Simon and Denise have snorkelled inside the lagoon and freedived over the reef since 2007. Here are their top 3 locations for safe, easy-access lagoon snorkelling for 2027.
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3rd Place = Fruits of Rarotonga, Tikioki
The name comes from an old cafe called The Fruits of Rarotonga, which is now called Cafe Puretu. It is located opposite Cafe Puretu and beside a bus stop and car park on Ara Tapu (the main ring road) in Tikioki. The Fruits of Rarotonga offers a huge variety, from beginners through to experienced snorkelers.
Area 1 for Beginners. Straight off the beach over the old dead coral (known as Makatea in the Cook Islands). Here, many submerged coral heads in shallow water can be accessed with interesting fish life, but the visibility can vary. This is very safe and easy to access, but watch the slippery makatea when the tide is low. You can stand at all times if needed.
Area 2 for Beginners to Intermediate. This is to your right when facing the lagoon. It is a reef that runs from the beach to the outer reef. This has large schools of fish, the odd turtle and lots to explore. Sadly, most of the coral has been badly damaged or in poor condition from 2016 onwards. Easy access by snorkelling straight off the beach and then head to your right until you reach the reef. Follow it out as far as you feel comfortable, and this is 2 to 3 metres deep, except where the reef lies in shallow water.
Area 3 for Intermediate to Experienced is where the water flows over the outer reef and meets the lagoon and the Fruits of Raro reef. Continue along to the end of the reef. Along the way, you have the buoys that Captain Tamas and Koka Lagoon tie up to. These areas often have giant clams, moray eels and larger fish as they get fed by these companies. Beyond this area, have a chat to Simon on Whats App +684 56 665 so he can explain where the best live coral and fish species are, as it involves higher levels of fitness and water confidence here.
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2nd Place = Titikaveka Beach and Lagoon, Titikaveka
This wonderful stretch of beach and lagoon runs from Charlie's Raro to Papa'aroa Beach. It has great marine life, turtles and healthy coral in patches. The water quality is almost always crystal clear, and it is very safe.
Access is straight off the beach and, like The Fruits of Rarotonga, the best live coral and fish life is close to the outer reef. You can use Charlie's Raro as an access point and walk to your right to find a nice spot. We have a top spot in Titivaveka that only our guests staying at Muri Retreat are given info on...so book soon :-)
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1st Place = Aroa Marine Reserve
This location is the best for the variety of fish species, clear water and a very safe lagoon. Park at the public car park just past The Rarotongan Resort. There are 2 different zones: the first is a U-shaped area from the main public beach, with the 2nd from the Rarotongan Beach to your left again, following a U-shape from the beach and back to The Sanctuary (adults' side of the Rarotongan).
At all times, you can stand, but please avoid the live coral. These areas have excellent fish life, turtles and good patches of live coral. It can be busy, and if a large swell is hitting the reef, wait until mid-tide for calmer conditions in the lagoon.
Note: where the light sand meets the darker coral is the path to follow from the beach out.
Contact Simon on relax@muriretreat.com or Whats App +682 56 665 if you have any questions
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