Aroa Marine Reserve
Aroa Marine Reserve
4.5
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4.5
219 reviews
Excellent
171
Very good
41
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Miriam H
6 contributions
Jul 2019
As a whole, the waters around Raro are beautiful. The marine life never dulls you and your always on the look out for Nemo and his friends. Snorkel is a must as is wearing your water shoes. If you go out a little further you may well see a turtle. Not really a place if your after swimming like at the beach or pool, more of an adventure swim. The weather at this time of year is still very warm.
Written 19 January 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.
ERDFirefighter
Edmonton, Canada849 contributions
Jan 2020
Fantastic snorkeling. The best snorkeling is 2/3 of the way to the reef. Never really gets deep. Numerous schools of fish with 20 to 50 fish in each school. Right next to the Rarotonga Resort. Great beach as well.
Written 20 January 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.
DrDanz
Palmerston North, New Zealand48 contributions
Apr 2022
I have snorkelled in may so called "best" places in the world (Red sea/Mexico/Fiji/Australia) but this ranks well above anywhere else. It is hard to believe the amazing range of fish and coral you can see a few meters off the beach and it is totally free! There are no nasty bigger creatures as the reef keeps them at bay. We went twice and saw different types of fish on each occasion. Highly recommended.
Written 29 April 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.
Shaelah Youngman
Christchurch, New Zealand56 contributions
Jun 2022
We went to Rarotonga on our honeymoon and picked up a map from the airport which had marked all the great snorkelling spots around the island. This was by far the best bit to stop - as the beach was nice plus it gets quite deep which makes it great to see all the marine life. Highly reccommend!
Written 13 June 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.
amandacB4460VQ
Mapua, New Zealand35 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
We had a fantastic time snorkelling all around the reserve. So many fish, you don’t know where to look. We came across a huge shoal of trevally just hanging in the water, totally unconcerned by our presence. We were told this was the best snorkelling in the island and it’s certainly the best I’ve experienced so far.
Written 21 August 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.
Sara B
56 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Best snorkelling spot on Island (apart from passages which you need to do with a guide). We saw a huge range of fish (snowflake eel, peacock flounder, huge range of butterfly fish, needle fish, cornet fish, trigger fish, moray eel, big schools of a range of fish… the list goes on )Best spot is the far end of beach from the Rarotongan resort. There is public access here opposite Kavaea burger place) wear reef shoes as we have seen a stone fish here.
Written 23 July 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.
Angela J
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand15 contributions
Apr 2022
Aroa Marine Reserve took my breath away. We went there three days in a row. Two of the days the water was like glass. Lots of wonderful fish to see - make sure you take snorkel gear. We had reef shoes. Great swimming and beautiful beach. Love, love loved!
Written 1 May 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.
The_Dive_Centre
Rarotonga34 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
The Aroa Marine Reserve is one of the oldest reserves here in Rarotonga. With only a depth of 1 1/2 to 3 meters it is a very safe place for snorkeling.
we have over 70 different species to look at. Everyone is most welcome to enjoy the snorkeling there and make a difference!!
there are a couple of things you can do to protect our beautiful lagoon!
What You Can Do
• Make sure your gear fits properly, is comfortable and adjusted before you go in the water! If you need to make adjustments, find a sandy area to stand or swim back to shore.
•When snorkeling, stay horizontal and float OVER the reef!
• Observe animals exhibiting their natural behaviors rather than stimulate them to entertain.
•No need for feeding bread or other food to the fish – instead bang two little stones/rocks together.
Thank you for looking after our lagoon !!!
Take nothing but memories and leave nothing but bubbles
we have over 70 different species to look at. Everyone is most welcome to enjoy the snorkeling there and make a difference!!
there are a couple of things you can do to protect our beautiful lagoon!
What You Can Do
• Make sure your gear fits properly, is comfortable and adjusted before you go in the water! If you need to make adjustments, find a sandy area to stand or swim back to shore.
•When snorkeling, stay horizontal and float OVER the reef!
• Observe animals exhibiting their natural behaviors rather than stimulate them to entertain.
•No need for feeding bread or other food to the fish – instead bang two little stones/rocks together.
Thank you for looking after our lagoon !!!
