Rarotonga

Rarotonga is the largest and most populated of the Cook Islands - home to the main township of Avarua and the international airport. Lush and volcanic, it is dominated by spectacular mountain peaks and fringed with a brilliant turquoise lagoon and powder soft white sand beaches lined with coconut palms.

Despite being the largest of the Cook Islands (named after our very own Captain James Cook), Rarotonga is still only 20 miles in circumference and can be easily explored, as the locals do, by scooter (you will need a Cook Islands driving license which can be obtained when you get there) - there are only two roads so driving is easy! There is also a regular round-the-island bus service which runs in both directions - just flag it down and hop on and off as you please. Alternatively, join a 4WD safari and discover the island's lush interior with a local guide - dramatic mountains and waterfalls await! For the adventurous, there is also a guided cross-island trek! Needless to say, a wide variety of watersports are also available.