Avaavaroa Passage is one of Rarotonga’s special places. Home to sea turtles, reef fish and beautiful marine life, it offers an unforgettable opportunity to experience our island’s underwater world.

At Snorkel Cook Islands, we’re fortunate to spend time in these waters, and we believe places like this deserve our care and protection.

Why are we concerned?

Avaavaroa Passage is a powerful natural waterway where currents can be strong. With swimmers, snorkellers, motorboats and sea scooters sharing a relatively small area, we believe sensible management is important for everyone’s safety.

Research also shows that boat strikes can injure turtles, underwater noise can affect marine wildlife, and certain vessel activities can damage sensitive marine habitats.

We are not marine scientists. We’re simply a local tourism business that loves the ocean and wants to help look after it.

What are we asking for?

We respectfully ask the Cook Islands Government and relevant authorities to review motorised activities within Avaavaroa Passage and consider:

Appropriate restrictions or motor-free areas to separate swimmers from powered vessels.
Clear safety rules for commercial motorboats and sea scooters.
Stronger protection for turtles, marine habitats and other wildlife.
Responsible tourism practices that allow this special place to be enjoyed for generations to come.
We believe tourism and conservation can work together. Protecting our marine environment benefits our community, our visitors and the wildlife that makes Rarotonga so special.

A small action can make a difference.

If you share our love for Rarotonga’s ocean, please consider adding your signature and sharing this petition.

Together, we can help protect Avaavaroa Passage.

Protect our swimmers. Protect our turtles. Protect our ocean.

With care,

The Snorkel Cook Islands Team