Reviews & testimonials

We had a wonderful stay at Magic Reef Bungalows. The accommodation was beautiful and very luxurious.
Our hosts were extremely friendly and went out of their way to make us feel welcome with lots of helpful tips about the Cook Islands. The beachfront location was magical and the sunsets truly spectacular.

Bernie and Carla Brett AU

Our stay at Magic Reef was truly magical! The location was perfect for incredible sunsets and whale watching. The staff were so friendly and attentive, going above and beyond to make us feel welcome. The bungalow was super comfortable and we loved the authentic feel. The outdoor shower was our favorite! No need to bring shower gel, shampoo or conditioner since it was all supplied. Overall, we didn’t want our stay to end. If we’re lucky enough to go back again, we would absolutely stay at Magic Reef again!

Ellen & Mike US

Totally enjoyed our holiday. We were so very well looked after from the moment we arrived & were picked up by the Magic Reef shuttle. The shuttle driver was very friendly & stopped so we could get supplies on the way to our Villa. So very comfortable from the Kingsize bed to the outside bathroom. The bath was pure luxury. Can't wait for a return stay.

Wayne & Lyn Cutforth NZ

Our stay at Magic Reef was fabulous and we will definitely return.

Jean Roux AUS

Very aptly named Magic Reef Resort...our stay was truly "Magic"! Our 10 nights were totally relaxing, made all that more enjoyable by the friendliness extended by the owners Simonne & Laurence, & Jayne, & the Crew, & of course Captain the cat. We most certainly will be back without hesitation.

Phil & Judy NZ

My Wife and I recently had the pleasure of staying at Magic Reef Resort, and we can confidently say it was the perfect holiday! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and whales which were swimming past about 200 yards from the beach, setting the tone for an unforgettable experience.

Our beachfront villa was stunning—spacious, beautifully decorated, and equipped with all the amenities we could ask for. Waking up to the sound of waves and the stunning ocean view was pure bliss.

The staff went above and beyond to make our stay memorable. Their attention to detail and genuine hospitality truly made us feel at home. The immaculate condition of the gardens and the accommodation were amazingly maintained by the staff, who were always there to assist.

Magic Reef Resort exceeded all our expectations. It’s the perfect destination for anyone looking to unwind, explore, or simply enjoy life by the sea. We left with beautiful memories and a strong desire to return. Highly recommend this gem for a fantastic holiday!

Paul & Kath NZ

My husband and I visited Magic Reef for the first time at the end of August 2024. It truly was a wonderful place to stay. A beautiful, well designed bungalow, beachfront, walking distance to a few great places to eat breakfast and dinner. Clean and tidy, very environmentally friendly which is important to us. We loved the design and the option of being able to book an electric car. This is a must next time we visit the island. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this accommodation. Jayne, you were wonderful to deal with and made our stay seem even more special. Thank you for your kindness. My only bit of criticism is that the beds are very firm and I found myself with a sore neck, back and hips (must be getting older). Our last night was spent listening to some hooligans in the pool from 10pm until midnight which was a little disappointing and disruptive, but thats civilisation for you and I get the feeling this was a rarity at Magic Reef - it doesn't lend itself to party goers and is a very tranquil place...we were just having a run of bad luck. We loved our stay and hope one day to be back to enjoy the 2 nights we missed out on because of Jetstar delays.

Karina & John AUS

Upon our arrival met with a lei then escorted to our room, we had a wonderful time amongst the beautiful surroundings of Magic Reef Bungalows.
Chilled on the clear waters edge or in the bean bags under the sun. Drinks  under the covered area watching the whales  swim past as sun went down, with amazing sunsets. Perfect get away, without the crowds.
Electric cars were a great asset and enjoyable to explore the island. Pool was a freshening dip after the hot day in the sun.
Bungalow was well appointed, with all that we needed. Having a guest laundry was nice too. Staff were amazing and really engaging, and gardens and surroundings were beautiful.

