Rarotonga Lagoon Cruise with Snorkelling and Fresh Fish BBQ

Muri Beach and Muri Lagoon

Muri is the most famous stretch of coast on Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook Islands. On the south-east side of the island the reef sits far offshore, creating a wide, shallow lagoon of pale turquoise water over white sand, dotted with four small islets known as motu. The water is calm and warm, which makes it perfect for swimming, kayaking and snorkelling.

Your day begins at a beach hut on Muri Beach, where drummers welcome you before you board. If you are wondering how to get to Muri Beach, the round-island bus stops nearby and taxis are easy to arrange; a Muri Lagoon cruise is the easiest way to see the lagoon, the motu and the reef life in one morning.

The marine reserve and its giant clams

Part of the lagoon is protected as a marine reserve, and the difference is easy to see: giant clams with shimmering blue, green and purple mantles lie among the coral, and parrotfish, wrasse, butterflyfish and surgeonfish swim right up to the boat. Through the glass panels in the hull you can watch the sea floor glide past even before you get wet.

At the reserve you slip into the water with the snorkel gear provided and spend time over the coral; the crew feeds the fish, so they gather around you in clouds. With luck you may meet a large resident moray eel. The water is shallow and calm, so Rarotonga snorkelling here is ideal for beginners and children who can swim.

Motu Koromiri and the fresh fish BBQ

Koromiri is one of the four motu in Muri Lagoon, a small sandy islet shaded by coconut palms with views back to the jagged green peaks of Rarotonga. There is nothing here but sand, trees and water, which is exactly the appeal: it feels like the South Pacific of postcards.

Lunch is a Raro-style fresh fish BBQ, grilled on the motu and served with side salads and local tropical fruit such as pawpaw, banana and pineapple. Afterwards there is time to swim from the beach or lie in the shade before the shows begin. Bring a towel, sunscreen and a camera, because the light on the lagoon in the early afternoon is beautiful.

Island music and Cook Islands culture

Music is part of everyday life in the Cook Islands, famous across the Pacific for its drumming and its ukulele and string-band songs. On the motu a local string band plays island tunes while lunch is served, and the hosts then put on a series of entertaining shows full of humour.

You watch a local climb a coconut palm barefoot in seconds, see how a coconut is husked on a sharpened stake and opened for its water and flesh, and learn several ways to tie a pareu, the colourful wrap worn across Polynesia. It is a fun and genuine introduction to island culture and a favourite with families. It is also a chance to ask the hosts about village life on the island.

Rarotonga and the best time to visit

Rarotonga is a compact volcanic island ringed by a reef and a coastal road of about 32 kilometres, with the small capital Avarua on its north coast. Its mountainous interior is covered in rainforest, while the coast is lined with beaches, villages and lagoons, so most activities are only a short drive apart.

The best time to visit Rarotonga is from May to October, the cooler and drier season with steady trade winds and sunny days. November to April is warmer and more humid, with more rain and the chance of tropical cyclones, but the lagoon stays inviting all year and this cruise runs in most weather. Bring a light rain jacket in the wetter months, just in case.