Rarotonga Island

Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands, a volcanic island circled by a reef lagoon and a single coastal road. Ships anchor offshore, and tenders land at Avatiu Harbour in Avarua, the capital. The island is small enough to drive around in about 45 minutes, and a local bus circles the coast in both directions roughly every hour. Mopeds are easy to rent and suit the flat road well. Muri Lagoon, on the east coast, has shallow turquoise water over white sand and is the main swimming and snorkelling spot. The Cross-Island Track hikes through dense forest to Te Rua Manga, a distinctive needle-shaped rock peak, and takes about three hours. Saturday morning at the Punanga Nui Market in town is the busiest time on the island, with food stalls, produce, black pearls, and ukulele music. Most shops close on Sundays. The currency is the New Zealand dollar, and the island's three-dollar coin and three-dollar banknote are popular souvenirs.