Car Rental or Tours on Rarotonga?
Quick summary: On Rarotonga, a rental car is handy for beaches, trailheads and cafes, but the island’s best experiences happen on and in the lagoon. Lagoon cruises, turtle and ray encounters, sea scooter tours and whale swimming need an operator anyway, and many include pickups from your accommodation. Cultural evenings with a feast suit a tour too, so nobody has to drive afterwards. Cruise passengers on a short visit are best served by shore excursions.
| At a glance | Car rental | Tours |
|---|---|---|
| Beaches and cafes | Flexible | Half-day tours |
| Lagoon | Drive to the beach | Lagoon tours |
| Marine life | Not possible | Turtle tours |
| Evenings | No drinking and driving | Cultural tours |
| Cruise visitors | Short time ashore | Shore excursions |
Compare car rental at Rarotonga Airport
Which experiences need a tour?
| Experience | Tours |
|---|---|
| Rays and turtles | Ray encounters, Turtle tours |
| Whales | Whale swimming |
| Under the water | Snorkeling tours, Sea scooter tours |
| On the lagoon | Lagoon cruises |
| Food and art | Lunch tours, Art experiences |
| Through the lens | Photography tours |
Which tour styles are available?
Private tours, premium tours, small-group tours, featured tours and all tours.
Can you combine both?
Yes. Rent a car for a few days of exploring, and book tours for the lagoon and evenings.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, many include pickups.
Yes, on whale swimming tours.
Shore excursions are easier on a short visit.
Yes, a car for exploring and tours for the lagoon.