Mike & Rowena NZ

Fantastic stay, everything was provided that was needed for a wonderful holiday, very clean and the staff were exceptional. Will come again

Emma NZ

Thank you to Jayne, Dave and the team for an absolutely wonderful stay at Magic Reef. Location fantastic right on the beach with hammocks, bean bags, outdoor table and chairs available and also within easy walking distances to several restaurants and the shop. 15 mins drive from town and 20 mins from Muri Lagoon, EV Bikes and Car hire on site, ice machine, endless drinking water and a deep pool to cool off in. We were lucky to be staying in one of the new 2 bedroom bungalows which have been built to a beautiful traditional standard and the interior appointment including an outdoor shower and bath do not disappoint. We have already been online to see when we can book again. The Stewart Family

The Stewart Family NZ

We had a great stay in Rarotonga and Magic Reef was a huge amount of the wonderful time. Greeted with a bountiful fruit platter upon arrival and breakfast for the first morning.
The location of Magic Reef is perfect and they have electric cars and bikes available. Good restaurants are also nearby.
The bungalow was great and we highly recommend staying for your visit. Plus the cool bathroom too!

Kerrie and Kurt Badertscher USA

Amanda, Pat & Cooper Aus

Great stay, hosts were nice , friendly and helpful during our stay, accommodation up to expectation more than happy , have already booked to come back

Richard & Robyn Glenn NZ

Magic Reef is a beautiful accommodation set among lovely gardens and pool area, bungalows are beautifully set out with views to the beach, we will definitely be back and recommend to friends and family , thank you crew

Sarah Easton NZ

We had an absolutely wonderful time at Magic Reef, it was perfect for the relaxing holiday we needed. Many thanks to Lawrence, Simone, Jayne and the Crew for welcoming us and making us feel like this patch of paradise was our beautiful home for our stay.

Antoinette and Rod Aus

Fabulous small resort. The facilities, location and all staff were outstanding. Great dinner restaurant only 100m walk down the beach. I have already recommended Magic Reef to several friends and we will definitely be back next time we visit the Cook Islands.

Frances Stead NZ

We had a fabulous stay over Christmas at Magicreef. Myself, husband and two adult daughters enjoyed every minute. From the moment we arrived and saw the gorgeous bungalows and the truly magic views we were hooked. The staff and owners were so friendly and welcoming and every request was met with ease. Was a perfect, relaxing break for us and we will happily return there in the near future.

Linda AU

Friends and family had visited in the past as suggest Magic Reef as the go to place on Rarotonga. Thanks to these amazing hosts we had a very relaxing and chilled stay. Loved the view from our room, really we didn’t need to go anywhere. The social 5 pm we met some wonderful people from all around the globe. A special and unique place worth of being your annual go to. Thanks for the all included wifi.

Jenny NZ

An idyllic resort with wonderful Polynesian style bungalows. The stay exceeded our expectations. The Magic Reef staff were absolutely wonderful. This is definitely a boutique resort to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. It’s very exclusive and offers a quiet sanctuary to really relax.

Also situated close to several wonderful restaurants and pearl stores

Highly recommended.

Rob & Dawn AU

The most splendid stay! Everything was superb: the bungalow, the beach side location, the exquisite pool, the all electric cars to hire and most of all the hosts and their super staff. Magic Reef is truly a piece of Paradise!

Eric & Maggie Turner GB

First, I would like to thank Lawrence, Simone, Talula and the wonderful crew for an experience that was out of this world this place surely does live up to its name Magic in all ways, look forward to seeing you all next year and all the best guys.

Kittima & Roy Gallagher NZ

We recently stayed at your beautiful resort and wanted to say how awesome and beautiful our experiences were. The bungalow was fantastic, so cozy and exceeded all our needs. To step out and see that view was a gob smacking moment and my only wish is to get back there again one day and stay in the same unit again .Thankyou for providing a space for 2weary people for a much needed getaway. Kindest regards John and Jackie.

Jackie & John Gunn USA

Magic Reef has to be hands down the best place to stay in Rarotonga - what a location!! The bungalows are gorgeous, such a unique and character-filled, right on the beach, stunning view. Lawrence and Simonne are so welcoming and so everything to ensure your stay is the best it can be. You have everything you need to be self contained or there are some great restaurants and cafes minutes away - don't bother looking elsewhere - this is it!!

Jo-Anne Facey AU

We absolutely loved our stay at Magic Reef. Laurence, Simone & Jayne were so accommodating and made us feel part of their family.
Definitely coming back to stay again.

