THE SANCTUARY RAROTONGA-ON THE BEACH
THE COOK ISLANDS
Words and photos Daniel Resnik
A six-hour flight from Sydney and you’re landing in Rarotonga the largest of fifteen islands in the Cook Islands and it’s only 32 kilometres in circumference.
World famous cobalt coloured lagoon
Rimmed with coconut palmed fringed white sandy beaches and reefs full of azure coloured water.
Locals tell you when you arrive all watches should be discarded and instantly get reset onto Cook Island time.
Getting around the island is quite simple there is one road and a bus leaves five minutes past the hour in a clockwise direction and fifteen minutes past the hour another bus goes in an anti-clockwise direction.
Local fruit sellers
Like the buses the locals are very unrushed and move as most Pacific Islanders do at island pace. And in this case Cook Island pace takes Island time to another level.
Kayaking Aroa Beach
Scooters though are the most popular form of transport and in the Cook Islands at this time of my visit helmets are not compulsory but my advice would be don’t ride without one.
There is much to do in Rarotonga from Island tours, which give you an insight to Cook Island life, water activities, which includes see through bottom boats, snorkelling/scuba diving, kite surfing, kayaking and fishing trips. For the more adventurous there’re physical tours that take in the tropical hilly centre where hikes take you to lookouts with extraordinary views. Or do what I did and plant myself on each of the beaches we stayed at and baked, (slip, slopped and slapped of course), swam, slept, ate and drank and did it all again.
This month featured resort:
The Sanctuary Rarotonga-On The Beach is perfectly located on Aroa Beach. What makes this hotel such a standout when so many hotels are available is this gorgeous resort is a ‘adults only’ haven.
Sunset cocktails
No happy, crying, screaming kids going nuts around the pool while you’re trying to read, rest and relax and sip late afternoon cocktails.
Hammock heaven
Now don’t get me wrong I love children and right next door is the Rarotongan Resort, which is a family friendly resort.
The Sanctuary has its own private beach and from our beachfront luxury room the post card perfection and exquisite colour of the world famous lagoon ensures that most of your time here is spent involved in water activities.
Rooms with spectacular views
Aroa lagoon has been named the Lagoon of Love and is also one of Rarotonga’s best snorkelling spot, the Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve.
Indulge yourself in this adults-only, absolute beachfront 4.5 star boutique resort.
THINGS TO DO:
Stand up paddling
Kite surfing
Fishing
Snorkelling/Scuba Diving
Cross-island hikes
Full island tours
Glass bottom boat tours
4 Wheel drive tours
The Te punanga Saturday markets
Night markets Muri Beach
Island bar hopping bus
HOW TO BOOK ACCOMMODATION:
HOW TO GET THERE:
Vicki Gilden at Rose Bay Travel (02) 9371 8166