one day in rarotonga

willl be arriving on a cruise ship in november, what will be the best thing to see or do in the one day I will have there?

Depends on what you like to do - if you like diving - go for a dive (as long as you're not flying within 24 hours) - www.diverarotonga.com. If you like swimming go to Muri Beach. If you like walking just walk half way around the island (its about 33 km around so it takes about 8 hours to walk all the way round). If you like exploring - hire a scooter for the day from Rarotonga Rentals (www.rarotongarentals.co.ck) - traffic is almost non-existent outside of town, there are no dogs on the coast road, and shingle is only on the back road (Inland Road), all the main roads are fine.

Keith - when exactly did you visit Raro?

I would head to the Muri Lagoon if the sun is out. We had a week there last March and spent all but 1 day just relaxing on one of most beautiful beaches i've ever been on. When we hired a car we did a loop of the island but there is not a great deal to see. The restaurant at the Pacific resort hotel and spa (right on the beach at the muri lagoon) was fab! There was not much to do in the main town - although they do have a market once a week which we went to. I think it was on a saturday or sunday.

The outdoors market takes place on a Saturday, and is located near the main harbour in Avatiu.
There are several tour options available for arriving cruise passengers - all found where the ship-tenders bring passengers ashore in Avatiu.