Ariimoana

04/09/2024

Kia Orana Explorers!

Have you ever met our girl Mahi?

She has been joining our eco adventures since she was a little pup - but reef exploring is by far her favorite hobby!

Regardless we have tours or not, you may see her and her best mate Tama walking on the reef at low tide, looking for a quick snack, playing with some of the critters and sometimes getting in arguments with moray eels.

She knows how to read the tides, how to swim back through the passage and also she is a great spotter for 🐙

Regardless the many times she has been out on the reef, she still gets taken by admiring our little paradise from the edge of the Island - and so do we.

Have a look at what she found during the last few walks 👀

Next reef explore tour will be on Thursday, weather should be perfect and tides very ideal - don’t miss out!

Kia Manuia 🌸



fans

28/08/2024

Kia Orana Explorers,

Were you as hypnotized as we were by those patterns?

Thank you for watching and sharing our latest reel - we couldn’t stop watching it either!

This fever of rays (yes it is called a fever) are residents in one of the reef passages of Rarotonga. They can be found in different spots & depths depending on the tide, swell, precipitation and human presence.

Snorkeling/free diving with the rays requires good snorkeling and diving skills - and always under the supervision of a qualified local tour guide.

Eagle rays are peaceful and curious animals, but a calm and planned approach is necessary for a
a close and respectful encounter.

In the photo caption some interesting facts about these mesmerizing creatures.

Kia Manuia 🌸


fans

19/08/2024

Kura Happ
Finalist: Individual Category
2024 Cook Islands People's Choice Awards

HOW TO VOTE:
1️⃣ Hit that 'Reaction' button to cast your vote! (Either a 👍, ❤️, 🥰 or 😮)
2️⃣ You can vote for as many finalists as you like, but only ONE vote per finalist per account will count.
Don't forget to also vote for a Business Category Finalist. Any reactions on shared posts won’t be counted.

Winners will be announced on World Tourism Day, 27 September 2024 - mark your calendars! 📅

For more information check out: http://cookislands.travel/PCA

19/08/2024

Ariimoana Walkabouts
Finalist: Business Category
2024 Cook Islands People's Choice Awards

HOW TO VOTE:
1️⃣ Hit that 'Reaction' button to cast your vote! (Either a 👍, ❤️, 🥰 or 😮)
2️⃣ You can vote for as many finalists as you like, but only ONE vote per finalist per account will count.
Voting closes Monday, 16 September 2024 (CKT).
Don't forget to also vote for a Individual Category Finalist. Any reactions on shared posts won’t be counted.

Winners will be announced on World Tourism Day, 27 September 2024 - mark your calendars! 📅

For more information check out: http://cookislands.travel/PCA

19/08/2024

Kia Orana Explorers,

It is the beginning of a full moon cycle and this upcoming week looks very ideal for reef exploring!

We have few walks planned in the next few days and few spots available - join us in this unique eco adventure!

Today we are sharing some of the closest reef encounters with some weirdly beautiful reef critters - the crustaceans!

Crustaceans are a group of the Arthropods and they include crabs, shrimps, prawns, crayfish, lobsters, isopods, barnacles and mantis shrimp!

Most crustaceans are aquatic, living in either marine or freshwater environment - but few of them have adapted to life on land like the terrestrial hermit crab.

Have a closer look to our finds and let us know which one is your favorite!

Kia Manuia 🌸


fans

06/08/2024

Kia Orana Explorers,

While awaiting for the next moon cycle to start adventuring again on the reef, we have been enjoying the stunning weather to explore our inland.

Fruitful discoveries, scenic backroads and Bird- Eye views of the southside of Rarotonga are only some of the highlights of our inland walk.

There is so much to learn, to see and to taste out there - you only need to go with the right tour guides!

Next walk is planned for Friday morning with 9.00am start, only 2 spot left - don’t miss out!

Kia Manuia 🌸


fans

30/07/2024

Kia Orana Explorers,

Seems only yesterday when the weather was beautiful and the tides so low..
.well we made the most of it!

Reef Explore tours are special occasion for us too. There are only few days every month when tides are forecasted to be low enough to run safe and enjoyable walks

Rain, wind, swells and time of the tides are also part of the equation and not always all the factors align..
.but when they do, you are in for an unique experience.

