Punanga Nui Market

Saturday morning at Punanga Nui is Rarotonga's weekly gathering: stalls along the Avarua waterfront selling papaya, rukau taro leaves, fresh tuna, and the island's signature dish ika mata - raw fish cured in lime and coconut cream, sold in cups to eat on the spot. Alongside the food are pareu wraps, black pearls from the northern islands, woodcarving and ei katu flower crowns, with a stage where local musicians and dance groups perform through the morning. It starts early and the best things sell out by nine, which locals know and visitors usually learn the hard way.

What you actually see

• Ika mata - raw fish in lime and coconut cream, the island staple.
• Tropical produce - papaya, rukau, breadfruit and fresh tuna.
• Black pearls and pareu - crafts from Rarotonga and the northern islands.
• Live music and dance - performances on the market stage.

When to go

Saturday mornings, starting around six and winding down by midday - the earlier the better for food. Smaller markets run on other days. Year round, though the wet season brings occasional washouts.

Honest expectations

It is a Saturday-only event at full scale, and visitors who arrive Sunday find a closed waterfront - Sundays in the Cook Islands are for church and rest, with most businesses shut. Popular food stalls sell out early. Prices for crafts are set rather than heavily negotiable. Parking near the market fills quickly.

Nearby

Avarua town, the Cook Islands Christian Church and the island's ring road.