Air Rarotonga

Hello everyone

I have just booked myself on a weeks holiday from Auckland to Rarotonga return for the end of August.

I have been looking at various posts (and will continue to do so) but would like some help in the meantime regarding flight prices on Air Rarotonga as I would like to visit Aitutaki.

Is it better to book tickets now or wait until closer to the time? Normally I would say book asap but I wasn't sure in this instance - it appears all the tickets are at around $225 each way. Or maybe that's normal?

Your suggestions would be appreciated :)

Thanks!

Ahh don't you love it when you check, post and then find your answer. I see my question has been answered a few posts down!

No harm in asking though. If prices are showing around the $225.00 mark, this has been the lead-in price for winter season, and in all honesty if you can identify the dates you plan to visit Aitutaki, including return to Raro, very soon you'll be seeing $244.00 being the norm, and above! The $99.00 fares do become available, but rarely compared to the total number of seats available across all flights each day/week. Are you planning to take the day-trip with Air Raro? If so, there is a special fare which includes day return flights and the cost of your lagoon cruise, plus short island tour.

My entire trip is for a week and I was hoping to spend a few days on Rarotonga and then a few days on Aitutaki. I am hoping to be reasonably flexible but that is limited somewhat by the time I have.

For only a week, however, I figured that as much as I really want to go to Aitutaki if it gets to the point that it is too expensive I simply won't go there on this trip. Or, like you suggest, do a day trip.

The trip itself (AKL-RAR) was such a good deal ($292 return) that I simply booked it. I need a break and it fits in well. So, if a $500 airfare is the only way to get to Aitutaki then it won't be done this time. Save it for when I have a bit more money put aside perhaps :)

That's ok though. There's a bit I would like to do on Rarotonga - I'm keen on conservation and I guess biodiversity type issues so would happily spend time sitting down with some binoculars looking for birds!

But if a $99 fare appeared...i would take it! Thanks for the heads-up that they will rise though.

$292 return airfare! Wow. When did you book that to gain such a great deal? Don't despair over the $99.00 fare. I bagged one last week, so they are around. The key is to be vigilant or persistent. To get a good rate for the Aitutaki day-tour, call into Jetsave in Avarua once you arrive on the rock to see what they can offer. Fly over at 8:00am and return at 7:00pm (depending on day of week). Biodiversity? A visit to the Takitumu Conservation Area on the soouthern slopes of Rarotonga to view the endemic Flycatcher is absorbing., For birdlife videwing though, I suggest that you visit Atiu island. Island Hopper, or was it Air Raro, were advertising some excellent 2 night stay deals on Atiu airfares, transfers and accommodation included starting around $299.00 per person. The Rimatara lorikeet translocated from Fr Polynesia to Atiu has been providing wonderful displays since it arrived on Atiu 2 years ago. I've personally seen 12 of 13 bird species on this island during a morning tour with Birdman George there. He does a detailed tour for dedicated conservationists.

Pacific Blue had it during their 'happy hour' - 12-pm M-F. Booked it a few days ago.

I like conservation activities so if they are around, great. If not, lying on a beach reading suits me perfectly at the moment!!

Thank for the suggestions about the birds - I will keep that in mind for when I start looking more seriously at my activities :)

I only look at the Air NZ grab a seat, so will now tune into Pac Blue too from now on. Good on you for grabbing that g8 airfare. OK, conservation topics and of which I have completed various research projects on Raro and Aitutaki. The cross the island hike on Raro is an excellent activity. Go with Pa who is an ethnobotanical expert as well. The yellow ReefSub is operated by a couple of scuba divers from Avatiu harbour. The couple are most knowledgeable and well into conservation. The Takitumu Conservation Area as I already suggested. Do at least one historical visit on Raro for an overveiw of the pre-missionary culture and way of life pre-European influences. Snorkel both the Rarotongan's marine reserve and the one at Tikioki (SE corner of Raro). On Aitutaki, a bone- fishing catch and release adventure might appeal. For accommodation on Aitutaki, Matriki beach-huts are owned by conservationists, and they also have their own lagoon cruise for their guests. Highly informative. Atiu island, there is a flight that runs between Aitutaki and Atiu island every Wednesday. Direct flights between Atiu and Rarotonga (same as Aitutaki but not as frequent). Birdman George as I already suggested. The cave tour with the Humphreys family is excellent. You cross the makatea (ancient coral reef) and delve into a limestone cave to view the Kopeka birds (swifts that navigate through the cave using sonar). Plenty to do, so the book may have to wait for a winter read back in NZ.

Seeing prices at $509 RT for my dates in August, but thats 7 months away.

Will these prices go down closer to departure? March and April prices seem much lower.

Or is this standard winter pricing and wont change, except for the worse?