Quiet beach and location - with the newly started Turtle Tours on the same strip Vaimaanga is starting to get noticed for its great lagoon and quiet location As close as it gets to the beach & lagoon & great value for money , the Vaka is literally elevated over the beach and so close to the lagoon
This popular holiday batch style unit has its own separate kitchen, bathroom and a large elevated deck facing the gorgeous crystal clear lagoon.
Sit back and gaze away at the ever changing lagoon and beach
With 80+ five star 100% positive reviews (we are Super Hosts on the worlds biggest booking platform) & we are VRBO Premier Hosts, be sure to make this your accommodation choice!
Pleasantly appointed interior, high ceiling with ceiling fan, the breezes comes right off the lagoon through the screened door - there is no need for air con as its naturally cooled being so close to the water. Cool and comfortable indoors for afternoon naps and at night. Large covered deck space for watching the breakers on the reef. Spot the fish in the lagoon on a clear sunny day.
Easy 2 minute walk to Wigmores Super Store for all your grocery and food requirements. Takeaways available next door to Wigmores. A Cafe is across the road from Wigmore's for coffee and just at the end of your driveway is a DVD store and the best Pizzas on the island - Southside Pizza.
A short stroll from the Vaka is the famous Vaima Restaurant. Excellent beachside dining. Car Rental is also 500m away - Go Cook Islands hire cars at reasonable rates with pre booking recommended.
A 10 minute walk will take you to the start of the Wigmores Waterfall track - a gravel track ending at a waterfall (if its been raining).
Another short walk option along the beach from your Vaka will take you to the now famous Turtle Tour beach where you can take a guided tour in the lagoon to swim with the turtles!
As 'Premier Hosts' we are help to make the booking process as easy as possible. and a 'instant book' option to get you quickly confirmed ! Since the pandemic we have refined and polished our practices. We work full time to ensure your comfort and the best possible holiday !
Throughout the booking process and during your stay we are on hand to help and only a message away.
As we are living on the island but not onsite we will stop by at some stage to say Kia Orana (hello), other than that we leave you to it - it is your property for your entire stay and we can help as much or little as needed! .
There is a Guest Compendium that tells you everything you need to know, do and see to help you maximize your stay. Before arrival we also send our guide book to help plan your stay.
We want you to experience the island and what it has to offer for yourselves and our guests always go back home and spread the word on our little paradise island in the Pacific !
Kia Manuia. Adam & Sarah
Property manager
taakoka-muri-beach1
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Property amenities
Beach
On the beach
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Internet
Available in the villa: WiFi (surcharge)
Parking and transportation
Car recommended
Parking on site
Kitchen
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Electric kettle
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Toaster
Bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Towels provided
Entertainment
DVD player
TV
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Designated smoking areas
Note from host: outside only
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Safe
Location highlights
In a village
Near the ocean
On the waterfront
Things to do
Kayak
Water sports equipment
Kayaking nearby
Snorkeling nearby
Swimming nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
This property does not allow children
Note from host: over 10yrs
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property
Property is also known as
Vrbo Property
About the neighborhood
takitumu, Vaimaanga Tapere
What's nearby
Wigmore's Waterfall - 3 min drive - 1.6 km
Aroa Beach - 4 min drive - 2.7 km
Tikioki Marine Sanctuary - 8 min drive - 6.5 km
Muri Lagoon - 8 min drive - 7.3 km
Muri Beach - 10 min drive - 8.4 km
Getting around
Rarotonga (RAR-Rarotonga Intl.) - 23 min drive
Restaurants
Charlie's - 7 min drive
Trader Jacks Bar & Grill - 15 min drive
Sails Restaurant - 9 min drive
Shipwreck Hut - 5 min drive
Palace Takeaway - 14 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Vaka Tai - as 'on the beach' as you can get with Air Con & Free WIFI ! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Vaka Tai - as 'on the beach' as you can get with Air Con & Free WIFI !?
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Vaka Tai - as 'on the beach' as you can get with Air Con & Free WIFI !?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Vaka Tai - as 'on the beach' as you can get with Air Con & Free WIFI ! located?
Nestled on the beach, this Takitumu District villa is within 2 mi (3 km) of Wigmore's Waterfall, Aroa Beach, and Takitumu Conservation Area. Puaikura Beach and Te Rua Manga are also within 3 mi (5 km).
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Vaka Tai - as 'on the beach' as you can get with Air Con & Free WIFI ! Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 17 reviews
10 - Excellent
15
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 17 reviews
8 - Good
2
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 17 reviews
6 - Okay
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Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 17 reviews
4 - Poor
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Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews
2 - Terrible
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10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Amenities
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
10/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Karen
Apr 2, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We loved this property it was quiet location was nice view was all we needed , the snorkelling was spectacular as well beautiful coral and fish , grocery store down the road fabulous !!
Location excellent, great restaurant next door, cafe and supermarket 5 minute walk away. Freestanding unit ON THE BEACH, which was good for swimming at all times and snorkling was great.
