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The coastal road of Aitutaki is mostly bitumen but in places along the south and east coast the road is still sandy. There is little traffic on Aitutaki and few cars or trucks - most people get about by moped.
Arutanga Town is the main centre for Aitutaki with a small market, handcraft shops, two restaurants, post office, petrol station and supermarket. The beach along the west coast of Aitutaki from Arutanga Town to Amuri Village, the most populated part of Aitutaki. Just over 2000 people live on the island. The village of Ureia extends from Arutanga Town.
This picturesque stretch of beach starts from the coastal road beside the northern point of the airstrip and extends several miles to the south making an excellent beach stroll. Beach front at Are Tamanu Beach Hotel on the north west coast of Aitutaki where most of the islands accommodation is located. There is good swimming in the lagoon and snorkelling is excellent a km north near the end of the airport runway. There's a lovely beach front at Pacific Resort Aitutaki, the largest resort on Aitutaki with just 30 private bungalows and villas. There are several lovely restaurants nearby.
The east coast of Aitutaki is low lying with a shallow tidal coastline. There are several villages along the coast where there's good fishing in the lagoon. At low tide, the dried sand beach along the east coast makes a popular place for locals to test the speed of their motor cycles. There is just one small resort on this rocky beach-less coastline, Aitutaki Lodges. here is little traffic on Aitutaki's sealed roads and house are hidden off the roadside behind colourful plants.
Low tide along the south coast of Aitutaki. There are no roads here, only bush trails, an abandoned village and stones of historical significance lost in the bush. At high tide, the sea comes right up to the coast. The coastline along the south west coast is rather featureless - a bush trail follows the coast but there are no beaches or villages here - just one small resort, Maina Sunset, which has no real focus or attraction. except for bush trails leading to plantations and hidden archaeological sites
The wild, wind exposed beach along the northern tip of Aitutaki is seldom visited by tourists. This makes a great place for beachcombing and watching locals fish within the reef.
Roads meander throughout central Aitutaki where there are several small villages, the high school, hospital and family plantations. The highest point on Aitutaki is the summit of Maunapu at only 124 metres but has great views looking out over the lagoon.
Ootu Point, known as the Gateway to the Islands, offers a stunning outlook over the lagoon and bay with views back to the main island of Aitutaki. Though shallow water, most resorts have dug a deep trench in front of their property for all tide swimming. The beach at Ranginui is a mix of coarse and fine sand. The natural passage in front of the resort offers good swimming and overlooks the island of Akitua. Day cruises for the islands depart from here. Aitutaki Village is a popular beach front restaurant and bar open to the public with fine ocean views.
The fine beach on Akitua Island has been developed into the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort - the deep passage in front of the resort has been dredged to enable all tide swimming and the island is connected to Aitutaki by a bridge.
The shallow lagoon, and sand spits around One Foot Island make this a spectacular setting. The sand bar off One Foot Island can be walked to at low tide. Resembling a Foot from the air, One Foot Island reputedly got its name after a stowaway covered the trace of his footprints in the sand whilst being pursued by locals. The glorious beach of One Foot Island makes this the most popular day trip destination from the main island of Aitutaki. The second largest island in Aitutaki Lagoon is Tekopua, a long flat uninhabited coral island with lovely beaches. The island can be explored on a private cruise. Pellucid waters and deserted white sandy beaches on Akaiami Island where there is a small luxury eco lodge offering absolute peace and quiet and the only accommodation on these offshore islands. Akaiami Island where there is a small luxury eco lodge offering absolute peace and quiet.