Rarotonga

Cruise vessels cannot berth, so tenders normally land on the north shore. Depending on conditions, they may use the island's western side instead, farther from Avarua but close to plenty of resorts.

Tender operations are abandoned more often than not because of sea conditions.

Avarua is within walking distance and contains shops and restaurants. Rarotonga consists of districts containing several villages, most positioned around the island's coastal edge. Avarua, the main village on its northern side, contains most residents and services.

Have a printable map with you.

Rarotonga is by far the Cook Islands' most populous island and serves as their capital within the southern island group. Locally, it is simply called Raro.

Rarotonga Cook Islands is among the South Pacific's most enchanting destinations. Many liken it to the Hawaii of yesterday: an excellent holiday setting that is easy to discover, with plentiful accommodation, numerous good independent restaurants and enough attractions and day trips to stay occupied. Riding a moped around the island is a distinctive, exciting experience, with the wind in your hair as villages and colourful homes pass by amid fragrant, sweet-scented flowers.

Avarua, the Cook Islands' capital, stands on Rarotonga's northern coast a 15 minute walk from the tender landing. It offers several shops and restaurants plus standard facilities, including banks, a post office and grocery store.

Tour operators wait around the tender dock.

Mopeds are the most popular way to travel. A full day's hire costs just a few NZ$, so most tourists try one.

On the route to Avarua is a stop for the two buses circling the island every hour. A round-trip ticket costs $7ND, and either service can be taken because buses run in both directions. The circuit lasts about 45 minutes. Anti-clockwise buses pause for lunch and do not operate on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, early mornings or evenings. Clockwise buses do not run on Sunday evenings either. A sign at the front shows each bus's direction.

Activities include windsurfing, kayaking, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat trips, deep-sea fishing, swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. Muri Beach Lagoon is the island's most popular visitor destination for enjoying all kinds of water sports.

The colourful Punanga Nui Marketplace lies on the way to Avarua and opens on Saturdays.

The Cook Islands is the world's second-largest producer of black pearls.

The local currency is the New Zealand Dollar, supplemented by attractive, multi-shaped local coins and our unique Cook Island Three Dollar Note.

Wi-Fi hotspots are available in Avarua and now widespread at resorts, hotels and many restaurants. One is never more than a few minutes away, but none provides free access.

Everything closes on Sundays apart from a few restaurants.