Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question only? Please check our frequently asked questions section here first before sending a message. Chances are that you find your answer here. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact us here.
FAQ’s – Booking and payment options
We accept the following types of payment: Cash - VISA and MASTER Card - Bank transfers from Cook Islands based banks only - Cheques from Cook Islands based banks only
No, unless you have a Cook Islands bank account. We do not accept overseas wire transfers due to the high international bank transfer fees.
For all bookings, please fill out our contact form and we will get back to you with booking instructions.
For cancellations done more than 5 days prior the booking date we won't charge you at all. For cancellations done within 5 to 3 days prior to booking date we will charge you 50% of the total amount. For cancellations done 2 days or less prior to booking date, we will charge you 100% of the total amount.
No, there is strictly no refund on early returns.
We do not charge your card before you get here, unless you cancel your booking within the period stated in our cancellation policy. If you are going to pay in cash, we won't charge your card at all.
FAQs – Scooter hire
We use Kymco Super 8 125cc scooters. Kymco is a Taiwanese company and has been producing quality motorcycles, scooters and ATV’s since 1963. They also produce the engine for BMW’s G450X Enduro bike. Kymco is one of the leading scooter manufacturers for the European and American market. The Super 8 125 bikes are great scooters for people who are used to ride bigger scooters and clutch bikes. They handle very well, but please note that the suspension on these scooters is firmer than on other smaller scooters and the roads can be pretty bumpy here (in case you or your passenger is very sensitive to a bumpy ride).
No, all rental scooters here are over 100cc (ours are 125cc) and you need a full motorcycle license in order to hire and ride a scooter in Rarotonga.
It is all about engine size, not about whether it is a scooter or clutch bike. All rental scooters here are over 100cc (ours are 125cc) and you need a motorcycle license in order to ride these (as you do in any other country too).
Our company has a strict policy to only hire out scooters to experienced motorcycle riders who hold a motorcycle license in their home country.
If you are under 21 years old, you can only hire a scooter from us if you hold a full motorcycle license in your home country, no matter your experience level.
No, the minimum age to hire and ride our scooters is 18 years old. No exceptions!
No, as long as your full motorcycle license is from New Zealand, Australia, U.S., Canada or Europe, you do not need to get your Cook Islands motorcycle license. If it is from any other country, you are required to get your Cook Islands motorcycle license.
Yes, with a learners or restricted motorcycle license you are required to get your Cook Islands motorcycle license from the licensing department at the police station. This includes a theoretical and a practical test and costs $40. Only with a full motorcycle license you do not need to get your Cook Islands Visitors Motorcycle license. You can only do the tests Mondays to Fridays.
No. Our company has a strict “experienced riders only” policy. “Experienced” means that you must ride bigger scooters or motorcycles on a regular basis.
With “experienced motorcycle or scooter rider only policy” we mean that you must ride bigger scooters or clutch bikes on a regular basis. If you only ride a scooter when on holiday, this does not meet our “experienced rider only policy”. Our scooters are bigger, heavier and more powerful than other rental scooters here and the island has pretty bad road conditions and lots of roaming dogs.
Yes, children are allowed to ride on a scooter, as long as they sit behid the rider and wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet. We do not hire out children motorcycle helmets. The maximum total number of people (of any age) allowed on a scooter is two.
Yes, approved safety helmets are mandatory for everyone when riding scooters and motorbikes in Rarotonga.
No, we do not hire out clutch bikes, we hire out 125cc fully automatic scooters. However, our scooters are bigger, heavier and more powerful than most rental scooters on the island and they come with bigger wheels and tires which are better suited to the bumpy roads here.
No, all scooters need to be picked up from and returned to our office in Aroa during working hours.
No, all scooters need to be picked up from and returned to our office in Aroa during working hours.
We require VISA or MASTER Card details as bond for all scooter hire.
We require VISA or MASTER Card details as well as the card holders signature as a bond for all scooter hires. We do not hire out scooters without card details for bond.
Excess on our scooters is NZ$650.00
The minimum scooter hire period is 24 hours. Of course, you can return the bike earlier if you wish (during working hours only). Please note that we only take scooter bookings in advance when you hire a scooter for a minimum period of 5 days. For shorter periods you will have to check availability with us on the day you want the scooter.
FAQ’s Kayak + SUP hire
Yes, we deliver kayaks free of charge to your accommodation when you hire a single kayak for 5+ days or a double kayak for 3+ days.
No, we hire out kayaks but not stand-up paddle boards.
No, you are not allowed to take our kayaks outside the lagoon.
No, we do not charge for life jackets when you hire kayaks from us.
FAQ’s – Bicycle hire
No, we do not hire out eBikes. We hire out mountain bikes, comfort bikes and 125cc scooters.
Yes, we hire out 24″ kids bikes These will be the right size for most kids aged 7 to 10. We do not hire out smaller bikes but we hire out children and toddler bike seats.
No, our bicycles do not have lights and we do not recommend cycling at night here as the roads are not well lit.
No, we do not have tandem bikes.
The minimum bike hire period is 24 hours. Of course, you can return the bike earlier if you wish. Please note that we only take bicycle bookings in advance when you hire a bike for a minimum period of 5 days. For shorter periods you will have to check availability with us on the day you want the bike.
FAQ’s – Snorkeling
We only take out people on our snorkel trips who are competent swimmers in deeper, open water and experienced snorkelers. As we take you on our boat outside of the protection of the lagoon into deeper, fully open water, you have to expect some chop at the surface and you really want to be comfortable snorkeling in deeper water.
Yes, we take passengers and snorkelers on our boat dive trips, but it is imporant to know that on our dive trips, we cater for our divers, not for snorkelers and we choose the sites to accommodate our divers, not snorkelers. Some sites are equally good for diving and snorkeleing, others are not so good. All snorkeling during dive trips is unguided and unsupervised.
We only conduct outer reef snorkel trips when sea conditions are ok. As we take you on our boat outside the protection of the lagoon into deeper, fully open water, you have to expect some chop and swell. If we decide that conditions are too rough, we will cancel the trip (or postpone if possible) and you won't get charged.
Our snorkel trips go ahead rain or shine. We are in the tropics and it is normal that rains often. Only if sea conditions are too rough we will cancel the trip.
Our outer reef snorkel trips are very dependent on sea conditions. As we are pretty busy with scuba diving trips, we cannot take any snorkel trip booking in advance when there is a high chance that the trip gets cancelled due to sea conditions. Scuba diving trips can still go out when conditions are not suitable any more for snorkel trips. For all snorkel trips you will have to check conditions and availability with us when you are on the island.
FAQ’s – Scuba dive trips
You will need to bring your dive certification, drinking water and a towel each. If you are diving during the cooler winter months, you may also want to bring a wind-breaker. If you would like any snacks in between dives, feel free to bring what you like.
We always meet at our dive centre in Aroa.
No, we always meet at our dive centre in Aroa. You will have to make your own way to us. There is also the public bus that goes around the island
We always meet 20 minutes prior departure. For morning dive trips this is at 7:40 am, for afternoon trips this is at 12:10 pm. Please be on time as the boat does not wait!
Yes, we dive rain or shine. We are in the tropics and it is normal that it rains often. We have dive sites all around Rarotonga and we will only cancel a dive trip if the conditions are too rough everywhere around the island.
It is very common here for the sea to be a bit choppy. If you think that you may get seasick, please make sure you take preventative measures (i.e. seasickness medication).
No, we do not mix experienced with inexperienced divers.
As we only take out small groups at a time, we tend to book out fast. During high season and during school holidays we recommend to book a few weeks in advance to avoid disappointment.