Rarotonga

January 22, 2026

We arrived this morning in Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands. The view from the ship was lush and beautiful. This was another tender port so pretty long waits and wavy travel between ship and shore. The shuttle situation on land left a lot to be desired too. Late arrivals and crowded vehicles were the rule rather than the exception.

Our excursion took us to the Te Ara Cook Islands Museum of Cultural Enterprise. There a young man explained the navigation techniques used by native peoples to explore and settle the south Pacific. The museum was small but very well organized. There was also a tasteful gift shop and snack bar.

After the museum, most folks headed to Muri beach and lagoon via a flowery public access path. This was my first opportunity to spend time on an actual tropical beach. It was a brief pleasant diversion from the hustle and bustle of the crowded shuttles. I wouldn’t say that Rarotonga was the most beautiful island we have visited, but it is very charming and the people I met were very friendly.

Next stop: New Zealand