At Ariki Adventures, we’re passionate about providing unforgettable adventure tours that are both eco-friendly and sustainable. From Sea Scooter adventures to Turtle tours, Ocean Drift snorkeling, and Whale Watching, we offer a range of tour options to suit every taste. With award-winning tours, expert guides, and top-of-the-line equipment, there’s no better way to experience the magic of the ocean.

The Onu Experience

T$139 Per Person (max of 4 people on Bartercard)

OVERVIEW: Experience swimming with two of the four Sea Turtles species native to the Cook Islands. We take you into their natural marine environment, close enough to touch, but our sustainable tourism policies mean we only allow touching with your eyes.

Their home is not just home to Sea Turtles, we may encounter Eagle Rays, Moray Eels, Trevally, and the hundreds of species of tropical fish. You’ll learn about our coral reefs, the habitat and what we are doing to protect this resource for future generations.

HIGHLIGHTS: Your first encounter with a Sea Turtle in the wild is one of the most amazing experiences you can have. We say the experience is “Surprise, Amazement, Love”. Surprise when you see your first turtle in their habitat. Amazement at how graceful and peaceful they are. Followed by falling in love with turtles, which hopefully sets you on a path of education and conservation with us. We have had occasions where Sea Turtles swim with us for long periods, it can be a truly humbling experience. Another amazing experience is seeing up to thirty Eagle Rays swimming below us. They are perfectly safe and it is breath-taking to watch these majestic creatures.

You are welcome to take your own underwater cameras and we post a few images on our own social media sites for you to share with friends. If you enjoyed our Turtle Safari, check out our other sea scooter safaris including our Premium Turtle Sea Scooter Safari, the Ocean Drift Snorkeling, and Lagoon Discovery Safaris.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Meeting Location: Avaavaroa, south coast.  Follow our Google Map link here.#5 is our carpark and #6 is the beach meeting location.
Duration: Allow 2 hours, you are in the water for an hour.

Lagoon Discovery Sea Scooter Safari

T$140 per person (Max of 4 people on Bartercard)

OVERVIEW: Perfect family fun! If you or the kids love the lagoons but aren’t quite ready for the ocean or the passages then our Lagoon Discovery is perfect for your group.
Explore the wonders of our lagoon entirely within the safety of the reef. No fish with big teeth in here! You’ll sea scooter through what we call the “Coral Canyons” and through schools of tropical fish as we head out towards the reef. We’ll be pointing out points of interest along the way. We can encounter Moray Eels, Bluefin & Blackfin Trevally, Eagle Rays and if you are lucky we often see our Sea Turtles. You’ll see the Giant Clams we call “Paua” and see how we are trying to repopulate the lagoon with these now protected species.
You’ll learn about our coral reefs, the habitat and what we are doing to protect this resource for future generations. As the Eco-Adventure Tourism Award Winner in 2020, you can trust that our tours are eco-friendly and that your safety is our number one priority. Every client gets to use our unique eco-friendly sea scooters to pull you through the water and assist you during your tour.

HIGHLIGHTS: ​Sea Scootering the Coral Canyons is absolute fun. We give you a chance towards the end of the Safari to explore by yourself.
Ever seen a Moray Eel close up? If we are lucky we will get to see one of these fantastic eels. Did you know there are over 200 species of Moray Ell in the Cook Islands?
We feed the fish and you’ll get to experience the Bluefin Trevally during a feeding frenzy.
Riding our eco-friendly sea scooters is also a lot of fun and they are also a safety tool unique to Ariki Adventures.

​​IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Meeting Location:Our meeting point is on the south coast in Tikioki. Follow our google map link here.   Number 4 is the meeting location site.
Duration: Allow 2 hours

Turtle Sea Scooter Safari

T$189 Per person (max of 4 people on Bartercard).

OVERVIEW: Experience swimming with two of the four Sea Turtles species native to the Cook Islands. We take you into their natural marine environment, close enough to touch, but our sustainable tourism policies mean we only allow touching with your eyes.
Their home is not just home to Sea Turtles, we may encounter Eagle Rays, Moray Eels, Trevally, and the hundreds of species of tropical fish. You’ll learn about our coral reefs, the habitat and what we are doing to protect this resource for future generations.
As the Eco-Adventure Tourism Award Winner in 2020, you can trust that our tours are eco-friendly and that your safety is our number one priority. Every client gets to use our unique eco-friendly sea scooters to pull you through the water and assist you during your tour.

