Swimming

Getting into the water has to have high priority during a visit to Rarotonga. The lagoon is deep enough for snorkeling off most hotels at high tide, but you'll do better walking on the west coast reef when the tide's out. The best spot for snorkeling (and the only one at low tide) is the Titikaveka lagoon on the southeast coast. If you're not staying at Rarotonga Beach Bungalows or the Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel, you can snorkel off the nearby Fruits of Rarotonga shop. Muri Lagoon off Rarotonga Sailing Club is the best spot for boating.

Most hotels have snorkels, fins, and masks for their guests to use for free. You can rent them from the Edgewater Resort (tel. 25-435) or from Dive Rarotonga (tel. 21-873) on the west coast, or from Captain Tama's AquaSports (tel. 27-350) at the Rarotonga Sailing Club on Muri Beach. Cost is NZ$10 (US$6.50) a day.