush jungle waterfall, a primal rainforest valley and more.
• Catch fabulous views of the island and coastal reefs from the top of Hospital Heights.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the culture, traditions, people and history of the Cook Islands during this scenic and informative visit to the Highland Paradise Cultural Village. Depart the pier with your guide, a Cook Islands' warrior, for the drive to the Highland Paradise Cultural Village located on Mangaroa Mountain. This 500 year old village was once lost in time and taken over by the surrounding jungle, but has since been rediscovered and opened to visitors. En route to this 200 acre site, your guide will inform you about the lives of the native Cook Islanders prior to the arrival of the missionaries. Upon arrival at the village, you will begin your immersion into the local culture by learning about the spiritual marae and voyaging skills of the island's forefathers. Here, you will view perfect replicas of village houses as they once stood, along with sacred placs of worship, where battles were fought and the site of human sacrifices. You will also see the High Chief's rock throne and canoe navigator's compass rock along with discovering how important the coconut tree is, the many ways of tying the colorful pareu and how to make flower garlands. You will also have the opportunity to sample some of the local cuisine and tropical fruit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel to a mountain village lost in the jungle for centuries, now rediscovered and brought back to life
• Travel with a Cook Island warrior/guide and meet the descendants of the village’s original High Chief.
• View perfectly replicated village homes, maraes where worship took place, the Chief’s rock throne and spots where fierce battles and human sacrifices happened.
• Witness a sacred ceremony, taste the local food, discover a dozen good uses for coconuts, and get some sarong-tying practice in.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Rarotonga's spectacular tropical beauty and marine life is yours to discover during this scenic and memorable cruise on the Muri Lagoon. Depart the pier for the 20-minute drive to Muri Beach. Upon arrival, you will obtain your snorkeling equipment and embark a glass-bottom boat for a cruise of Muri Lagoon. Along the way, you will observe a myriad of colorful coral and fish and the more adventurous will have an opportunity to go snorkeling amongst the schools of tropical fish found in this marine conservation area. The fish are extremely tame and used to swimmers, so much so that they will take food from your hand. Heading to Koromiri Island, you'll be treated to a rustic barbecue lunch will then be served on the pristine beach. While lunch is cooking, feel free to swim, snorkel or just relax on the beach. The lunch menu for this barbecue is typically comprised of fresh fish, usually tuna, wahoo or sailfish accompanied by potato salad, coleslaw and seasonal fruit. Afterwards, you'll re-board your boat and cruise back to Muri beach where you will be transferred back to the ship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel to picturesque Muri Beach, where you’ll board a glass-bottom boat and head out into the lagoon.
• Gaze down through the clear floor at the reef below – or, better yet, slip in for a snorkel and meet platoons of tropical fish so tame many will take food offered by hand.
• Pull it to the tiny offshore islet known as Koromiri and dine on a lunch of fresh barbequed fish and accompaniments.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Nature and bird lovers will relish this opportunity to encounter Rarotonga’s most exotic avians during a conservation area tour. Traveling from the pier to the Takitumu region on the southern end of the island, you’ll embark on a guided walk through a rain-forested Conservation Center that’s deeply committed to researching how best to the protect the Cook Islands’ most endangered and precious species. At the very top of that list is a tiny flycatcher known as the kakerori, an indigenous bird found only on Rarotonga. Once populous, the population had dwindled to barely 30 breeding pairs in the 1990s due to predation by introduced feral cats. Happily, thanks to efforts that your visit here will help fund, their numbers are once again viable and on the upswing. You’ll learn the details, and perhaps spot a flycatcher and other feathered Rarotongan residents, as you walk the conservation area. You’ll also be introduced to the many species of medicinal plants that grow in the rainforest and learn about how local healers have used them as herbal remedies for centuries.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take a guided walking tour through the lush rainforest of the Takitumu Conservation Area.
• Learn about the rarest of its residents, a tiny highly-endangered flycatcher that lives only on Rarotonga.
• Feel a swell of pride knowing that your visit helps fund the landowners and conservationists who have brought this one-ounce beauty back from near-extinction.
• Be on the lookout for other exotic birds as you walk, while your guide also points out tropical plants whose medicinal and healing properties may surprise you.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore Rarotonga's culture, history and traditions during this scenic and informative island tour. Depart the pier for an orientation drive around the island; an excellent way to see Rarotonga and gain insight to its culture. Along the way, you will visit such sites as Ngatangiia Harbour, the departure point of the Polynesian Migration to New Zealand in 1350 AD, and a historical back road built in 1050 AD called the Road of Toi, or Ara Metua. You will also pass by ceremonial sites that include Arai Te Tonga, along with old church buildings, the theological college, the library, the museum, and fruit and vegetable plantations. Stops will be made at the Cook Island's Library and Museum to view the artifacts. Following your tour, you will be returned to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Rarotonga signature sights and landmarks on an informative island introduction tour.
• Travel a road that dates back to 1050 AD and pass the most significant ceremonial site on the island.
• Visit the harbor where a great migration from Polynesia to New Zealand departed in 1350 AD.
• Visit inside Cook Islands Library and Museum to browse their extensive collections of cultural artifacts.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.