Jill & Adam NZ

Thank you for the most wonderful stay at this mini paradise. We loved every aspect of our stay starting with the very warm welcome! Our bure was beautiful, offering every amenity and so many thoughtful touches including complimentary homemade produce. The fourposter bed mattress was so comfortable, the mini kitchenette had lovely kitchenware, and we loved the indoor/outdoor bathroom combination with large shower rose and hair care products. Simone and Lawrence were warm and helpful hosts and the whole property was idyllic. We will be back for sure.

Sally & Brian Dewar NZ

Too many words to say about our stay at Magic Reef so I’ll keep it brief!
AMAZING…!!!
Stunning location, beautiful accommodation, the most beautiful staff.
Lawrence and Simone and little Tulula were dream hosts and made us feel very special.
From the stop at the shops after picking us up from the airport, to the fruit platter and drinks on arrival, access to fresh drinking water and ice on tap, use of the e-bikes to explore…and they even turned on the weather too..!
A glorious 8 days in paradise we can’t wait to get back.
Close to delicious local restaurants and cafes, and the bus that runs on island time leaves from outside the front of the property too.
Not a bad word to say, if you are thinking about a trip to Raro and want a luxurious place to call home then do it…
See you soon MRB…

Lucy Kennedy NZ

We so enjoyed the beautiful lagoon outlook we had when we stayed at #5. Magic Reef gave us the beauty of quietness and beauty. The weather perfect during our stay. The pool was really warm and well kept. We particularly liked showering in the outdoor area. Lawrence and Simone were the most friendly hosts. We expect to return sometime in the future.
Happy New Year!

Kerry & Rae Radford NZ

We had a great relaxing 8 day stay with Lawrence and Simonne and their great crew. Met some interesting guests from around the world enjoyed the comfort and relaxing sound of the waves on the reef beach outside our door.
Hired one of their great EVs to enable us older couple to get around the island and take in the Magic of Rarotonga. While there we took the Koka lagoon cruise which was a great experience we would recommend.
Thanks

Dick & Barbara Ayres NZ

Myself, husband and two adult daughters enjoyed every minute. From the moment we arrived and saw the gorgeous bungalows and the truly magic views we were hooked. The staff and owners were so friendly and welcoming and every request was met with ease. Was a perfect, relaxing break for us and we will happily return there in the near future.

Linda, Australia

Es war ein wunderschöner Aufenthalt - vielen Dank

Roland & Karin Weidmann - Germany

Another Magic 18-night stay at Magic Reef for us, the second this year, to celebrate our honeymoon after getting married in May! Again, the most beautiful and relaxing place to wind down. Friendly, fantastic management and staff that make you feel right at home. Can't recommend this place highly enough. We will be back! Meitaki,

Marty & Paitangi NZ

Had a lovely relaxing break last week. It went way too fast! The accommodation is beautiful, kitchen is well equipped and the breakfast platter delicious. The hosts Lawrence & Simonne are very welcoming and helpful as are their team. Looking forward to visiting again.

Jane & Nick Scarles NZ

Fabulous holiday at a fabulous resort. Magic Reef is a small adult-only resort. Studio bungalows, with a small but well-appointed kitchen and communal bbq which we used most nights. Rooms are clean and well maintained, as is the whole facility. Staff excellent and helpful. We’re looking forward to our next visit.

Gillian & Howard Moore NZ

Magic Reef is simply superb! The bungalows are divine, the location is right on the beachfront, stunning sunsets, whales jumping just offshore, crystal clear water and incredible hosts!! All of our needs met! A short stroll along the beach to some lovely beachfront restaurants. Easy airport transfers, and check in and out, convenient availability of hire of electric cars or bikes onsite to go about the island. We will be back!!
Thank you for an amazing holiday!!!!

Lisa & Alan Muir Aus

We had a wonderful stay again albeit too short. Can't wait to come back!

