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Aitutaki is an island atoll that forms part of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific region of Polynesia. It is the second most populous of the Cook Islands after Rarotonga with a permanent population of around 1,800 people.
The island sits within the Aitutaki lagoon, a stretch of still, turquoise water considered the most beautiful on earth. There are 15 smaller islets (known locally as motu) stretching around the lagoon, each with palm-lined, white sand beaches.
There are many wonderful things to do on Aitutaki Cook Islands, from sunbathing and swimming to kayaking, paddle boarding and jungle hikes.
Aitutaki is so beautiful that in 2010 Tony Wheeler of Lonely Planet named it “the most beautiful island in the world!”
In this travel guide, you’ll learn all you need to know about what there is to do, getting there and how to get around this island paradise.
A Brief History
The Cook Islands are so named after being discovered by Captain James Cook in 1773, however, the islands were populated long before by the native Polynesian Maori. The first European to set foot on the island of Aitutaki was Captain Blyth of the HMS Bounty (famed for the mutiny on the Bounty) in 1789.
In 1821 the London Missionary Society introduced Christianity to the native people of Aitutaki and from there it spread to the other Pacific islands of the archipelago (you can see evidence of this from the churches on Aitutaki and Rarotonga).
In 1888 the islands were declared a British protectorate, but in 1901 they were overseen by New Zealand. In 1965 the Cook Islands gained independence and became self-governing in association with New Zealand.
How to get to Aitutaki
By Air
The only way to reach Aitutaki from outside of the Cook Islands is to fly first to Rarotonga and then take a flight to Aitutaki.
Air New Zealand has flights to Rarotonga from Auckland which take 3h50m.
To reach Aitutaki from Rarotonga there are flights with Air Rarotonga and the flight time is just 50 minutes.
There are shuttle services from Aitutaki airport to most hotels, bungalows and resorts on the island. It’s possible to hire a car at the airport, but given the size of the island, this isn’t necessary and it’s better to explore by bicycle or scooter (see below).
By Sea
There are infrequent supply ships that travel between Rarotonga and Aitutaki with the journey taking around 18 hours.
However, these boats are few and far between and it may be weeks between sailings, so you will need to make all preparations well in advance if wishing to travel by sea.
Some cruise ships also include Aitutaki and the Cook Islands on their tours of the South Pacific.
Getting Around the Island
As Aitutaki is such a small island, getting around is easy. The best way to explore is to rent a bicycle or scooter which can be done from any of the resorts or rental shops such as Rino’s Rentals.
Scooters cost around $20.00 NZD per day. Be advised that you’ll need to get a temporary license in Rarotonga to be able to ride a scooter anywhere in the Cook Islands.
It’s worth noting that there are no buses or taxis on the island, so if you want to explore on your own, a bike or scooter will be a great way to get around. It’s not really worth hiring a car given the small distances between places, but should you wish to do so there are car hire options at the airport.
Aitutaki Cook Islands Amenities
Even though Aitutaki is over 2,000 miles from the nearest large settlement, you can still find everything you need for your stay on the island.
There are three grocery stores, a couple of bakeries, and plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants dotted across the island. As you would expect, there are plenty of places to buy fresh fish and seafood straight from the boat, such as the small market on the wharf.
There are places to hire snorkeling and dive equipment, and you’ll find free WIFI at all the major resorts. However, it pays to remember how remote these islands are, so you should make sure you have any medication and essentials you need to last your entire stay.
Aitutaki Weather
This little corner of the South Pacific benefits from year-round warm weather thanks to its tropical location. Even in winter, the temperature rarely drops below 24 Celcius / 75 Fahrenheit.
April to November is the best time to visit the Cook Islands as this is the driest period and temperatures hover around the 30 Celsius / 100 Fahrenheit mark.
You can expect showers year-round, but outside of the rainy season (November to March), the downpours are usually short-lived.
What to Bring on a trip to Aitutaki
You’ll want to pack light clothes for the tropical weather, including a long sleeve shirt to protect against the sun. As the islands can experience rain at any time of year a raincoat is a good addition.
Below are some essentials that you should pack for your trip to Aitutaki Cook Islands:
- T-shirts
- Shorts/skirt/summer dress
- Long sleeve shirt
- Waterproof jacket
- Swimwear
- Flip flops/sandals
- Walking shoes
- Towel
- Sun cream
It pays to bring all the toiletries you will need with you as you won’t find a large selection on the island. Be sure to bring any medication you need as there isn’t a pharmacy in Aitutaki (though there is a hospital in case of emergencies).
Top Things to do in Aitutaki Cook Islands
1. Take a Cruise on Aitutaki Lagoon
One of the best ways to experience the splendor of the Aitutaki lagoon is to take a lagoon cruise. The Vaka Cruise is a six-hour journey around the lagoon that takes in some of the most stunning beaches, reefs and islands in the world.
You’ll have the opportunity to swim, snorkel and enjoy a picnic lunch as you discover a true slice of heaven on earth. See the beautiful parrotfish, trevallies and coral beneath the azure-blue sea. Relax on white sand beaches as coconut palms sway in the gentle breeze.
