Wondering about choosing a tour in Rarotonga with kids? Rarotonga is an adventurer’s playground. But we know that one challenge when you’re traveling with kids, is that not all tours are created equal, right?
The good news though, is that there are plenty of fab tours in Rarotonga for kids! It is an incredible family holiday destination.
We’ve spent a lot of time on this beautiful island. We live here in Rarotonga as a family! So, we know that the best family holiday experiences are the ones that are fun, safe, and truly unforgettable for everyone.
From tasting tropical fruits to spotting sea turtles in the wild to paddling across a pristine lagoon, we’ve put together our top 10 list of the best kid-friendly tours and activities on Rarotonga.
Ready? Rarotonga and the Cook Islands is a truly fabulous place for a family holiday!
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1. Koka Lagoon Cruise
A trip to Rarotonga isn’t complete without a glass-bottom boat tour. It is an awesome experience of a tour in Rarotonga with kids, and the Koka Lagoon Cruise or Captain Tama’s are both great picks.
From the moment you step onto the boat, you’re greeted with music and the hilarious commentary of the crew. They’ll take you out to a marine reserve in Muri Lagoon for some of the best snorkelling on the island. The water is calm and teeming with colourful fish, making it a perfect spot for kids to get comfortable with their snorkel gear.
Afterwards, you’ll head to a motu (islet) for a fresh coconut husking demonstration and a delicious barbecue lunch. The whole day is filled with good vibes, great food, and plenty of laughs.
2. Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruise
Another fantastic option for a lagoon adventure is Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruise. This is another classic Rarotonga experience.
Much like Koka, it includes a glass-bottom boat tour, snorkelling in the Muri Lagoon marine reserve, and a tasty fish barbecue lunch on an islet. The crew is incredibly friendly and engaging, with plenty of songs and ukulele music to keep the kids entertained.
Both Koka and Captain Tama’s are excellent choices, so you can’t go wrong with either.
3. Maunga Tours to The Needle
For active families with older kids, a hike up to The Needle, Rarotonga’s most famous landmark, is a rewarding challenge.
Maunga Tours offers guided treks that take you through the lush, dense jungle to the base of the rock formation. The owner and main guide, Bruce is a fantastic contact for Rarotonga and an awesome tour experience to share as a family.
Bruce is extremely knowledgeable and share stories about the island’s flora, fauna, and history. It’s a good workout, but the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking and worth every step. It’s a great way to show kids a different side of the island.
4. Ariimoana Walkabouts Reef Tour
For a deep dive into the Rarotonga marine ecosystem, the Ariimoana Walkabouts Reef Tour is a fantastic choice. This honestly is our favourite of tours in Rarotonga with kids!
The Reef Tour is led by Kura Happ and her partner Jack and offers a unique perspective on the island’s coral reefs and marine life. Kura has grown up on the shores of Rarotonga and shares so much about life in the Cook Islands and the incredible connection with the ocean.
It’s a great educational experience for curious kids who want to learn more about the world beneath the waves. Plus, for parents who want to share the experience of getting out in nature with their kids while on holiday in the Cook Islands!
The tour is often conducted at low tide, so you can walk on the reef and see the creatures in the tide pools up close.
5. Ariimoana Walkabouts Inland Fruit Tour
This is another epic tour by Ariimoana Walkabouts that is a fab choice of tour with kids! We would rate this as the best tour in Rarotonga with kids. This is a delicious adventure that takes you on a journey through Rarotonga’s lush interior. Where you get to try all kinds of uniquely tropical fruits!
The Ariimoana Walkabouts Inland Fruit Tour is a fun way for kids to learn about the island’s tropical fruits and plants. Jack and Kura as your guides will point out all the different kinds of trees and flowers, and you’ll get to taste some of the most delicious fruits you’ve ever had.
It’s a gentle, eye-opening tour that gives you a different perspective on the island.
6. KiteSUP Paddleboarding
For a fun and active day on the water, try KiteSUP on Muri Lagoon.
You can rent a paddleboard for an hour or a day, and it’s a great activity for the whole family. The calm, clear waters of the lagoon are perfect for beginners, and the kids will love the freedom of gliding across the water.
The best part is that you can paddle out to one of the small motu and pretend you’re on a deserted island!
7. Ocean Toa Turtle Tour
Ocean Toa is a proudly well-known family-owned and operated Turtle Tour business in Rarotonga.
