You’re not going to get lost on Rarotonga. It’s 32km around the island on Ara Tapu, the main road around the coast, and the trickiest decision may be deciding whether to go clockwise or anti-clockwise. As we don’t know where you’ll be starting, jump into this itinerary anywhere along the way.

Here are 10 top spots travelling clockwise around the island, starting and ending in Avarua. Take your snorkelling gear.

1 Start with Makea Tinirau Road from the Beachcomber Building in the eastern side of Avarua for a look into some local history.

2 If you’ve timed things well, visit Neil at the Cook Islands Coffee Co in Matavera before 10am for a pick-me-up.

3 Muri and its lagoon deserve some of your attention, so take a left at Pacific Rental Cars corner, and drive down Nukupure Dr to Muri Beach. Save your lagoon cruise for another day.