Air Rarotonga
Air Rarotonga
5
Monday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Our Company Air Rarotonga Limited is a private Company registered in the Cook Islands. The Company was founded in 1978 and in 2023 celebrated 45 years of airline service. Our Sales and Call Centre, Aircraft Maintenance Division, and Administration are all based at Rarotonga International Airport and it is from here that we provide scheduled flights to Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro and Manihiki as well as chartered Turboprop and Jet flights to Penrhyn, Pukupuka, Apia (Tonga), Tongatapu and Vavau (Tonga), Niue, French Polynesia, Fiji and Kiribati (Christmas Island). Airline and maintenance operations are subject to continuous internal audit with external audits being undertaken periodically by New Zealand CAA on behalf of the Cook Islands Ministry of Transport.
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
496 reviews
Excellent
440
Very good
40
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Greg F
Auckland Central, New Zealand1,167 contributions
Oct 2019
I travelled with my partner and my parents for the Aitutaki Day Tour.
The service is as advertised with prompt pick up. drop off at the hotel.
The Airline, Air Rarotonga, service is very professional. The planes are new and the interior is very clean. Beautiful would be and understatement for the kind of views you get over the lagoon, no matter which side of the plane you are seated.
On arriving on Aituttaki, the day tour is wonderfully organised with a 1 hour ride around the town in the truck before boarding the Waka. Plenty of time and didn't feel too rushed. Of course I do understand they need to fit in quite a lot. Four stops while on the Waka, one for the beach, one walk through a small forest, one for snorkelling with the Giant Trevallies and the last and longest stop on One Foot Island (Don't forget to carry your passport for the stamp!). One foot Island is Jaw-droppingly Beautiful ! Overall, I would say the price tag is justified considereing the remoteness, the service, the activities included, the lunch. IT is truly a once in a lifetime experience and would highly recommend. Our guide Aly, needs special mention, who made the tour enjoyable informative and thoroughly entertaining.
The service is as advertised with prompt pick up. drop off at the hotel.
The Airline, Air Rarotonga, service is very professional. The planes are new and the interior is very clean. Beautiful would be and understatement for the kind of views you get over the lagoon, no matter which side of the plane you are seated.
On arriving on Aituttaki, the day tour is wonderfully organised with a 1 hour ride around the town in the truck before boarding the Waka. Plenty of time and didn't feel too rushed. Of course I do understand they need to fit in quite a lot. Four stops while on the Waka, one for the beach, one walk through a small forest, one for snorkelling with the Giant Trevallies and the last and longest stop on One Foot Island (Don't forget to carry your passport for the stamp!). One foot Island is Jaw-droppingly Beautiful ! Overall, I would say the price tag is justified considereing the remoteness, the service, the activities included, the lunch. IT is truly a once in a lifetime experience and would highly recommend. Our guide Aly, needs special mention, who made the tour enjoyable informative and thoroughly entertaining.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucy S
11 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
What a beautiful part of the world aitutaki is. From the moment we arrived , we were welcomed by smiling locals who were full of energy, ready to show us their home. We learnt the history of the island on a short round trip as we made our way to the boat. When we arrived at the boat it was an incredible , recently renovated and spacious barge. The toilets are clean and also recently updated. The Lagoon is flat so the cruising along to the island is really smooth. The islands are picture perfect! Crystal all clear water, white powdery sand untouched beaches. The water is warm, quite salty but makes for easy floating. Plenty of stops for swimming and sunbathing (can do this on the boat as well). Lunch was superb! Plenty of food, a range of salads from local produce, fish , grilled banana . If you are considering going on the aitutaki day tour, absolutely go! It’s well worth it!
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma W
Auckland, New Zealand761 contributions
Jun 2022
The day trip from Rarotonga to Aitutaki is pricey, but is absolutely worth it. A good alternative if you don't have the money or time to stay on Aitutaki.
The itinerary is perfectly planned out from the flights to the island bus tour and then onto the main event, the lagoon tour with the Vaka Cruise.
Lunch on the boat was delicious, with a huge range of island salads to go with bbq fish.
Both snorkeling spots cater for novices and the experienced, with the water going from waist deep to over 3m deep quite quickly.
We were lucky to have Ali as our tour guide, he is the perfect ambassador for his home of Aitutaki. Ali is a perfect mix of serious and silly and made the tour even more enjoyable.
The itinerary is perfectly planned out from the flights to the island bus tour and then onto the main event, the lagoon tour with the Vaka Cruise.
Lunch on the boat was delicious, with a huge range of island salads to go with bbq fish.
Both snorkeling spots cater for novices and the experienced, with the water going from waist deep to over 3m deep quite quickly.
We were lucky to have Ali as our tour guide, he is the perfect ambassador for his home of Aitutaki. Ali is a perfect mix of serious and silly and made the tour even more enjoyable.
