Raratonga, Cook Islands - weekend recommendations?

[BoganFlyer]

Hi! I've booked a weekend on the Cook Islands in Raratonga for a virgin status/sectors run next month.

Has anyone visited recently and have advice?

Has anyone been to the breweries?

Should I hire a car or just walk around?

Is it safe to leave things on the beach whole swimming?

Anything not to miss?

I'm only there 2 days/2 nights - Fri night to Sun night - so no scope to visit other islands sadly! Looking forward to snorkeling!!!

Thanks all! xx_

 

[AviationNZ]

I've been there about five times so happy to help.

Has anyone been to the breweries?

Yeap, and the beer isn't too bad also! Probably just something you'll go to for an hour or so though.

Should I hire a car or just walk around?

Walking would take quite a while so if you didn't want to drive, you could also hire a scooter or there's the bus that operates too. Very simple system in that one bus goes clockwise and the other anti-clockwise. They don't exactly run like clockwork, but it's regular enough.

Is it safe to leave things on the beach whole swimming?

Absolutely, I've never had any issue or heard of any theft. It's a very safe place.

Anything not to miss?

The lagoon cruises at Muri Beach are good fun (there's two operators from memory). You could also do one of the tours to the top of the mountain, amazing views from up there!

 

[BoganFlyer]

Thank you! Super helpful!

Ok that sounds great, I might stick to the bus so I can enjoy the beaches and the beers and will look into the tours

 

[Mattg]

I can only echo the comments from AviationNZ, having been there a fortnight ago. The buses run on island time but are totally fine. Tickets are NZD5 one-way or NZD8 return. You could hire a car and driving is very easy (the speed limit on the island is 50km/h) but probably no need.

BTW, if you're arriving on VA91 on Friday night (departs AKL on Saturday) be prepared for a long wait at airport immigration as this flight arrives right behind an Air New Zealand Boeing 777.

Enjoy your status run! The VA J fares to RAR are great and it's a good destination to spend a few days too.