HIGHLIGHTS: ​Your first encounter with a Sea Turtle in the wild is one of the most amazing experiences you can have. We say the experience is “Surprise, Amazement, Love”. Surprise when you see your first turtle in their habitat. Amazement at how graceful and peaceful they are. Followed by falling in love with turtles, which hopefully sets you on a path of education and conservation with us. We have had occasions where Sea Turtles swim with us for long periods, it can be a truly humbling experience. Another amazing experience is seeing up to thirty Eagle Rays swimming below us. They are perfectly safe and it is breath-taking to watch these majestic creatures. Riding our eco-friendly sea scooters is also a lot of fun and they are also a safety tool unique to Ariki Adventures.
Photos are generally available 48 hours after your tour.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Meeting Location: Avaavaroa, south coast.  Follow our Google Map link  here.  #5 is our carpark and #6 is the beach meeting location.
Duration: Allow 2 hours

Ocean Drift Snorkeling Safari

Standard T$149pp (without sea scooter) (Max of 4 people on Bartercard)
Sea Scooter Option T$199pp (Max of 4 people on Bartercard)

OVERVIEW: Experience ocean snorkeling like never before. When drift snorkeling, you’ll begin at one spot and finish at another.
We’ll take you to the underwater reef resting place of a 100 year old shipwreck only 5 meters below the surface. You will get to experience marine life beyond the reef. The clarity of the deep, hues of electric blue and a marine wonderland where everything is possible. amazing clarity. See the “Coral Gardens” just outside the reef where it’s possible to swim with turtles, Puffer fish, Reef Sharks and more.
Our drift snorkeling safari’s launch from our purpose designed dive boat that will drop you off in the ocean and then meet you at a designated pick up point when it’s time to end your journey. Don’t worry, our professional Adventure Guides are with you every step of the way and our boat is never far away. Whew….
You’ll learn about our coral reefs, the habitat and what we are doing to protect this resource for future generations. As the Eco-Adventure Tourism Award Winner in 2020, you can trust that our tours are eco-friendly and that your safety is our number one priority. NOTE: This tour is without sea scooters.​

HIGHLIGHTS: Ever seen a shipwreck close up? While on a voyage from San Francisco to Wellington, the RMS Maitai was shipwrecked just outside of Avarua Harbour in Rarotonga on December 25th, 1916. After over 100 years of resting just below the surf zone, this shipwreck is now part of the reef.
The Coral Gardens are a uniquely beautiful nature reef formation just outside our northern reef. In the right light the colours of the coral are amazing.  It is home to Sea Turtles, Moray Eels, Reef Sharks and hundred of species of fish.
If you are truly lucky you may get to encounter a Humpback Whale. Peak whale season is considered mid-June through October. During this time, we can often hear their singing before an encounter. While there are no guarantees, it is truly a magical experience if you are one of the lucky ones.  Riding our eco-friendly sea scooters is also a lot of fun and they are also a safety tool unique to Ariki Adventures.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Departs: Avarua Harbour, downtown. Adventurer is berthed there.
Duration: Allow 2.5-3 hours.
​Return Point: As above.

CANCELLATION POLICY
​Cancel at least 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.
Cancellations within 24 hours are not subject to refund unless COVID 19 related or due to a serious medical condition. Being hungover is not considered a serious medical condition.
Please note that the passage where the turtles live is subject to rough conditions from time to time. The weather, tide, swell and wind conditions on any given day may require us to cancel or postpone your tour for safety reasons. We will do our best to reschedule you on another sea scooter safari, or we will provide  you with a refund.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS 
Swim Ability: All guests must be able to swim comfortably in the sea, and be comfortable in deep water.
​​Minimum Age: Minimum age is 7 years old but subject to Crew Chief approval. Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
​Medical conditions: These must be declared to us at the time of booking so we can assess the situation. This will not necessarily preclude you, however we may have to insist on safety measures. ​
Disabilities: We have experience in taking out guests with disabilities. Please ask so we can consider the situation and if we can make it happen safely, we will!
​Not recommended for pregnant guests