The Vaka Cruise includes hotel pickup from Aitutaki, snorkeling equipment, towels and a bbq lunch. The tour departs at 10:00 am and returns at 4:00 pm Monday to Saturday and costs $149.00 NZD.
No trip to the island is complete without exploring the world’s most beautiful lagoon!
2. Hit O’otu Beach
If you’re looking for a little slice of heaven, then O’otu beach is definitely the place for you. With soft white sand backed by lush jungle and palm trees, O’otu looks like it has been lifted straight out of a holiday brochure.
The still waters that gently lap at the shore are protected by the headland, so this is the perfect spot for swimming and snorkeling. There are also places to hire paddle boards and kayaks which is a great way to explore the beautiful lagoon.
There are beachfront bars and restaurants so it’s easy to spend a full day here, with everything you could possibly need on hand.
3. Try Scuba Diving
You’ll be pleased to learn that the waters around Aitutaki Cook Islands are warmer and have better visibility than its neighbor, Rarotonga, 164 miles to the south. So what better place to go scuba diving?
Dive Aitutaki offers a range of dive packages and PADI dive courses starting at under $200.00 per person.
You’ll be able to explore colorful coral reefs and see a vast array of marine life from wrasse, trevally and tuna to larger species such as barracuda, turtles and reef sharks. You may even be lucky enough to dive with humpback whales which pass by these islands every year (see below).
4. Go Whale Watching
From July to October each year humpback whales pass through Aitutaki Cook Islands on their way north from the feeding grounds in New Zealand and Australia.
You can witness these giants of the deep on a boat tour, or even swim/dive with them if the fancy takes you. Operators like Dive Aitutaki have a range of whale-watching tours available.
If you want a chance of spotting the whales on your own, the best place is the northwest of the island towards the airport. The whales can usually be seen just beyond the reef there.
5. Hike to Piraki Lookout
Piraki lookout is the highest point on Aitutaki and commands incredible views out across the lagoon.
You can hike to the peak which requires a moderate level of fitness as it’s all uphill (obviously), but the route is mostly paved and follows a road to the top, so driving or going by scooter are also options.
If you do opt to hike up, be sure to take plenty of water and cover up as the route is exposed. From the lookout, there are several inland hiking trails through the jungle with more impressive views of the island and lagoon.
6. Discover Aitutaki Secret Garden
Willy “Bill” Tschan is a Swiss native who left his homeland in search of adventure. In 1968 he moved to Rarotonga before settling on Aitutaki and marrying a local girl while running a canning factory.
The happy couple was bestowed a 3-acre piece of land that was nothing but jungle back then, however after years of careful cultivation, they have created the Aitutaki Secret Garden. The garden is now home to over 100 varieties of fruits from local to southeast Asian, Pacific and even South American varieties.
Join Bill for one of his daily two-hour tours around his garden where you can learn all about his passion for gardening and delight in this wonderful botanical gem.
7. Take a Day Trip to One Foot Island
One Foot Island (known locally as Tapuaetai) is the farthest of the motu / islets in the Aitutaki archipelago. If you really want to experience that Robinson Crusoe castaway adventure, then this is the place to do it!
The island is only 570 meters by 210 meters but contains one of the most picturesque beaches in the world. This is the place to get that perfect Instagram shot, and is so stunning it is used as a regular backdrop for weddings.
There is even a small post office on One Foot Island where you can get your passport stamped (but be careful with novelty passport stamps as they can invalidate your passport).
The island makes a great day trip from Aitutaki and can only be reached by boat.
8. Go Fishing
The waters around Aitutaki have some of the best fishing in the world. With giant trevally, yellowfin tuna and more, this is the perfect place to catch your supper.
Black Pearl Charters offer a range of fishing experiences for all abilities, from boat trips to spearfishing. Costs start from around $200.00 for a half day charter, with all equipment being provided. Going fishing is definitely one of the best things to do in Aitutaki Cook Islands!
9. Aitutaki Punarei Culture Day Tour
If you really want to get a feel for the culture of Aitutaki and learn about the native Polynesian Maori people that have inhabited the island for centuries, then you should check out this amazing tour.
You’ll learn all about the traditions of the native population, see some important sites and enjoy a traditional Maori lunch among other things.
10. Climb Mount Maungapu
This short but strenuous hike is well worth doing for the incredible panoramic views from the top. You can see across the whole island, lagoon and the outlying islands.
The peak sits at 124 meters above sea level, which isn’t exactly Everest, however the path at the top is on steep gravel, so you’ll need to wear appropriate footwear and take plenty of water.
11. Explore Moturakau Island
Moturakau is another small island in the archipelago south of Aitutaki. It was used as a destination for the British reality television series Shipwrecked. This tropical desert island is blessed with perfect white sandy beaches and overlooks the turquoise waters of the lagoon.
Like nearby One Foot Island, you can reach Moturakau by boat from Aitutaki. Check with your resort for details.
Conclusion
Aitutaki Cook Islands really is a slice of heaven on earth. With such stunning scenery at every turn, a trip to this paradise island is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. From soaking up the sun on the white sandy beaches to swimming with whales or jungle hikes, you certainly won’t be bored with a trip to Aitutaki.
Featured Image Credit: Patrick Oberem
