Snorkelling Rarotonga | Black Rock, Reef Care & Cook Islands Marine Life

The Cook Islands has a way of slowing you down. You arrive thinking about the lagoon views, the warm water and the sunsets, then you put a mask on and realise there is a whole other world just a few metres from shore.

For me, snorkelling around Rarotonga was one of those moments where I forgot about everything else for a while. I had been in the water at Black Rock and there was life everywhere: schools of fish moving through the lagoon, sea cucumbers on the bottom, colourful tropical fish in every direction, and turtles out there too. I did not get any underwater photos because, honestly, I was too busy looking around and taking it all in.

It was not about ticking off a big attraction or racing from one thing to the next. It was just floating there, watching what was happening beneath me and feeling lucky to be in it. That is what Cook Islands snorkelling felt like to me.

My time snorkelling at Black Rock

Black Rock is already a special part of Rarotonga before you even get in the water. The black volcanic rocks against the white sand and blue lagoon are hard to beat. It is on the western side of the island and is often one of the calmer spots for snorkelling because of the prevailing south-easterly winds, although the ocean and weather still always have the final say.1

Getting in there, I was amazed at how much life was around. One minute I would be looking at a small group of brightly coloured fish, then I would turn and see another school moving through the water. The sea cucumbers were everywhere on the bottom, quietly doing their thing, and then seeing turtles out there made it even better.

A turtle encounter is one of those things you remember. The best thing we can do is give them space, stay calm, never touch or feed them, and let them carry on as they were. You are in their home, after all.

A few great snorkelling spots around Rarotonga

Black Rock was the spot that really stuck with me, but there are plenty of good options for snorkelling Rarotonga. Every day is different, so it is worth asking your accommodation, a local operator or someone who knows the conditions that day before you head in.

Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve is a well-known place on Rarotonga’s western side, with coral reef to explore in clear turquoise water. Muri Lagoon is another beautiful option, especially if you are staying on the eastern side; it is known for its corals, giant clams and big schools of tropical fish. If you are a confident snorkeller and conditions are right, the Tikioki area, often called Fruits of Rarotonga, has coral bommies and a big range of fish life. There can be current in this area, though, particularly with a south-easterly wind, so get current local advice and only enter the water when you are comfortable with the conditions.1

You do not need to rush around and do every one of them. Pick a spot, take your time and keep your eyes open. Sometimes it is the little things you notice first that end up being the best part.

Why looking after the reef matters

Being surrounded by that much sea life makes you think a bit differently about what we take into the water with us. The reef is not just there to look good in holiday photos. It is home to the fish, turtles and other marine life that make the lagoon feel so alive in the first place.

There are some easy things every visitor can do:

•Do not touch or stand on coral. Even when it looks solid, coral is a living animal and it is easily damaged.

•Give marine life space. Watch turtles and fish from a respectful distance, do not chase them and do not feed them.

•Take everything back out with you. This includes food wrappers, drink containers and anything else that does not belong in the lagoon.

•Wear a rash shirt or other UPF clothing. It is an easy way to protect yourself from the sun while reducing how much sunscreen needs to go into the water.

The sunscreen part is worth a little extra thought. The label “reef safe sunscreen” is not a guarantee by itself, so I would look at the ingredient list rather than just the front of the bottle. Where possible, consider a mineral sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide or non-nano titanium dioxide, and avoid ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. NOAA notes that some UV-filter chemicals can harm aquatic life, including corals, and recommends considering sunscreen without chemicals that can harm marine life, along with UPF clothing and shade.2

That does not need to be complicated or preachy. It is simply about making a few better choices before you jump in. The water around Rarotonga is magic, and I would love for my kids, their kids and every family visiting after us to find the same kind of life out there.

More than just a swim

I came away from Black Rock with that feeling you get when a place properly gets under your skin. The water was warm, the lagoon was full of life, and for a little while everything else just went quiet.

If you are planning a Cook Islands trip, make sure you leave enough time for slow days like this. Do not just see Rarotonga from the road. Get in the water, take your time, respect what is there and let the island do its thing.

If you would like help planning a Cook Islands holiday around the places and experiences that suit your family or your style of travel, you can start an itinerary enquiry here.