where is the best/safest snorkeling on the island

Answered by Sabine Janneck & Sascha Schmitt , Arorangi, Cook Islands

Kia Orana,

snorkelling in Rarotonga is lovely. in general the snorkeling around the south-west, south, south-east is the best. look for the marine reserves...
the deeper parts you will find in titikaveka and fruits of rarotonga (4-5 meters deep) but it is quite a long swim out to the reef. the aroa marine reserve is shallow, only 2-3 meters deep but you don't have to swim out that far.
stay away from the passages on the south side, this can be dangerous.
inside the lagoon you will find lots of different fish, more than 100 different kind of fish (octopus, moray eels, trigger fish, parot fish, flounders, butterfly fish etc) but not a big amount of soft corals. rarotonga have a big amount of beautiful hard corel formations.
please have in mind not to walk on the reef and there is no need to feed the fish. if you wish more informations just stop by at the dive centre - the big fish, we are more than happy to show you all different spots on the island.
kia manuia