Aitutaki Cook Islands - Holidays Guide

In this Article by South Pacific travel expert Ian Osborn:
Aitutaki Holidays Overview —  The Lagoon & Motu Islands  —  Aitutaki Island 

Aitutaki is a lagoon island measuring 60 sq km in size, a third of which is land, about a 40-minute flight north of Rarotonga in the southern Cook Islands. This is the second most popular island to visit in the Cook Islands with beautiful beaches and a very laid back island style ambience. There are two distinct areas to stay: "Aitutaki Island" has the airport, villages and the majority of the accommodation; "Aitutaki Lagoon" includes the uninhabited coral islands fringing the lagoon and the very southern tip of Aitutaki Island which faces the lagoon and is departure point for the lagoon cruises.

Aitutaki Holidays Overview

Aitutaki offers stunning beaches and a dreamy South Pacific atmosphere making it a popular choice with romantic couples as well as budget travellers looking for a less commercial destination than Rarotonga. There is one main island plus another 26 islets surrounding the lagoon edge which are all uninhabited atolls, except for two which have some sort of accomomdation. These islands are the primary destination of sightseeing on Aitutaki including the two most popular islands to visit being Maina (Honeymoon Island) and One Foot Island.

Aitutaki Cook Islands is a beautiful lagoon atoll roughly a 45-minute flight to the north of Rarotonga Aitutaki is a large and spectacular sunken lagoon almost the size of Rarotonga (measuring 12 km across its base and 15 km from top to bottom) with one main island (Aitutaki) and about 20 small uninhabited islands known as motu fringing the edge of the lagoon, most on the eastern side, and these are the destination of day cruises for its glorious picture postcard beaches and fine snorkelling in the turquoise lagoon within the reef. The main island is mostly flat with a few hills along the northwest where most of the Aitutaki accommodation is located alongside a long and pleasant sandy beach.

There are no direct international flights to Aitutaki but the island is connected by five daily flights from Rarotonga (flight time approx. 40mins ; limited flights on Sunday) and by a monthly ferry service which takes 18 hours. The population of Aitutaki is just over 2,000, spread out along coastal and inland villages.

See our comprehensive Aitutaki Hotel Directory

Aitutaki Lagoon & Motu Islands

The highlight of Aitutaki is undoubtedly exploring the uninhabited motu fringing the lagoon. There are about 20 islands in all, and until recently no one lived there and there was no accommodation. These were true paradise islands. However, Akaiami Island now an upmarket lodge. Day cruises to the motu depart every morning except Sunday, which is a strict day of rest when everything closes down .

The Motu Islands

Most tourists visit the exquisite One Foot Island in the south where it's possible to walk out into the lagoon and along sand banks. One Foot has gorgeous beaches and great views of the other islands, but, with lots of day-trippers all trying to see and do as much as they can in a few hours, the place is rather busy. Snorkelling throughout the lagoon is excellent with loads of friendly fish and giant clams and there is good scuba diving to view the drop-offs outside the main reef. Maina or Honeymoon Island in the west tip is another popular spot and has lots of nesting sea birds and great snorkelling.

Ootu Point

The southern tip the main island of Aitutaki is known as Ootu Point faces the inner lagoon and several day cruises exploring the lagoon depart from here. There is a gorgeous swimming beach with a deep channel for swimming and great views of the island as well as the nearby offshore motu islands. There are several self contained bungalow properties on the point and a couple of independent restaurants. Ootu is a popular picnic spot for locals, especially at Christmas and on public holidays and is also good spot for bone fishing as the lagoon here shallow and protected.

Aitutaki Island

The main island of Aitutaki is much flatter than Rarotonga and much smaller being only about four miles long and just one mile across. Aitutaki has a true south seas atmosphere. The villages are small and sleepy and not a great deal happens here. There's not even a lot of attractions to see. It's simply a place to hire a bike and absorb the tranquillity of the South Seas lifestyle. Stay here for more than a few days and you'll learn how to truly kick back. Aitutaki is ideal for those who want to experience the slow and easy Polynesian lifestyle away from the more commercial tourist centre of Rarotonga, and to enjoy some of the finest palm fringed beaches in the Cook Islands

Arutanga Village

Arutanga Village on the west coast is the main settlement with a lovely white church, wharf, post office, bank, supermarket, restaurant and petrol station. There is no beach at Arutanga, which has a deep water harbour, but the beach begins less than a mile to the north at the village of Ureia with its colourful houses along the main road and large playing field. Outrigger canoes can usually be seen fishing in the lagoon and swimming is OK here although snorkelling not so good.

North-West Aitutaki

The north west coast of Aitutaki boasts a few small boutique shops and restaurants, several budget accommodations and two luxury hotels both on an attractive sandy swimming beach. The white sandy beach with palm groves extends right up the north west coast. A walking trail leads to Mt. Maungapu, the highest point at 124 metres. The track to the summit is quite easy and offers spectacular panoramic views of the island and lagoon.

Southern Aitutaki

The south-east coast is popular with local fishermen and you will see them most days fishing in their outrigger canoes from the jetty at Vaipae, the islands second largest village. There is no beach along the east coast, instead rocky outcrops and tidal mud, not practical for swimming. It's possible to ride a bike along the south coast on a rather bumpy bush track. Although the beach along the entire south coast is tidal and not particularly attractive, it's a great place to explore. The southern end of the island has no villages and is mostly low lying bush. If you follow the signs and look hard enough, you'll find some of the best ancient marae on the island in a small clearing in the bush.