Swim With The Turtles Rarotonga – Originals Since 2018
Walk off the sand and into Rarotonga's turtle channel. No boats, no scooters, just you, the Pacific and a crew of real watermen.
Guided by true watermen
Premium gear included
Turtle encounters highly likely
A 2-hour guided beach entry snorkel at Avaavaroa Passage, with about an hour in the water. Turtle encounters are highly likely.
★ 4.8 from 828+ Google reviews · Free cancellation up to 24 hours before · Ages 12–64 · Monday to Saturday, timed to low tide
Yes, you can swim with turtles in Rarotonga, and Avaavaroa Passage on the island's south coast is one of their favourite places. Our 2-hour guided tour starts and finishes on the beach. We fit your gear, check your confidence in the shallows, then guide you out to the channel where green turtles come to feed and rest.
Why guests choose Snorkel Cook Islands
Guided by true watermen
Your guides are professional lifeguards, surfers and fishermen who have worked beaches across Australia and New Zealand. Reading the ocean is how they grew up.
Turtle encounters highly likely
The passage is a favourite feeding and resting spot for green turtles, and lucky guests spot a critically endangered hawksbill.
Beach entry, no engines, ever
No boats and no sea scooters. It's quieter for the turtles and more real for you.
Confidence built in
Everyone starts with a shallow-water check, so first-timers and nervous swimmers get all the time they need.
Premium gear included
Fins, reef shoes, and mask with snorkel, fitted for you on the beach.
The originals
Guiding at Avaavaroa since 2018, with a proud safety record since 2018.
Your 2-hour turtle snorkel, step by step
1. Meet the crew on the beach
Check in at our base on the sand at Avaavaroa Passage. We fit your fins, reef shoes, and mask and snorkel, then talk you through the reef, the tide and what today's ocean is doing.
2. Shallow-water snorkel check
Start in calm, waist-deep water. Get your breathing right, settle your mask and float with confidence. You move on only when you're ready.
3. Out to the channel
When conditions and your confidence line up, your guide leads you out to the passage. You'll never swim against a current. Some days we drift with the water's natural flow, the way locals always have.
4. Time with the turtles
Watch turtles glide, feed and rise for air from a respectful 3 m, with no touching and no feeding. Encounters are highly likely.
5. Prefer the shallows?
Absolutely fine. Enjoy a guided snorkel over the coral, where turtles often come in to feed (sightings in the shallows can't be promised).
6. Back on the beach
Rinse off, swap stories and enjoy fresh local fruit. Your guide may snap a few photos when conditions allow.
What's included
Premium gear included: fins, reef shoes, and mask with snorkel
Shallow-water snorkel check and safety briefing
In-water guiding by experienced watermen
Fresh local fruit after the snorkel
Photos when conditions allow (never promised)
Not included
Transport to and from Avaavaroa Passage
Towel, reef-safe sunscreen and swimwear
Gratuities
What to bring
Swimwear, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, and an underwater camera if you have one.
Who it's for
Ages 12 to 64. You don't need to be a strong swimmer, just comfortable floating face-down in the ocean; the shallow check helps work out your best option. Not suitable for non-swimmers. A moderate level of fitness is needed: a short beach walk and about 1 hour of snorkelling within the 2-hour tour.
Where we meet
Our base is on the beach at Avaavaroa Passage, on Rarotonga's south coast. Rarotonga has no street addresses, so use our map pin. Please arrive 5 minutes before your start time; right on time is perfect.
Loved by our guests
Rated 4.8★ from 828+ Google reviews.
Turtle snorkelling in Rarotonga – your questions answered
Can you swim with turtles in Rarotonga?
Yes. Avaavaroa Passage is one of the best places on the island to see turtles. On our guided tour, encounters in the channel are highly likely. They're wild animals, so we never promise a sighting.
Where is the best place to see turtles in Rarotonga?
Avaavaroa Passage, on the south coast, is a favourite turtle feeding and resting spot. Green turtles are the ones you'll usually meet, and a critically endangered hawksbill is a rare treat.
When is the best time to swim with turtles?
We time every tour around low tide for the calmest, clearest water. Tours run Monday to Saturday. There are no Sunday tours, apart from our cruise ship tour on days a ship docks.
How do we get into the water? Is there a boat?
Straight from the beach, with no boats. We start and finish on the sand, and that's the whole point.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No, but you must be able to swim. Everyone does a shallow-water check first. If the channel isn't for you that day, you'll snorkel the shallows with a guide, where turtles often come in to feed.
What about currents?
You'll never swim against one. Depending on the day we may drift with the current, and we never take anyone beyond their ability.
How long is the tour?
2 hours in total, including about 1 hour of snorkelling.
How much does it cost?
$89 per person, or $79 with code TURTLE79 when you book online during our low season sale, which ends 30 November 2026.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Cancel at least 24 hours before your start time (Rarotonga time) for a full refund. See our FAQ for details.
Ready to meet the turtles?
Book your guided beach entry snorkel today and save $10 with code TURTLE79 until 30 November 2026.
Want the passage to yourselves? See our private turtle tour. Here on a cruise? See our cruise ship shore excursion. Read our story, browse tour photos or visit our FAQ.
Low season sale: $79 (was $89). Use code TURTLE79 when you book online. Sale ends 30 November 2026.