Our week in Raro with the girls was such fun two years in a row, we’re doing it again!
11-19 October 2025
We’ve added another night, making the tour 8 nights away. We will stay at Manuia Beach Resort again, and there will be plenty of time for relaxing in our own pool and watching the sunsets and humpback whales from our beach. Oh, and it’s for girls only, because togs!
You might also like to read my post about things to know before you go to Rarotonga. And if you’re planning to visit and wondering if there’s much to do for active relaxers, I cover all the things in this post.
Does this sound like you?: sunshine, cocktails, swimming, snorkelling, markets, eating out… lots of free time to relax and a list of options you can pre-book like turtle snorkelling, a day trip to Aitutaki, lagoon cruises, spa treatments and more, then come join us!
Manuia Beachfront Resort is fabulous for sunset happy hours and has the acclaimed OTB restaurant located right beside the pool where our breakfast will be each morning (included). The pool is surrounded in deck chairs, loungers and beanbags and a cocktail is a mere wave away.
I have based the tour on a single person per room in a Premium Garden Suite. You can bring a friend and roomshare to save money, and you can also upgrade to beachfront, subject to availability.
The rooms are all air conditioned with plush sleepyhead beds, crisp linen, and your own private veranda. There is also a mini fridge, hair dryer (the important things!), tea and coffee making facilities, an outdoor shower and beds can be split into twins if you want to share with a friend.
We leave Auckland on a Saturday morning, and because the Cook Islands are 22 hours behind New Zealand, we arrive Friday afternoon to settle in and relax with a welcome dinner at OTB restaurant onsite.
The Saturday morning Punanganui market is a must-see for some shopping, followed by a browse in town, just a hundred metres down the road.
I am also hoping for a private shopping and bubbles afternoon at Manini clothing boutique, as we all love her dresses so much!
Some might like to visit the local church on Sunday for a wonderful opportunity to hear singing to the rafters that will move your heart and put goosebumps on your arms.
Some might like to rent an ebike and have it for the week to tootle off at leisure.
Eating options in Raro
Two evening meals are included in this tour, and on the “free” nights I will check with everyone before we travel and make reservations, as our group is large and places get booked out.
We will dine at OTB and Antipodes (subject to availability), and I will also make suggestions to head to Trader Jacks, Tamarind House, Muri Night Market and more. We will run out of nights!
How much money will I need?
You’ll need money for the five dinners that are not included, plus drinks and lunches, as you wish, depending on where we might be. You will also want cash for the Saturday market, and also the Muri Night Market, where we’ll have dinner Sunday night from the pop-up tents and food trucks.
You may like to add on some activities too, as below.
You can bring duty free alcohol and snacks into Rarotonga, but there is also a well-stocked supermarket that we can visit.
Closer to the time I will send out an activity sheet to prebook some of the experiences below:
Fun activities to choose in Raro!
- Rent sea scooters to go snorkelling or wreck diving.
- Go on a turtle snorkelling tour without sea scooters, but includes amazing photos.
- Rent e-bikes for a day or a few days and have them to use as you wish.
- Take a day tour/flight out to Aitutaki and spend the day on the lagoon with lunch.
- Take a glass bottom lagoon tour with lunch in the Muri Lagoon with Captain Tamas Cruizes.
- Go deep sea fishing. Everyone gets a share of what is caught, as the skipper decides.
- Ride the bus “clockwise” and “anticlockwise” around Rarotonga and hang with the locals.
- Go to church on Sunday.
- Have dinner at the Muri Night Markets.
- Get a spa treatment at one of the resorts.
- Take a guided walk into the jungle-scape of the island and even some rock climbing.
- Drink cocktails by the pool!
Ts & Cs
I have 16 places available.
Cancellations within 40 days of the tour incur full payment. Travel insurance is a requirement. Please make your own arrangements for insurance and let me have your info before we travel.
You will need a passport with at least 6 months validity left.
A minimum of 12 people are required for this tour to go ahead. The cost is based on accepting terms and conditions of Air New Zealand Groups Travel, which means Airpoints cannot be used as payment, however you can collect airpoints from the flight.
Cost:
Single person in Garden Villa $6,495
Bring a friend to room share for $2,850
What’s included:
- 8 nights accommodation in a garden view suite
- Return airfares ex Auckland flying Air New Zealand in a ‘works’ seat including a meal
- Tropical buffet breakfast each morning
- Free use of kayaks and snorkelling gear at the resort
- Transfers to and from Rarotonga Airport
- 2 fabulous evening meals (drinks not included)
- Rented cars for your hosts to get you around
- Your host, Megan Singleton 😀
What’s not included:
- Travel insurance (required)
- Spending money for extra activities, shopping, cocktails
- Other meals not already included
If you’d like to join me, please email [email protected] and I’ll send out the registration form. Your spot will be secured when your deposit of $1,000 is paid.
Kia orana!