Rarotonga is a paradise for families. But what makes it even better is how many incredible experiences you can have with kids without spending a single dollar. Forget expensive theme parks. Here, nature is the ultimate playground, and cultural immersion comes with the warmest welcome.
Trust us – we live here! We’ve settled into life on the beautiful island of Rarotonga, Cook Islands for a second time living here as a family and we are ready to share some of the most awesome Cheap and Free Things To Do in Rarotonga With Kids!
Our hope with creating this list is not to itemize and compare day trips and organised tours. But instead to let you know about the free and low-cost activities to do with your kids that truly showcase the Best of Rarotonga.
As a parent who understands the budget juggle, we know what it’s like. We are a travelling family from New Zealand and before we came to live in Rarotonga we have been travelling around the world – fulltime – for six years with our kids! That kind of travel is the type that has to be done on a budget. So I’m thrilled to share our fave cheap and free things to do in Rarotonga with kids that will keep your little ones entertained and create unforgettable family memories!
Hey! We are Away with the Steiners. Wondering about Living in Rarotonga?
1. Endless Lagoon Play & Snorkelling at Aroa Marine Reserve (and beyond!)
The Aroa Marine Reserve, located on the southwest side of the island near The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, is an absolute gem for families. The lagoon here is protected, meaning the fish are abundant, colourful, and incredibly curious. Your kids will be mesmerized by the schools of iridescent parrotfish, friendly butterflyfish, and even giant clams. The water is consistently calm and shallow, making it perfect for even the youngest snorkelers.
While the resort section of Aroa is primarily for guests, the public access points along Aroa Beach still offer fantastic, free snorkelling. Many accommodations provide free snorkel gear, or it’s a cheap rental.
Beyond Aroa, Titikaveka Beach and Muri Lagoon also offer incredibly safe and vibrant lagoon areas for swimming and casual snorkelling. Let them splash, collect shells, build sandcastles, and hunt for hermit crabs – the lagoon is their giant, natural bathtub!
2. Punanga Nui Market Magic & Market Performances
Saturday morning at Punanga Nui Market in Avarua is a must-do for families. It’s a sensory explosion that kids will adore. While buying a tropical smoothie or a local doughnut might cost a few dollars, the experience of simply being there is entirely free.
Kids will love:
- Wandering Through the Stalls: Admiring the vibrant fruits, vegetables, and the incredible array of local crafts like intricate weaving and shell jewellery.
- Try a Fruit Smoothie: Delicious fruit smoothies made with fresh tropical fruit.
- Drink a Coconut: Of course!
- The Buzz of Activity: The sights and sounds of a bustling Polynesian market are captivating.
- Live Market Performances: Head to the main stage around 10:00am. You’ll often find local dance troupes, drummers, and musicians putting on lively, free market performances. Kids can often stand close to the stage, sway to the music, and soak up the infectious energy. Sometimes, they even invite kids up to dance, which is a brilliant photo opportunity!
Definitely go early though! In the tourist season during the NZ winter the Saturday market in Rarotonga gets very busy. Though there is the playground onsite to escape to for some down time and kid-time afterwards!
3. Wigmore’s Waterfall (Papua Waterfall) (Free!)
Tucked away inland on the south side of the island (Vaimaanga area), Wigmore’s Waterfall (also known as Papua Waterfall) is a delightful, free natural attraction. Albeit there is a small entry fee ‘donation’ of $5 per vehicle if driving up the road to the waterfall by car.
Then after a short, easy walk or drive from the main road (note: the access road can be a bit rough, better with an SUV or walk from the SPCA car park), you’ll find a refreshing freshwater pool fed by a gentle cascade.
It’s the perfect spot for kids to cool off and splash around, especially on a hot day. The lush jungle surroundings add to the adventure, making it feel like a secret oasis. Remember to pack insect repellent, especially after rain!
4. Gentle Hikes: Easy Trails for Little Legs (Free!)
While some of Rarotonga’s hikes are challenging, there are gentler options perfect for families.
- Hospital Hill: A short, albeit steep (but easy) walk near Avarua that offers fantastic panoramic views of the harbour, town, and lagoon. It’s a great quick workout with a huge payoff for minimal effort, perfect for active kids. Drive up and park at the Rarotonga Hospital for a short 20 minute walk up to the lookout.
- Avana Harbour Walk: This isn’t a ‘hike’ in the traditional sense. But a lovely, flat walk along the historically significant Avana Stream, from where the ancient canoes departed for New Zealand. It’s a beautiful, peaceful stroll, allowing kids to connect with history and nature.
- Avana Point: Go out to the point of where Muri Lagoon starts and watch the incredible waves and bird life above the the harbour point!
- The Needle: For older kids (best recommended with a guide) you can do the Cross Island Walk but as the option of ‘Up & Back’ to The Needle.
- Read Hiking to The Needle and the short walk up Hospital Hill in Rarotonga.
