In Nim 's Island , Rarotonga fictionally serves as a stop spot between San Francisco and a South Pacific Island .
`` *In the 2008 film `` Nim 's Island '' , Rarotonga is portrayed as a waypoint for fictional adventure writer Alexandra Rover ( Jodie Foster ) on her journey from San Francisco to a South Pacific island located at 20°S 162°W . On this island lives 11 year-old Nim Rusoe ( Abigail Breslin ) with her marine biologist father , Jack ( Gerard Butler ) and assorted `` less than traditional '' pets.
Rarotonga