Swim With The Turtles Rarotonga





Description
We believe the ocean should be experienced safely, respectfully, and in its most natural state. Our tours are designed with a minimal-impact, eco-friendly approach, allowing you to enjoy Rarotonga’s marine life without disturbing the reef or its wildlife. Unlike some operations that rely on motorized equipment, our experience focuses on guided, human-powered snorkeling, creating a quieter, more natural encounter with turtles and other marine life. Safety is at the core of everything we do. Since 2018, we have maintained a 100% safety record, with experienced guides who carefully assess daily ocean conditions to select the best and safest locations for each tour. We intentionally operate in a way that prioritizes: Guest safety and comfort Protection of marine ecosystems A more authentic and immersive snorkeling experience By choosing this tour, you’re not only creating an unforgettable memory—you’re also supporting a more responsible way of exploring Rarotonga’s ocean environment.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(576)
4 of us booked and set off but only 2 of us completed the tour. Extremely large group numbers compared to staff. The 2 that completed enjoyed it and were told great photos of them specifically were taken and would be uploaded, however when the group photos were uploaded there were none of them. We are aware photos were an added bonus per the terms and conditions but being told that and then it not happening was just a let down. Such a shame.. 2nd time to raro so not newbies as such. Lots of loud comments by other staff during the tour about new staff members didn't make us feel confident. Would book a different tour next time.
This tour is amazing. BIG T is a great guide and the other guides made you feel safe when it was quite rough out in the passage. The amount of turtles is mind blowing and a truly magical experience. Worth every dollar. Also so glad they don't use boats or any other motorized things as that can't be good for the turtles and other sealife. The only downside is the number of people on the tour. Flippers everywhere. When I come back I will definitely do this tour again. Thanks for the experience
My partner and I visited Rarotonga last week and had a few different activities planned, swimming with the turtles was our final activity booked. We originally booked through trip advisor which caused to an issue with our activity start time. Trip advisor did not update the start time which Snorkel Cook Islands had changed due to the tides, which caused us to be 2hrs early! The operators were very helpful with this and suggested we go for a walk along the beach with a coffee while we wait. This activity was well worth the wait!! Snorkel Cook Islands was very entertaining, the staff were very friendly, helpful and fun. They accommodated the activity very well for guests with varied swimming confidence. The confident swimmers were at the front of the group, and the less confident were at the back with the lifeguards and had pool noodles available for assistance. After riding through the current, we were free to explore the area however we liked! Turtles were swimming all around the surface and shallow areas, but for more confident swimmers you could dive down and see the turtles sleeping and swimming in the deep areas. Even from the surface, you could see the large group of rays at the sea floor, it was so stunning!!! My partner and I loved this activity so much, that as soon as we got back to our accomodation, we booked it again for the next day. I would 10000% recommend this activity with Snorkel Cook Islands, I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!!!! My one advice would be to book directly through the provider's website, as they will keep you updated with any time changes that are made due to the tides, and provide a more thorough run through of what to expect and how to prepare before your activity. We booked our first visit through tripadvisor, and our second one through the Snorkel Cook Islands website - I'd definitely recommend the latter. If you or anyone you know is visiting Rarotonga, this is a must do activity!
Very kind and hospitable staff. They were so helpful with my children (11 & 8) making the experience fun and safe for everyone. Beautiful coral and amazing to see the turtles!
It's always so much fun seeing families experience the turtles together! We're so glad the kids enjoyed themselves and that our team could help everyone feel comfortable in the water. Thanks for choosing to spend part of your holiday with us!
The highlight of our trip to Rarotonga. Would definitely go again. Friendly staff, family oriented. Highly recommend.
Being the highlight of your Rarotonga trip is about the best compliment we could ask for! Thanks so much for your kind words. We'd love to welcome you back for another swim whenever you're on the island again!
Ensure you are a strong swimmer, the currents are quite strong and I found it a little challenging at times
Thank you for sharing your experience and advice. Avaavaroa Passage is an open ocean environment, and conditions can vary from day to day. We usually recommend the tour for confident swimmers and carry out a short swim assessment before heading out. Our experienced guides are always in the water to assist guests and ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience. The good news is that there are still many days when the passage is absolutely immaculate, and conditions are great that makes for an incredible snorkeling experience. We always encourage guests to choose the best weather window whenever possible to make the most of their time with the turtles. We're glad you joined us, and we hope seeing the turtles made the challenge worthwhile!
Very cool experience and great to see so many turtles and fish
We're so glad you enjoyed it! 🩵 There's nothing quite like seeing the turtles and all the colourful fish out there. Thanks for joining us!
Absolutely outstanding experience with Snorkel Rarotonga! From start to finish, everything exceeded expectations. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely passionate about sharing the beauty of Rarotonga's incredible marine environment. What really stood out was how supportive, patient, and accommodating the team was, especially for inexperienced snorkelers. They took the time to explain everything clearly, made sure everyone felt comfortable and confident in the water, and never rushed anyone. Their encouragement made the experience enjoyable and stress-free, no matter your skill level. I was equally impressed by their commitment to sustainability and protecting the reef ecosystem. Unlike many tours, they don't use boats or noisy sea scooters, allowing guests to experience the reef in a more natural way while minimizing disturbance to marine life. They also educate everyone on responsible snorkeling practices, encouraging guests to avoid touching coral or disturbing wildlife. Their respect for the ocean isn't just something they talk about—it's at the heart of everything they do. The snorkeling itself was breathtaking, with crystal-clear water, vibrant coral, and an incredible variety of tropical fish. Knowing the experience is designed to have such a low environmental impact made it even more meaningful. If you're looking for a world-class snorkeling adventure with a team that genuinely cares about both its guests and the marine environment, Snorkel Rarotonga is the perfect choice. Their passion, professionalism, and dedication to conservation make this an unforgettable experience. I can't recommend them highly enough and will definitely be back! 🌊🐠💙
Great Raro vibe and very professional with it.
Thank you so much for the 5 start review. We're glad to hear that!
Must do activity when visiting the island. Up close with marine life and coral gardens. Friendly service ensuring everyone had a fun and safe time 💗
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour. It was our pleasure to share this experience with you! We hope to welcome you back again for more island adventures! 🐢🌊