What an excellent place to stay a few steps and into the warm lagoon. Great snorkelling on the door step. Would recommend to those who like the quieter side of the island. Top rated restaurant next door and plenty to do close by. Adam and Sarah great hosts.
We stayed here for seven nights and had a great time - you will need scooters/car/bike to get around - even though there is an hourly but this will give you a bit more freedom... we watched whales breaching from the deck and nearly noone on the beach - it is very much the quiet part of town which is what we wanted to we just loved it. Wigmores supermarket up the road and a pizza shop right out the front! It was just easy and a great intro to Rarotonga for us :)
loved the location listening to the waves and waking up looking at the water. the water was lovely warm, fish life abundant just off shore. we saw moray eels and just up the road near one of the resorts some turtles. Everything was easy - the people lovely the scenery beautiful. Sometimes the wind was blustery but we would just go to the opposite side which takes no time at all due to the size of the Island. Bed was comfy - great supermarket up the road - had a great selection - great for me as it had quite a few gluten free options.
We were super happy with our stay in Rarotonga and this lodging. The location was super. Nice snorkeling right off the (nice sand) beach. Great view from the bed and from the good size deck. Quiet. 24 hour small grocery store a short walk away. Several eating options within a mile. Was a bit hard to find when we arrived at midnight, but so worth it! The restaurant right next door (mentioned in other reviews) was never too noisy or obtrusive.
Awesome location, right on the beach. Snorkelling is pretty good here and the reef is close enough that you can see theh passing whales. The restaurant next door is only open a couple of hours a night and is very quiet - and great to have as an option for dinner. Wigmores walking distance, kitchen utensils for cooking are average, but we made do. No oven, just a gas cooker and bbq. Bed was very comfortable. All in all perfect place to stay for a get away.
This was way more relaxing than any resort we'd experienced previously, clean & right on the sand. Small personal touches like a huge bunch of native flowers, local fruit platter, milk & a turkish loaf made it just so welcoming.
We relaxed within 2 days & loved the restaurant music from 5pm & 8.30pm each night. And the snorkling was EPIC. So central to Wigmores store for supplies, drinks, icecreams & more.
We'll be back in 2 years for my 60th.
It is a heavenly paradise!!
We stayed 29 nights and had a wonderful stay. We were looking to relax and enjoy the lagoon after a hectic fall, and that is exactly what we did. The hosts arranged our transfer from the airport, and it went off without a hitch. You can't get any closer to the water than this accommodation. The deck was wonderful and that is where we spent all of our time. The bathroom is tiny, but gets the job done. The kitchen had all of the necessities and we cooked a lot of meals there. The grill/griddle needs a little work. But other than that, we have no complaints. The hosts checked in periodically, and they are great. I highly recommend a stay here!
My husband and I stayed for a week. Beautiful location, easy walk to Wigmores. The unit had everything we needed. Internet worked initially, but then stopped, but could walk next door to Viama’s Steakhouse and get it if needed. A 10L water was provided with refill spot across from Wigmores.
Renting a scooter was challenging as we arrived on Saturday night and police station is closed on Sunday and the bus doesn’t run. Monday we got there after 2:00 and they were closed. Next time I would just rent an e-bike.
We would definitely stay here again.
Overall very good - a few small niggles, but it's a lovely place with an amazing view - all exactly as shown in the photos.
One thing to be aware of is music from the restaurant next door. It's not exactly loud, but it's intrusive as it's so close. Only plays between 5pm and 9pm, so not a big issue, but we found it rather annoying (although we're quite sensitive to noise, so it might not bother other people too much).
We had an amazing stay! Waking up every morning to the gentle lapping of waves on the beach made a great start to each day. Being right on the beach was the right choice for us - we swam, snorkeled, kayaked and walked every day. The unit was clean and efficient and had everything we wanted. Air conditioning and wifi were also great to have. We would highly recommend this property.
Just what is says in the description. Self contained cottage right on the beach. Didn't realise that the restaurant was right next door but this wasn't an issue as very quiet. Great location and a good part of the island for swimming and snorkelling. Cottage was clean and tidy and had everything that we needed to be self contained. Would stay again.
This was our first time going through bookabach as we have stayed in Resorts the last couple of times we have been over. It was the best decision ever. Now, I don't want this property to get so booked that we can never get it again, but it was such a great location. All day and night you can see & hear the ocean as it crashes against the reef to that beautiful crystal clear lagoon. It's quiet, and so local to a supermarket, DVD shop (we left a few behind for future guests) gas station, vehicle rentals, a cafe, as well as directly beside Viama restaurant. Handy for cocktails, as well as dinner (booking in advance is essential) We absolutely loved "Vaka 1" and it felt like home to us for the time we were there. Everything you need to be able to self cater, and close to the places you need around you. The hosts Adam & Sarah are fantastic, and do a great job.