Peter & Pam Smith AU

Thank you Jayne and Lawrence for an amazing week! The most beautiful place we have stayed and we are already planning to return! Can't wait to come back and do it all again

Sam & Shelly

From the moment we stepped into the resort we were welcomed by the host wonderful Lawrence, who explains everything to us, also bought us drinks on arrival with a beautifully made fruit platter homemade jam and some bread for our breakfast in the morning. We were very spoilt by all the awesome staff who work at the resort. We couldn’t get enough of our room magic views in all bungalows. Very clean beautiful location. If you’re looking for a private quiet holiday then this is definitely the place for you. Perfect for couples. But there were also families staying there as-well. There is also a bbq out by the big deep pool amoungst the well maintained gardens. The beach at the front has a lot of rocks but there are little spots to swim. They also have cars you can hire which also are well maintained. I would definitely go back. And I highly recommend this place. All staff at this place make your stay very comfortable they are all very friendly and helpful.     

Johnson & Sharna Kingi

Our favourite place to stay, will never stay anywhere else in Raro. Perfect holiday location. Feel very welcome here with amazing staff. Units really well kept and lovely, best view of the whales from our unit. Thankyou Magic Reef we will be back Tina & Tim

Tina & Tim

We had an absolute AMAZING stay at Magic Reef. Loved how private & quiet it was in our beach front bungalow. Laurence & Simonne were really lovely as were the maintenance staff. Clean, airy room with immaculate grounds. Everything we needed. We were allowed to use the snorkeling gear even after we had checked out which we returned with our electric rental car that evening. We are DEFINITELY going back there to stay again! If you want privacy & a non noisey resort with a white sand beach front and pristine aqua waters at your door book Magic Reef! Thanks guys for the Wonderful hospitality 

Alina, James & Lewai Watson

We had a great experience at Magic Reef and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nice peaceful spot with awesome hosts. Lawrence and Simonne were great to deal with and we always felt well looked after. The sunsets are magical and even whales if you're lucky. We spent a bit of time on the island and believe this to be the best spot we found. Thank you for having us! We will be back 🙂

Dana & Sarah

Never been to Rarotonga before so getting married there was a bit of a mission! But boy what a place and to top it all off Magic Reef Bungalows just can't be faulted. Immaculate accommodation with beautiful gardens and a location to die for. Simone, Lawrence, Magic, Captain and there super friendly staff just made our whole experience the best ever! Thanks guys, we will be back sooner rather than later.

Marty Le Roy

Another fantastic stay at the beautiful and relaxing Magic Reef Bungalows. Thank you Simonne and Lawrence for being wonderful hosts.

Matt Hull

We had our wedding here and for us, there couldn’t have been a better place. The Beachfront Bungalow was absolutely breathtaking, directly on the beautiful beach. Lawrence, Simonne and Tallulah are the absolute best and made our wedding unforgettable. Next time we visit the Cook Islands, we’ll definitely stay at Magic Reef again.

Benjamin & Daniela

Just had an amazing week at 'Magic Reef' - so relaxing...bungalow, very pretty gardens, swimming pool one of the cleanest I have been in, 'Magic' the dog and 'Captain' the cat so friendly and the staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Walking distance to several eateries and e-bikes and e-cars on offer - what more could you want!

Heather Royale

Magic Reef caters for all your needs and is sustainable with it. Solar powered ice maker, EV cars and bikes available Bungalows are traditional island living spaces, open plan and spacious with air conditioning. Pool is always beckoning and sparkly clean. Hosts and team are amazingly friendly and helpful. Located close to bars and restaurants on quieter side of the island. Highly recommend if you are after a quiet and private getaway.

Trish McLean

We loved the privacy of the Bungalows and the close proximity to the large outdoor pool. All bungalows have a deck on the front with sun loungers. And just a 30 sec walk takes you out to the outdoor area which overlooks the beach.  We were well looked after by staff and Owners Lawrence and Simonne who just wanted to make sure we enjoyed our holiday. This is our 3rd stay here and we will be going back.

