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Girls week in Rarotonga!

THIS TOUR IS NOW SOLD OUT. IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE ON THE WAITLIST, DROP ME A LINE

Our week in Raro with the girls was such fun last year, we’re doing it again!

This year we’re going a little more upmarket…

12-19 October 2024

This year we’re staying at Manuia Beach Resort, and there will be more time for relaxing in our own pool and watching the sunsets from our beach. Oh, and it’s for girls only, because togs!

Megan in Raro with cocktail
I’d love you to join my Ladies Only week in Raro!

You might also like to read my post about things to know before you go to Rarotonga. And if you’re planning to visit and wondering if there’s much to do for active relaxers, I cover all the things in this post.

Does this sound like you?: sunshine, cocktails, swimming, snorkelling, markets, eating out… lots of free time to relax and a list of options you can pre-book like turtle snorkelling, a day trip to Aitutaki, lagoon cruises, spa treatments and more, then come join us!

Manuia Beach Resort beachfront pool

Manuia Beachfront Resort is fabulous for sunset happy hours and has the acclaimed OTB restaurant located right beside the pool, which is surrounded in deck chairs, loungers and beanbags and a cocktail is a mere wave away.

I have based the tour on a single person per room in a Premium Garden Suite. You can bring a friend and roomshare to save money, and you can also upgrade to beachfront, subject to availability.

The rooms are all air conditioned with plush sleepyhead beds, crisp linen, and your own private veranda. There is also a mini fridge, hair dryer (the important things!), tea and coffee making facilities, an outdoor shower and beds can be split into twins if you want to share with a friend.

On The Beach (OTB) restaurant at Manuia
On The Beach (OTB) restaurant at Manuia

We leave Auckland on a Saturday morning, and because the Cook Islands are 22 hours behind New Zealand, we arrive Friday afternoon to settle in and relax with a welcome dinner at OTB (above).

The Saturday morning Punanganui market is a must-see, so I’ve arranged a driver and bus and we’ll head there for some shopping, fresh smoothies, fruit and brekky, and a wander around in the morning.

Some might like to visit the local church on Sunday. We went last year and while the service was in Cook Island Maori, which we didn’t understand, the singing was what we went for and it didn’t disappoint with each of us being very moved.

Some might like to rent an ebike and have it for the week to tootle off at leisure.

Church in Rarotonga
Church in Rarotonga

Eating options in Raro

Two evening meals are included in this tour, and on the “free” nights I will check with everyone before we travel and make reservations, as our group is large and places get booked out.

We will dine at OTB and Antipodes (subject to availability), and I will also make suggestions to head to Trader Jacks, Charlies, Muri Night Market and more. We will run out of nights!

Easy dinner at Trader Jacks

How much money will I need?

You’ll need money for the five dinners that are not included, plus drinks and lunches, as you wish, depending on where we might be. You will also want cash for the Saturday market, and also the Muri Night Market, where we’ll have dinner Sunday night from the pop-up tents and food trucks.

You may like to add on some activities too, as below.

Fun activities to choose in Raro!

You can bring duty free alcohol and snacks into Rarotonga, but there is also a well-stocked supermarket that we can visit.

Closer to the time I will send out an activity sheet to prebook some of the experiences below:

Gorgeous dresses and kimonos at Punanganui Market
Gorgeous dresses and kimonos at Punanganui Market
  • Rent sea scooters to go snorkelling or wreck diving.
  • Go on a turtle snorkelling tour without sea scooters. (There are good beaches near Manuia for free snorkelling).
  • Rent e-bikes for a day or a few days and have them to use as you wish.
  • Take a day tour/flight out to Aitutaki and spend the day on the lagoon with lunch.
  • Take a glass bottom lagoon tour with lunch in the Muri Lagoon.
  • Go deep sea fishing. Everyone gets a share of what is caught, as the skipper decides.
  • Ride the bus “clockwise” and “anticlockwise” around Rarotonga and hang with the locals.
  • Go to church on Sunday.
  • Have dinner at the Muri Night Markets.
pina colada at the Nautilus
You’ve got to try one of these pina coladas at the Nautilus!

Ts & Cs

I have 16 places (10 rooms) available.

Confirm your spot with a deposit of $1000. Balance due June 11, 2023.

Cancellations within 40 days of the tour incur full payment. Travel insurance is a requirement. Please make your own arrangements for insurance and let me have your info before we travel.

You will need a passport with at least 6 months validity left.

A minimum of 12 people are required for this tour to go ahead. Max is 16. The cost is based on accepting terms and conditions of Air New Zealand Groups Travel, which means Airpoints cannot be used as payment.

Cost:

My tours are costed on one person per room, as I have found most of my guests really like their own rooms. However if you bring a friend and room share (in twin beds), they can come for $1000 less.

  • Per person in own room $5,400, includes flights.
  • Bring a friend to room share and they save $1000 ($4,400)

Total for 2: $9,800

  • Optional upgrade to beachfront $1000 own room, $500 for second person

What’s included:

  • 7 nights accommodation in a garden view suite
  • Return airfares ex Auckland flying Air New Zealand in a ‘works’ seat including a meal
  • Tropical buffet breakfast each morning
  • Free use of kayaks and snorkelling gear
  • Transfers to and from Rarotonga Airport
  • 2 fabulous evening meals (at OTB and Antipodes – drinks not included)
  • Driver and van to get around
  • Your host, Megan Singleton 😀

What’s not included:

  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Spending money for extra activities, shopping, cocktails
  • Other meals not already included

If you’d like to join me, please email megan@bloggeratlarge.com and I’ll send out the registration form. Your spot will be secured when your deposit is paid.

Kia orana!

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