West Rarotonga Accommodation

a typical rarotongan beach

The West coast of Rarotonga is one long stretch of sandy beach backed by a mix of ironwood trees and coconut palms with plenty of small resorts and self-catering bungalows. Being leeward side of the island, it is also protected from the prevailing winds and tropical sunsets are a definite plus.

The following guide for accommodation on West Rarotonga moves in an anticlockwise (north-south) direction.

North-West Rarotonga

The west coast starts at Black Rock in the north, opposite the 9-hole public Rarotongan Golf Course. Black Rock is an excellent swimming and snorkelling spot and is a good place to spot humpback whales when they visit the island between June and October. Heading inland a sealed road winds up the mountains to the Rarotonga Hospital. Beyond, a dirt road continues to a plateau with a good lookout and makes a great place to explore by foot and take in the sweeping views over the coastline. On the northern portion of the west coast are a handful of small bungalows properties, two boutique resorts, the largest resort in the Cook Islands (The Edgewater), and six good independent restaurants which are all within walking distance of each other.

Arorangi Village

Lying in the heart of the west coast is Arorangi Village, the largest village in Rarotonga. There are a couple of boutique shops along the road selling local arts and craft and village stores for buying fod supplies. The village sprawls along the road for about two kilometres.

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