5. Black Rock (Tuoro) (Free!)
This iconic landmark on the west coast isn’t just visually striking with its dark volcanic rocks. But it also has a special spiritual meaning to the people of the Cook Islands. Kids will love climbing on the rocks, exploring the tidal pools (look for tiny crabs and fish!), and watching the waves crash against the reef.
Known as Tuoro in Maori; Blackrock is believed to be the place where spirits of the dead leave Rarotonga. Before the depart they ascend to a pua tree and leap from it to begin the journey back to their ancient homeland Avaiki, to the West. You can read about it on the plaque and story board just above Black Rock.
It’s also one of the best spots for a free sunset show. The shallow, protected lagoon here is great for a swim. Or if it is the right time of year – it is one of the best spots for whale watching!
6. Avana Harbour & Imagining the Voyages (Free!)
Avana Harbour, on the southeastern side of the island, is a calm, picturesque bay rich in history. This is the fabled departure point of the seven ancestral canoes that voyaged to Aotearoa (New Zealand) centuries ago.
It’s a wonderful, free spot for kids to:
- Watch local fishing boats: Observe the daily life of the harbour.
- Imagine history: Talk about the incredible journey of the Polynesian navigators.
- Gentle splashing: The water here is generally calm and shallow, making it safe for little ones to wade.
- If you have access to a kayak (many resorts offer them free for guests!), Avana is a perfect place for a gentle family paddle.
7. Maire Nui Gardens: Tropical Exploration (Donation)
The Maire Nui Gardens on the south side of the island (Vaimaanga) are a peaceful oasis of tropical flora. While a small donation is suggested for adults, entry is essentially free for children – and it is well worth the donation to enter!
Kids will love wandering along the winding paths, discovering vibrant flowers, towering trees, and perhaps spotting interesting insects or lizards. It’s a beautiful place for a gentle stroll, a scavenger hunt for different coloured flowers, or simply to enjoy the serenity.
9. SPCA Rarotonga: Puppy Cuddles (Donation)
For animal-loving kids, a visit to the Cook Islands SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), located near Papua Waterfall, is a heartwarming and free activity.
They welcome visitors to interact with their rescue dogs and cats. It’s a chance for kids to give some love to animals in need, and it teaches compassion. You can even join in one of the SPCA Dog Walks to Papua Waterfall!
While visiting is free, a small donation to support their vital work is always appreciated if your budget allows. You can get some dog food from the supermarkets here which will always be appreciated!
10. Take a Drive Around the Island (the Whole Island) (Cheap!)
This is one of our favourite weekend past times living in Rarotonga. The way the island of Rarotonga is laid out, there is one main road that loops right around the entire island; not too far from the shoreline.
Slightly inland from that however, there is an inland loop road called ‘The Back Road’(!). And this back road loops almost the entire way around the island as well.
If you have rented a car and have some free time, pack the kids in the car, stop at a roadside market and grab a coconut and hit the road. A loop around the island is always great. It is one of the best cheap and free things to do in Rarotonga with kids. But on the backroads there is always something new to see!
11. Plane Spotting (Free!)
Combine two simple pleasures: head to the western end of the airport runway, near Nikao, to watch planes land and take off. Plus see the waves crashing or spot whales from the lookout point!
Kids are often fascinated by the sheer size and sound of the aircraft, especially the larger international jets. It’s a free spectacle!
- Tip: FYI the Air New Zealand flight arrives daily from Auckland to Rarotonga at 2:40pm at the moment!
12. Wave Watching (Free!)
After that, drive (or walk if nearby) to one of the passages in the reef (like Avatiu Harbour entrance or Avana Harbour outside Muri Lagoon) to watch the ocean waves crash dramatically against the outer reef. It’s a powerful display of nature’s force that will capture their attention.
13. Explore the Harbour at Avatiu (Free!)
At any time of day, a walk around the harbour area in Avarua – called Avatiu – is a fun outing and one of our favourite free things to do in Rarotonga with kids. Depending on what time of day you visit; you might find fishermen returning from a morning outside the reef with all kinds of different fish in their haul.
You might be in time to watch boats being loaded with cargo and people ready for a few days at sea to get to the Pa Enua (the outer islands). Or you might be in time for the beautiful golden hour before sunset along the north and western tip of the island. In any case, it’s worth a visit while you are here!
Look out for Te Kukupa – the Cook Islands Police Boat. Or spot the iconic blue Lady Moana that delivers cargo out to the outer Cook Islands!
14. Playground Fun: Swings & Slides (Free!)
Sometimes, kids just need a good old-fashioned playground. Rarotonga has a few public playgrounds where kids can burn off some energy.
The main one is often found near the Punanga Nui Market, offering swings, slides, and climbing frames. It’s a great spot for them to interact with local children too, fostering a sense of community. After a morning of exploring, a good run around at the playground can be just what they need.
15. Hermit Crab Races & Hunts: Nature’s Little Entertainers (Free!)
As mentioned, hermit crabs are everywhere on Rarotonga’s beaches and inland areas, living in a variety of shells. Kids absolutely love discovering them!