Written July 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Todd W
3 contributions
Jan 2023
The trip is fantastic value for money, with the tour guide Paul being an absolute Rockstar for re-telling the history and the beauty of Aitutaki in a fun eventful way. The Lagoon is truly amazing and a must see experience - a true wonder of the natural world. The tour is absolutely worth the cost, and is one of the best, if not the best, value for money tourism experiences I have ever been one. Would I do it again? You bet!
Written January 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glen Whittaker
Christchurch, New Zealand37 contributions
Jun 2022
We have been to Rarotonga a few times already and can say the scenic flight around the Island is one of the best experiences we have had. It completely changes your appreciation of the interior and you find yourself looking away from the beach to the striking mountains more and more. It is also a much lower energy way of getting a close-up of Te Rua Manga than doing the Cross Island Walk! 4-seat Cessna 172 Skyhawk is very well maintained and our pilot Tiki was skilled and interesting. Thoroughly recommend this is you are on the Rock.
Written July 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Safiwi
Tirau, New Zealand71 contributions
Feb 2022
*Review for the Aitutaki Day Trip*
I'm sitting at my desk dreaming of being back on Aitutaki's stunning blue lagoon! This is one of those days that lives on in your mind well beyond the actual experience. We were hesitant to book at first, as it's quite an investment at $500 apiece, but in the end we're glad we took the plunge. The value you get is truly worth it.
Prompt and professional service makes the whole experience super easy - all you need to do is sit back and enjoy. Pick up and drop off to your accommodation, scenic flight and an unbelievable day in paradise with the Vaka cruise. Ali our tour leader had us in stitches right from when we were picked up at the airport! We loved seeing a little bit of the main island before boarding the boat to explore Aitutaki's lagoon. The unbelievable colour of the water is something I will never forget.
There was ample time for exploring three small islands and you can choose how you spend your time there - walking, exploring, swimming, snorkeling or hearing stories about each of the locations. The time on the boat is so relaxing (with great music from our crew!) and the lunch spread they put on was superb.
All in all, if you're thinking about booking this day - just do it! You won't regret it.
I'm sitting at my desk dreaming of being back on Aitutaki's stunning blue lagoon! This is one of those days that lives on in your mind well beyond the actual experience. We were hesitant to book at first, as it's quite an investment at $500 apiece, but in the end we're glad we took the plunge. The value you get is truly worth it.
Prompt and professional service makes the whole experience super easy - all you need to do is sit back and enjoy. Pick up and drop off to your accommodation, scenic flight and an unbelievable day in paradise with the Vaka cruise. Ali our tour leader had us in stitches right from when we were picked up at the airport! We loved seeing a little bit of the main island before boarding the boat to explore Aitutaki's lagoon. The unbelievable colour of the water is something I will never forget.
There was ample time for exploring three small islands and you can choose how you spend your time there - walking, exploring, swimming, snorkeling or hearing stories about each of the locations. The time on the boat is so relaxing (with great music from our crew!) and the lunch spread they put on was superb.
All in all, if you're thinking about booking this day - just do it! You won't regret it.
Written February 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
Auckland Central, New Zealand2 contributions
Nature in its purest form, vitamin sea and happy people, opened our eyes to what life has to offer!!
Aug 2022
From pick up to the drop off at the end of the day was so smooth.
Paul, our guide did an amazing job. He communicated to us the plans for the day clearly and shared with us his cultural knowledge, and local habits and history. The turquoise waters of the atoll, sea birds and marine life, they were all there for us to experience, couldn’t have been more relaxing!
Paul gave us the Island tour, and during the boat cruise he joined the wonderful crew playing the ukulele and singing along. At the en, after a day of sightseeing, cruising, swimming and eating beautiful local delicacies, we found lots of us dancing and with big smiles on our faces.
I would fly again with Air Rarotonga.
Vaka day cruise, staff and service are gold!
Paul, our guide did an amazing job. He communicated to us the plans for the day clearly and shared with us his cultural knowledge, and local habits and history. The turquoise waters of the atoll, sea birds and marine life, they were all there for us to experience, couldn’t have been more relaxing!
Paul gave us the Island tour, and during the boat cruise he joined the wonderful crew playing the ukulele and singing along. At the en, after a day of sightseeing, cruising, swimming and eating beautiful local delicacies, we found lots of us dancing and with big smiles on our faces.
I would fly again with Air Rarotonga.
Vaka day cruise, staff and service are gold!
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele H
Auckland Central, New Zealand4 contributions
Jul 2023
We flew Air Rarotonga this year on our day trip to Aitutaki. We've flown Air Raro several times now, having been to Aitutaki before in recent years. Every time, the airline has provided exemplary service - very professional staff, comfortable aircraft, very safe and wonderful flights. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Air Raro, and look forward to flying with them again (hopefully many times!) in future. For anyone looking for a truly memorable "island lagoon" experience, I highly recommend one of the several lagoon cruises available on Aitutaki. The beauty of Aitutaki lagoon cannot be overstated, it is the stuff dreams are made of. Snorkelling, turtles, Giant Trevally, the clearest water you've ever seen. Fabulous tropical "island style" lunch, absolutely delicious, amazing entertainment on board from the captains and crew with wonderful music and singing. The best day out!
