We discover all the best things to do in Aitutaki, from exploring the stunning lagoon and visiting One Foot Island to enjoying local cuisine and cultural experiences.
Aitutaki, often referred to as a slice of paradise in the Cook Islands, is a dream destination for those seeking pristine beaches, turquoise lagoons, and a tranquil escape.
While it may be small in size, Aitutaki offers a range of activities that cater to both adventure seekers and those looking to unwind. Here’s a guide to the top things to do on this stunning island.
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Table of Contents
Aitutaki Lagoon Tour
Aitutaki’s crown jewel is its incredible turquoise lagoon, often considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
It’s the whole reason most people head to Aitutaki in the first place, so number one on your list should be a tour of the lagoon. I can’t tell you how special it is to spend a day on the lagoon, I must have taken a thousand photos or more as it is just so incredibly stunning.
There are several options for lagoon tours, and we checked out two of them. Both were highlights of our trip, each in its own way. I am pleased we did both, they each offered something different, and if you have the time, I would highly recommend doing both.
If you only have time for one, then read below for what each one entails so you can make an informed decision.
TLDR: The Vaka Cruise is a more cruisey, chilled and entertaining day, while the Teking tour is for you if you love to snorkel and/or prefer a more intimate group.
Note – if you book the day tour from Rarotonga with Air Rarotonga, the Vaka Cruise is included.
Vaka Cruise
The Vaka Cruise is the best-known tour in Aitutaki. They own a large (25ft) comfortable and luxurious boat. It offers showers and restrooms, sunloungers, tables and chairs and even a bar!
Although they take a lot of people out at a time, there is plenty of room for everyone. The food is fantastic, the entertainment is fun and it’s an all-round good vibe.
The cruise heads out at 10am and returns at 4pm and takes in several motus (islands) and a couple of snorkelling spots. Lunch is served onboard and then you round up the afternoon with some chill-out time on One Foot Island.
Teking Cruise
The Teking Cruise uses smaller boats and therefore less people. We went one step further and booked a private tour, just for the four of us. This meant that we could call the shots as to how long we wanted to spend at each spot and how much beach time vs snorkelling time we wanted.
We set off at the same time as the other Teking cruise boat, which only had around 10 people on it and we all joined up together for lunch. We did, however, have each snorkelling spot to ourselves, which was pretty special.
If you love to snorkel, then I definitely recommend the Teking Cruise. They know all the best spots and because you are in a small group, it feels very personalised. Snorkelling with George the Grouper and the enormous giant trevally were definite highlights of our trip to the Cook Islands .
Visit One Foot Island (Tapuaetai)
No trip to Aitutaki is complete without visiting One Foot Island, known for its pristine white sand and clear waters.
Pretty much every lagoon tour will take you here as part of the tour, or you can arrange a private transfer if you just want to head straight here.
There’s not much to do here other than chill on the beach, snorkel and swim. But it’s so incredibly beautiful, you won’t want to leave!
Top Tip: Most lagoon tours offer a One Foot Island passport stamp service so if you want this, don’t forget to take your passport with you on the tour.
Explore the Island
Aitutaki is small but there’s not much public transport on offer. Because of this, most hotels and tour operators offer a pickup service from the airport or your accommodation, unlike Rarotonga.
However, if you want to get out and about, explore the island, visit different beaches and try out the different cafes and restaurants, then I would recommend hiring a car or scooter. Some hotels also have bikes to hire.
We hired a car from Rino’s Rentals Aitutaki – it cost us $80 per day. Just send them an email to book. They can collect you from the airport or your hotel to collect your car.
It’s fun to drive around the island, drive up to the lookout, stop off at Avatea Cafe or Koru Cafe for a smoothie, and head to Stonefish Studio Surf Shop.
Hike to Maunga Pu
For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, you can hike up to the highest point on the island, Maunga Pu, to enjoy panoramic views over the lagoon and surrounding motus.
At 407ft, it’s not that a strenuous hike and you can even drive part way up if you have a car. If you don’t have the time to hike, then you can get a glimpse of the lagoon from Piraki Lookout, which you can drive to.
Enjoy Aitutaki’s Beaches
Aitutaki is home to some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the world. The water is super clear, like a swimming pool so don’t forget to bring your snorkel to check out the marine life.
- Tamanu Beach: This was our favourite spot. It’s a quieter beach with soft sand and calm waters, perfect for relaxation.
- Ootu Beach: A popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the sunset.
- Motu Beaches: Take a private boat trip to the motus and experience secluded beaches with no one else in sight.
Enjoy an Island Night
Island nights are a fun way to get a taste of local Cook Islands culture. Hosted by the hotels, you’ll have the chance to sample local cuisine and be entertained by local musicians and dancers.
They have a general feel-good vibe and are a great way for the kids to learn that there’s more to the Cook Islands than beaches and snorkelling.
Tamanu Beach Resort offers two island nights per week – on a Wednesday and a Saturday.
Go Scuba Diving
Most lagoon tours include snorkelling spots, but if you want to head under, then get in touch with Bubbles Below. They know all the best spots and from July through to October they can also arrange diving with the migrating whales.
Have a go at Kite Surfing
Honeymoon Island is renowned throughout the world as being a kite surfing hotspot, thanks to its smooth flat water and favourable wind patterns.
If you are in Aitutaki during kite surfing season (June to October) then give the guys at Wet & Wild a shout. They can offer private lessons, kite gear hire and boat transfer to Honeymoon Island.
Buy a Souvenir T-shirt at Stonefish Studio Surf Shop
Be the envy of your friends when you wear your Aitutaki merch, bought from Stonefish Studio surf shop. This cool little shop has a bit of a cult following thanks to their cool streetwear – t-shirts, singlets, caps and hats.
Where we stayed: Tamanu Beach Resort
Our accommodation in Aitutaki was Tamanu Beach Resort. This was a charming, laidback and somewhat rustic property.
It’s located right on a long stretch of white sand and has a beautiful reef for snorkelling right out the front.
We booked a beachfront villa which was right on the beach with a private verandah and hammock. It had a large comfortable bedroom and a living area, separated by sliding doors, where they set up two single beds for the kids.
The restaurant served great food and you can also walk along the beach to Pacific Resort for dinner (over 12s only).