Rarotonga, Cook Islands 2026

We have been sailing around The Pacific and visiting various islands circled in red. Each certainly has its own personality, but all have the same clear, beautiful, warm water surrounding them.

We visited Rarotonga on a Sunday which means that stores were closed and no alcohol was being served due to strict religious observation.

Since 1965 Cook Islands is self-governing in ‘free association’ with New Zealand. Cook Islanders hold New Zealand citizenship and have free access to New Zealand and by extension Australia. Britain’s King Charles III is the Head of State.

We spent our afternoon having fun on a glass bottom boat with plenty of time for snorkeling, swimming, viewing fish, and enjoying the beautiful beach.

A crew member dove down and brought up the biggest clam I have ever seen.