Written August 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angie
9 contributions
Aug 2021
pick was on time at 7am and drop off was at 5:30pm & on time as well. very good organisation with times and flights. Friendly staff from driver to Aitutaki Day Trip.
I did my booking from New Zealand with Air Rarotonga, very efficient with details and updating our schedule. Thank you
I did my booking from New Zealand with Air Rarotonga, very efficient with details and updating our schedule. Thank you
Written August 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann C
Melbourne, Australia73 contributions
Sep 2022
I flew Air Rarotonga on a day trip to Aitutaki then had a fantastic day with the Vaka Cruise team. Easy check in and flight to Aitutaki then spent a fantastic day with Ali and the crew cruising to 3 different islands. Lunch was provided and was very tasty with lots of options. There was also fantastic music to keep us entertained throughout the day. I am so glad I was able to go on this day trip to Aitutaki it was the highlight of my holiday with lots of photos taken if I ever go back to the Cook Islands I would stay 2 - 3 days on Aitutaki as the cruise only scratched the surface of this beautiful island. I loved every moment of the day. It's not cheap but for me it was worth every cent. My best tip is to book early as seats are limited and you don't want to miss this
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hallo, gibt es in Rarotonga im Flughafen eine Gepäckaufbewahrung oder wieviel Gepäck kann man im Flug mitnehmen bzw. ist frei? Danke schön
Written February 19, 2020
Wenn Sie von Raro mit Air Raro zu einer der anderen Inseln fliegen, können Sie Ihr internationales Reisegepäck von Air Raro zu einem sehr günstigen Preis aufbewahren lassen. Einfach beim Checkin abgeben. Gepäck im Flugzeug 23 und 7kg wie sonst auch, nur die Flieger sind sehr klein. Und es nützt Ihnen auch nichts, wenn die Kiste mit dem Brot für Sie nicht mitkommt ... das wird auf einige Inseln für die Touristen auch eingeflogen. Dass es Ihr Brot war, merken Sie, wenn Sie feststellen, dass Sie gerade der einzige Tourist auf der Insel sind. Daher besser das Angebot von Air Raro annehmen und soviel Gepäck wie möglich in RAR lassen. Alle Infos auf der Website von Airraro. Viel Spass, ich will da auch baldmöglichst wieder hin.
Written March 14, 2020
Is there anywhere to shower the sand and seawater off ourselves before returning to Raro? We’re thinking about booking this on our final day because hotel checkout is 10 AM and the flight back to Los Angeles departs close to midnight. Would be an amazing way to spend the final day...provided we can get in a shower before the long flight back.
Written September 16, 2019
Sorry have only just seen this, quite a few of the resorts near the airport have outdoor showers & most welcome non guests... The Edgewater is awesome for this & 10 mins from airport 👍
Written October 22, 2019
Is it possible to do the day trip to Aitutaki, but return a few days later? I'd like to explore the island a bit longer. Apart from the accommodation, would it cost more?
Written November 30, 2017
Kia Orana Globalguy,
the Aitutaki Day tour is build around taking the same number of handbaggage only passengers to Aitutaki and bring them back on a designated flight.
However you can look out for our $181 year round Seat+bag fares and then book The Vaka Cruise (which is the same cruise) on their web site - this will work out the same amount per passenger and you can take your bags to Aitutaki.
On the Air Raro web site (on a desktop PC or Tablet) please tick the 'fare calendar' box which shows the lowest fares across a whole week.
I hope this answers your question and thank you for considering the beautiful island of Aitutaki in your holiday plans.
Kia Manuia
Marcus
Written December 6, 2017
What side of the plane is the best to sit on when flying into Aitutaki?
Thank you!
Written May 10, 2017
Only just seen your question...hope it's not to late. I would say the left as the two weeks we were there most planes approached from the south.
Written June 15, 2017
What's the cost of the trip? Should I book from Australia or wait till I get to Rarotonga? How many people of such a trip/flight normally?
Written September 27, 2016
I booked from Australia cause the plane is small and I didn't want to miss out cause I wasn't able to be flexible with days.
I think it's $500 for the day which is totally worth every cent. Transfers, flights, lunch and day tour all included.
Written October 3, 2016
tanzy2015
Gisborne, New Zealand
How much per person for day trip to Aitutaki? Do u have group discounts? How many can book for group?in the day trip, do we get to go on boat and do some snorkelling? In the day trip , can we go to 1 foot island? Is lunch included in the day trip?
Written May 20, 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.