Take nothing but memories and leave nothing but bubbles
Written 4 September 2013
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.
jjluke
Calgary, Canada2,047 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
Definitely one of the most beautiful beaches on Rarotonga. Access to the beach is across from Kaena Restaurant. You can get to the beach between the rocks on the south end. There is a simple water station on site to shower and wash off the saltwater from your gear. Walking further down south on the beach down toward the Rarotongan, we found the sand and sights to be a bit nicer.
Great for picture taking and snorkeling (if the weather co-operates). There are places to rent snorkel gear close by. Aro’a is a nature preserve on Rarotonga so when it is good, there are ample opportunities to catch lots of sea life.
Please kindly indicate if you found this review to be helpful, as it will help me focus on my future review efforts! Safe travels!!
Great for picture taking and snorkeling (if the weather co-operates). There are places to rent snorkel gear close by. Aro’a is a nature preserve on Rarotonga so when it is good, there are ample opportunities to catch lots of sea life.
Please kindly indicate if you found this review to be helpful, as it will help me focus on my future review efforts! Safe travels!!
Written 11 September 2018
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.
Bima77
Queen Charlotte288 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
The opportunities for good snorkeling in the Rarotonga Lagoon are quite limited, due to shallow water or breaks in the reef, so it's really important to preserve the few choice spots. Aside from walking on or finning the coral, one of the most damaging human behaviors is feeding the fish.
Several posts here advocate throwing bread in the water to attract fish. This is harmful for several reasons. First, fish aren't designed to eat bread, peas, or whatever else you're using for chum, and the fact that they can and will eat it doesn't mean they can safely digest it. Second, feeding fish unnaturally favors certain species over others. Where fish have been fed, aggressive feeders like chubs will proliferate at the expense of other species, warping the ecology of the reef.
Finally, you'll see plenty of fish, behaving in their normal way, by simply swimming a little distance. If you're too lazy to do that, go to an aquarium. Don't pervert or destroy what you came to see.
Several posts here advocate throwing bread in the water to attract fish. This is harmful for several reasons. First, fish aren't designed to eat bread, peas, or whatever else you're using for chum, and the fact that they can and will eat it doesn't mean they can safely digest it. Second, feeding fish unnaturally favors certain species over others. Where fish have been fed, aggressive feeders like chubs will proliferate at the expense of other species, warping the ecology of the reef.
Finally, you'll see plenty of fish, behaving in their normal way, by simply swimming a little distance. If you're too lazy to do that, go to an aquarium. Don't pervert or destroy what you came to see.
Written 24 February 2017
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.
Can you rent snorkeling gear there?
Written 27 August 2018
Not sure- we rented snorkeling gear for our whole trip- it’s a lot more convenient and less expensive that way.
Written 31 August 2018
Adair P
Melbourne, Australia
Hi - which company did you go with and how much was it?
Written 26 March 2018
Booked through a company called Pure Traveller they are gold coast bases but very good travelled Air New Zealand direct to rarotonga stayed at Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa would recommend this hired a car from Raro car rentals quite cheap
Written 22 July 2018
Can you rent snorkel equipment?
Written 20 November 2017
I would recommend you go to your local dive shop, all you will require are snorkelling fins, mask and snorkel. To make your experience pleasant try on different masks etc and you will be set for many years. My wife and I have used the same gear over the last 12 years. The better quality units are light and easy to pack. Good fortune in your adventure to this wonderful island.
Written 17 January 2018
What sort of public transit takes you to the best beaches?
Written 22 June 2017
There are hourly buses around the island, one going clockwise, the other anti-clockwise, throughout the day. You can be dropped off and picked up right there.
Written 27 June 2017
Is the night snorkel a guided tour and if so do I book direct?
Written 5 April 2017
Hi, apologises for taking so long to answer. I didn't do the night snorkel, even though I had intended to. The night snorkel was a guided tour and if I had gone I would have booked via the Rarotongan Resort and Spa, as the tours left from there. But be aware that it is weather and tide dependant.
Written 15 May 2017
Hi Carolin. Who was your tour guide and would you recommend we make the arrangements for a night tour after arrival?
Written 15 September 2015
No its free, plenty of fish from small to about 450mm long lots of variety, you have to swim about 250m off shore to get to the best bits, go on an outward going tide for the best results, wear crocks or reef shoes as there have been some stone fish about, shuffle feet through the water if walking. Don't stand on the coral! And stay away from it as its easy to get pushed onto it when you are watching the fish. ☺
Written 22 September 2016
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