This incredible tour takes you out into the open ocean, just beyond the reef, to swim with the local sea turtles. Your guides are experienced and will make sure you and your family feel safe and comfortable in the water. It’s an unforgettable experience that combines adventure with a deep respect for marine life.
Owners Mark and Louisa have dedicated Ocean Toa to supporting marine life and education about protecting and treasuring the ocean that surrounds the Cook Islands. Their turtle tours focus on responsible interaction, ensuring guests can observe these creatures in their natural habitat without causing stress.
From each Turtle Tour booked, Ocean Toa donates $10 towards ‘Ocean Tamariki’ – an education programme for children in the Cook Islands. They are a passionate family and knowledgeable guides who prioritise marine conservation.
Ocean Toa emphasises safety in the water and works hard to provide a memorable and ethical experience.
- Tour: Ocean Tour Cook Islands
- Contact: [email protected]
- Phone: (682) 74035
8. SPCA Waggy Tails Dog Walk
If your kids love animals, this is the tour for them. The SPCA Waggy Tails Dog Walk is a weekly event where you can take a rescued dog for a walk.
It’s a simple, heartwarming activity that allows you to give back to the community and spend some time with a furry friend. It’s a great way to teach kids about animal welfare and have a lovely, simple day out.
9. Raro Buggy Tours
This is probably the most adventurous tour on our list, and it’s an absolute blast. If you are looking for a tour in Rarotonga with kids that is something totally different; this is it!
Raro Buggy Tours lets you get behind the wheel of a buggy and explore Rarotonga’s muddy, off-road interior. The guides lead you through the jungle, up hills, and through water crossings, giving you an exhilarating look at the island’s wild side. Be prepared to get dirty—it’s all part of the fun!
This tour is best for families with older kids who love a bit of adrenaline.
10. Rarotonga Reef Sub
The Raro Reef Sub tour is a fantastic family-friendly activity in Rarotonga, perfect for exploring the underwater world without getting wet. Our kids loved this tour on the water on our first visit to Rarotonga!
The tour is on a semi-submersible vessel, which means kids can either stay on the top deck for island views or descend below into the hull for a unique window on the marine life. The experience is well-suited for all ages, and with plenty of handrails, it’s a safe and secure way for little ones to enjoy the ocean.
Lasting about 1.5 hours, the tour is the ideal length to keep children engaged. They’ll be captivated by the sights of giant trevally, tropical fish, and even turtles. A key highlight is the view of a century-old shipwreck, which adds an exciting, historical element to the adventure. You can also see this from Trader Jacks on the shore. But it is even cooler up close!
The tour is a great way for families to see Rarotonga’s vibrant reef ecosystem and marine life up close, especially for kids who aren’t old enough or confident enough to snorkel.
Choosing a Tour in Rarotonga with Kids
We hope this guide helps you plan your family holiday in Rarotonga. Is there anything else you’d like to know about the island?
Read More About Travel to Rarotonga
- All About The Rarotonga Bus.
- 10 Unforgettable Walks In Rarotonga.
- 10 Historical Sites You Must See In Rarotonga.
- Hiking The Needle Cross Island Walk.
- Hiring A Bike In Rarotonga.
- How To Get Your Scooter License In Rarotonga.
- 15 Essential Tips On Visiting Rarotonga.
- Rarotonga Reef Explorer Tour With Ariimoana.
Accommodation Options in Rarotonga
There is a great range of accommodation options in Rarotonga, with resorts, hotels and motels, holiday homes and self-catering AirBnB’s:
Resorts in Rarotonga
- The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, Aro’a
- The Edgewater Resort & Spa, Arorangi
- Club Raro, Tupapa
- Nautilus Resort, Muri
- Pacific Resort Rarotonga, Muri
Hotels and Motels in Rarotonga
- Magic Reef Bungalows, Arorangi
- Coral Sands Apartment, Arorangi
- Black Pearl at Puaikura, Aro’a
- Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel, Titikaveka
- Muri Garden Lodge, Muri
Holiday Homes and AirBnB
- Cooks Oasis Holiday Villas, Arorangi
- Lagoon Breeze Villas, Aro’a
- Muri Lagoon Beachfront Villa, Muri
- Ariki Bungalows, Muri
There are loads of amazing options when choosing accommodation in Rarotonga. There is a fantastic range available and each option has different qualities that will make your trip suited just to you.
More Travel Planning for Cook Islands & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads including those who have already left home. Make sure you have travel insurance before travelling to the Cook Islands!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