Small crabs are known as kakara and the larger ones as unga. Pretty much on any evening if you head to the beach you will see some smaller hermit crabs (conical shaped and cylindrical). But for the larger bright orange hermit crabs you will likely spot them on the northern side of the island.
- Hermit Crab Hunt: Grab a light at dusk and head to the beach. They scuttle out in droves! Encourage gentle observation, watching them change shells or race across the sand.
- Crab Races: Some resorts might even organise informal hermit crab races. But I’m not such a fan of supporting this! Observing is just as fascinating without disturbing these cool creatures. It’s a simple, captivating form of entertainment that connects kids with nature.
Be sure to treat them kindly and return them to their home after you’ve said hello…
16. Have an Ice Cream at Kavera (Delicious; and Cheap!)
Now, this is both a treat AND a challenge. Not only will you be served up a generous (read: GIANT) serving of beautifully cool NZ Tip Top ice cream…
But you then have the challenge of eating it in the heat of the tropics to beat all the drips!
Check out Kavera Ice Cream Shop (next to the CITC Kavera Store) for the best ice creams in the area. A kiddy scoop is priced at $2; a single $3; and a double scoop $4. It is the best!
17. Try a New Fruit (Cheap!)
This a unique experience in Rarotonga and one of those opportunities that always tastes better in the island context!
Have you tried pawpaw? Island guava? Or what about soursop?
Some different fruits to try in Rarotonga include:
- Green Mangoes
- Starfruit
- Soursop
- Plantain Bananas
- Tuava (Island Guava)
- Dragonfruit
- Papaya/Pawpaw
- Uto (Sprouted Coconut)
- Breadfruit
Get ready with a new island-fruit-bucketlist of new treats to try while you are here. Trying new foods is an awesome experience with kids – and one of the cheap and/or free things to do in Rarotonga with kids!
The main market is a good start otherwise stop anywhere at the roadside stalls for a friendly local experience.
18. Stargazing: Awe-Inspiring Nights (Free!)
Rarotonga’s lack of light pollution makes it an incredible place for stargazing. Once the sun sets, and if the moon isn’t too bright, simply lie back on a beach or even in your resort garden and look up.
The Southern Cross, the Milky Way, and countless constellations become visible with stunning clarity. It’s a truly awe-inspiring, free experience that can spark wonder and curiosity in children (and adults!) about the vastness of the universe.
Enjoy Rarotonga With Kids
So, there you have it – a huge list of 18 AWESOME cheap and free things to do in Rarotonga with kids.
Rarotonga truly offers a wealth of free and cheap activities that are perfect for families. These experiences not only save money but also immerse you in the island’s natural beauty and vibrant culture, creating authentic and cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
Let me know if you try some of these or have any suggestions to add!
Accommodation Options in Rarotonga With Kids
Rarotonga is ideal as a destination for a family holiday. There is a great range of family friendly accommodation options with resorts, hotels and motels, holiday homes and self-catering AirBnB’s.
It is often possible to book flights and family accommodation in Rarotonga as a package (through a NZ travel agent).
Otherwise it’s easy to book family accommodation online.
- Resorts: Prices for the resorts start around $200 NZD p/night for a basic family room (options for breakfast and meals are extra).
- Hotels and Motels: Prices from $200 NZD per night. Some of the hotels advertise special deals in the quieter months.
- AirBnB: Options for self-catering are from $180 NZD p/night depending on the length of stay and location on the island (proximity to the beach!).
- Luxury: High end family accommodation in Rarotonga starts from between $600 to $1000 NZD per night.
Here is an initial list of accommodation in Rarotonga and options for families.
There are plenty more but this is just a start. Have a browse or leave us a comment if you have any questions.
Resorts in Rarotonga for families
- 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 for Families
- 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 AirBnB options to browse online (I haven’t listed them all). But check them out for a great self-catering holiday option.
Backpacker and Budget Accommodation Options
- Rarotonga Backpackers, Arorangi
- Backpackers International, Aro’a
- Aremango Guesthouse, Muri
I have to add in here that on our first ever trip to Rarotonga with kids we came for Christmas in Rarotonga with our extended family. We stayed in a self-catering, beachfront bungalow at the Rarotonga Backpackers – which was just perfect!
Sort your accommodation before you arrive so that you are ready to step off that plane; embrace the feeling of that tropical breeze and get ready for an awesome family adventure!
Read More About Holiday to Rarotonga
- All About The Rarotonga Bus.
- Essential Tips On Visiting Cook Islands.
- All About The Markets In Rarotonga.
- Places To Eat In Rarotonga On Sunday.
- Renting A Car in Rarotonga.
- How To Buy A Car In Rarotonga.
- Finding And Renting A House In Rarotonga.
- Rarotonga Reef Explorer Tour With Ariimoana.
- Is Dengue Fever A Worry For Travel To Rarotonga?
Travel Planning for Cook Islands and 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 traveling 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.