Feel epic with Ariimoana.

Kia Manuia 🌸


fans

23/07/2024

Kia Orana Explorers,

During yesterday’s reef explore tour we found a green sea turtle stuck on the reef.

She was exhausted, over heated and in need of help - she was probably resting in the very shallow rocky reef while getting caught by the fast retrieving tide.

After monitoring her swimming in the outer rock pools and ensuring she was ok, we released her into the Moana.

She was named Alexandra, after the two beautiful boys that found her - both named Alexander!

It is not the first time we rescue fishes, echinoderma and other creatures from the fast retrieving tides - and even tough their death would be a natural process we could not just stay there and stare.

Amongst yesterday’s guest we had two NZ marine biologist and an environmental lawyer - we were honored and grateful to received their full approval on our operations and care for the reef environment.

We would also like to thank you Discover Marine and Wildlife Eco Centre Cook Islands for coming to help and liasing with Te Ipukarea society.

Kia Manuia and Godspeed Alexandra 🌊🐢


@top fans

20/07/2024

Wow!!!! Look at this beauty!

pajama squid

Member Photographer Name: Jinggong Zhang

18/07/2024

Kia Orana Explorers,

On Tuesday we had the pleasure of taking Aimee Woodhead and Eva on our private snorkeling tours - and we just have the best times.

Exceptional water clarity, experienced guests and appropriate equipment were the ingredients for two hours of great snorkeling experience.

Looking forward to taking you to the next snorkeling spot 🤿 🪸 🐠

Kia Manuia 🌸



@top fans

15/07/2024

Kia Orana Explorers,

The wind and swells of last week did not stop our eco adventures, actually the breeze made our walks even more enjoyable!

We loved the company of all our amazing guests, from the youngest ones to the most intrepid senior you can ever wish to meet.

Enjoy a little botanical journey through the colorful highlights of our latest inland walks.

Kia Manuia 🌸


@top fans

11/07/2024

Kia Orana Explorers!

Last week we managed to do some reef exploring before the weather turned in full “winter mode”

Reef exploring is a very special occasion for us too! Not always tides, swells, wind and rain align - but when they do, the magic happens!

Every walk is different, we never know what we will encounter - and that is the beauty of it!

Let your eyes adjusts, look carefully - reef life loves to play hide and seek!

Looking forward to the next set of low tides, and looking forward to taking you on this incredible eco adventure!

Kia Manuia 🌸


@top fans

07/07/2024

Kia Orana Explorers!

What a wonderful adventure we had with Kaye Latham and her lovely group of intrepid friends!

We had an epic day, full of laughter, learning and stunning island views of our beautiful Rarotonga.

The walk could have been challenging , but we let our guests set the paste and all managed to reach the top of the hike - where a great sense of achievement was awaiting.

Thank you for joining us and we will be looking forward to taking you on the reef during your next visit!

We have another another walk planned for Tuesday morning - join us!

Kia Manuia 🌸



fans

04/07/2024

Kia Orana Explorers,

Here a colorful highlight from todays’ inland walk!

Tiare Āpa mata’iti - Poinsettia

This is renowned as a commercially important flowering plant - commonly gifted or received around the festivities and used in many Christmas flower compositions.

This is the time of the year when its bracts turn from green to flaming red through the process of photoperiodism (which is the change of day lenght around the seasons)

The plant needs 6 to 8 weeks in a row with at least 14 hours of darkness in order to change color. The plants also needs abundant light during the day to develop the brightest colors!

Join our inland walk and enjoy the colors of our stunning flora!

Next walk on Friday morning 9.00am - see you there!

Kia Manuia 🌸

fans

02/07/2024

Kia Orana Explorers!

Normally there is only one week window in every month when the tides are low enough to allow a safe and enjoyable walk.

To the equation you also need add the time of the tide, swells and wind - making reef exploring a very special occasion for us too!

Tides have been pretty good in the last few days and so we will be running a Reef Explore tour on Wednesday afternoon!

Come and join us and let’s see how many incredible reef creatures we can find!

Here a few from our previous reef encounters 🪸

Kia Manuia 🌸


@top fans