Rarotonga

Ease into a relaxed island state of mind at Saturday morning's Punanga Nui Market. Luscious fruit smoothies crammed with local papaya and mango team with fresh coconut buns, while authentic dishes include maroro (grilled flying fish) and rukau (tender taro leaves mixed with coconut cream). Stallholders sell local arts and crafts – including handicrafts and colourful ukuleles – and there's often live music and dancing to take in. It's a great place to catch up with local tour operators and plan your stay on the island. Don't forget to sample the refreshing juice from a nu (fresh coconut).

Both Rarotonga and the Cooks' northern island of Aitutaki offer superb marine experiences. Recommended snorkelling locations around Rarotonga include Black Rock and Tikioki, while Muri Lagoon is popular for paddle-boarding and kite-surfing. Negotiating the lagoon at Avaavaroa Passage to spot sea turtles is made easier with Ariki Adventures' underwater sea scooters. Renowned underwater photographer Charlotte Piho also offers unique experiences to view Rarotonga's turtles. The sparkling waters of Aitutaki's world-renowned lagoon are best explored by catamaran.

Rarotonga's classic outdoor adventure is the Cross Island Trek. Traverse from north to south to reach Te Rua Manga ('The Needle'), and finish with a cooling and shaded swim at Papua (Wigmore's Waterfall). Exciting and often mud-strewn off-road adventures with Raro Buggy Tours also end at Papua. A more relaxing two-wheeled experience, Storytellers Eco Cycle Tours travel Rarotonga's inland roads past plantations and orchards and offer insights into local Cook Islands culture. For scenic 4WD experiences imbued with irresistible Cook Islands humour, contact Raro Safari Tours.

Traditional Pasifika music and dance and Cook Islands cuisine all feature at an Island Night on Rarotonga. Enjoy an island buffet and food cooked in an umukai (underground earth oven), before being dazzled by an extravagant combination of stirring South Pacific beats and spirited harmonies. Many resorts offer Island Nights, but the most authentic experiences, with insights into the Cook Islands’ fascinating history and legends, are lagoon-side at Te Vara Nui Village, and at the spectacular hillside Highland Paradise Cultural Centre.

Indulge in the ultimate in South Pacific relaxation. Enjoy a massage on the beach or ease into a spa treatment at Rumours, an award-winning waterfall day spa. Take it easy in a beachside hammock, or get (slightly) more active by signing up for paddle boarding on Muri Lagoon with KiteSUP Watersports. Sipping on a frosty Cook Islands lager at Trader Jacks' iconic harbourside location is also supremely relaxing. Honeymooners, don’t miss making the trip north of Rarotonga to Aitutaki, the sublime home of the world's most beautiful lagoon.