Black Rock

Black Rock is a dark basalt outcrop standing on the sand at Nukupure on Rarotonga's northwestern shore, and in Cook Islands tradition it is Tuoro, the point from which the spirits of the dead departed westward for Avaiki. It is also where Papeiha, the Raiatean teacher who brought Christianity to the island, is said to have swum ashore in 1823. The reef is close in and the sunsets from the rock are the island's best known.

Highlights

• The basalt outcrop - the dark rock standing on the sand at the shore.
• The departure tradition - the point spirits were said to leave from for Avaiki.
• The Papeiha landing - the swim ashore in 1823 that began the mission.
• The sunsets - the west-facing position the island is best known for.

When to go

May to October is the drier cooler season. Sunset is when the site fills. The lagoon here is shallow at low tide.

Before you go

It gets crowded at sunset. Jumping from the rock causes injuries and depth varies with the tide. The site has cultural significance and should be treated accordingly.

Nearby

Arorangi is south, and Avarua is east.