Steph & Nicola May

I have just returned from a 4 day escape to Rarotonga. Hosts Simonne, Lawrence and Tallulah ( who used to live on Waiheke too ) made me feel so welcome. When I arrived there was a beautiful tropical fruit platter and a glass of cool wine was waiting for me. I felt instantly at home. Beautiful aqua waters, white sand and coconut palms, a hammock, all the things you need for relaxation were just outside my bungalow. I came away from this short little getaway refreshed and rejuvenated and I highly recommend the Magic Reef Beachfront Bungalows ❤️

Sonia Littlejohns

If anyone is thinking of heading to The Cook Islands then I cannot recommend Magic Reef Bungalows enough as a place to stay 🧡 If a little piece of paradise right on the ocean...a sanctuary to relax after a day of exploring and activities is what you're after then this is the place for you. There is no Restaurant or Bar to bring in the hoards yet there are awesome places to dine in walking distance just down the beach in either direction. This was my 2nd stay at Magic Reef and It's new hosts Simonne and Lawrence are the bomb, ensuring all your possible needs are met.

YOU MUST VISIT !! 😎

Sonia & Dave Tompkins

Hi guys. We would just like to say a massive thanks for the great hospitality and probably one of the best weeks we have had for a long time. Looking forward to coming back again within the next 12 months. Cheers

Michael & Jenny Mancer, NZ

Thank you sooo much Magic Reef Team for making our stay unforgettable. Waking every morning to the waves lapping at our front door #friendly prompt service and door man/dog Magic walking us to our room when we returned at night was the icing on the cake! Thank you to your little island girl Tallulah - such a beautiful little girl. Lawerence, Simone, Jane, Rangi, David, Luella ko koe to matou whanau.

Queenie & Brendon

Thanks for another wonderful stay. Magic Reef holds a very special place in our hearts and this visit was just as good as the others or maybe even better. You have done an amazing job renovating the gardens, they are stunning. The lagoon has enjoyed less tourists and we were constantly surprised by the masses of fish! Totally blew our minds. Hope to see you all soon. Stay safe. Meitaki ma’ata

Michelle and Pete

There are not enough superlatives to describe our visit at Magic Reef. From reception by Gil to departure our stay was perfect, in this idyllic location. If you are in search of a relaxing, comfortable place to unwind - this is it. Pam and I give it an "11".

Pam & John

A fantastic place to stay- well appointed bungalows, quiet, clean & wonderful staff. Highly recommend Magic Reef Bungalows.
Bonus having E-cars & bikes to hire.

Shaun

Wow, what a magic spot (excuse the pun). We had 7 nights at Magic Reef and loved every minute of it. The bungalows are very comfortable and the view - amazing. Throughout our stay the Magic Reef team made us feel very welcome and nothing was too much trouble. We will be back!!

Warrick & Victoria

Joshua Lee

David & Polly

Fantastic😊😊😊😊. What a beautiful place to relax and unwind. Very hard to leave.

Alan Crofts

The owners and all of the staff were wonderful. We loved our stay at Magic Reef and can't wait to return! We had such a wonderful, relaxing week.

Bonnie Begert

From arrival to the day we left, fantastic, we felt most welcome. Awesome hospitality, awesome space to stay.

Fin Helen

We absolutely loved our stay, first time visitors to the island and we were so impressed, I even did a couple of sessions of yoga for the first time, loved the cold Nu on arrival and every little bit till the very end. Meitaki Ma'ata

Stacey Johnston

It was the most relaxing holiday ever. Especially impressed with the whales you arranged to slap their tails and flippers just in front of our bungalow.

Ann-Louise Hyde

Nothing was ever a problem, from the moment we arrived we were well looked after, gorgeous accommodation, after looking around at several other resorts we are so glad we picked Magic Reef, we could not fault it, magical sunsets, views of the sea from every bungalow, beautiful gardens, superb service from all the team, a big heartfelt thank you for everything

Sheila Shields

Home away from home ... from our pick up which was 11pm our driver was full of joy and welcomed us island style even giving us local information on our drive to the bungalows ...stepping into our bungalow it was magical even better then we had expected or seen in photos , we were greeted with the sound of crashing waves and stunning beach and water views every morning! Nothing at all was to much trouble for the team ... loved the endless supply of ICE for our cocktails 🍸 and the BBQ was a treat for nights in with our own romantic beach dinners , with our guest MAGIC the resident pooch he was so friendly
The semi outdoor bathroom was fabulous, enjoying a bath ! Seeing whales whilst sipping cocktails on the hammock was truly beautiful... We can’t thank you guys enough for making our honeymoon magical with local adventures and dining experiences.... we will return to the island ! Mr & Mrs B 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩

Amanda Neville-Beard