Cook Islands Sports Travel Tips by catalysta

Theme: Fishing Trips

You don't have to motor for an hour to get to the deep waters for great fishing, it's all right close by. Rarotonga is surrounded by a shallow coral reef, but right outside of the reef, the water drops off hundreds of feet (with some sensational diving as well on the Wall)
Tuna, marlin, mahi-mahi, you name it, it's all there. Afterwards all the large fish caught are sold to the local restaurants. Go to Trader Jacks for the best catch-of-the-day, and eat what you caught superbly grilled, on the waterfront. As the sun sets, watch the local fishermen motor out of the harbor to spotlight flying fish that they net for bait.

Equipment: Sun block!!!!!

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Theme: Fishing Trips

...talk to the restaurant at your resort, and they just may do what they did for me - cook up a custom feast for you!
This was a 20 lb. tuna they considered too small to sell to Trader Jack's. The chef at the Rarotongan prepared a splendid meal, so Dar & I invited several other guests to join us.


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Theme: Scuba Diving

Though I hadn't yet started diving when I was there, some friends of mine visited the Cooks just last year and got their certifications while on an anniversary trip. They had an incredible experience with Cook Island Divers, including a thrilling shark dive (see next tip).

Equipment: The Dive Shop in Avarua has all the equipment you might need for diving or snorkeling, and they can line you out with a good dive shop as well.

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Address: Avarua
Website: http://cookpages.com/CookIslandDivers/

Theme: Scuba Diving

There's evidently a break in the reef where divers ride the currents past numerous sharks, to a spot just inside the reef where many of them rest - kind of a shark motel. Per Cook Island Divers, this photo from my friends' dive trip was taken at Avaavaroa Passage.

Pacific Divers ( a slightly smaller outfit that's also highly reccomended) has a great dive site description page on their website:
http://www.pacificdivers.co.ck/Dive%20Information.htm

Equipment: Bring as much or as little gear as you wish. As with most quality dive areas, the PADI dive shops on Rarontonga can supply you with all you need.

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Directions: Cook Island Divers is centrally located in the village of Arorangi, look for the big blue sign [opposite the Cultural Village Sign]

Pacific Divers is is on the main road at Muri, on the southeast of Rarotonga.
Website: http://www.cookislanddivers.com