Aitutaki Island is an ‘almost atoll’. When arriving by air in December from Rarotonga, we understood why: this large, beautiful lagoon is surrounded by a (very!) lively coral reef with several small islets. Unlike typical ring-shaped atolls like those in the Maldives, Aitutaki has a main volcanic island. But the lagoon’s turquoise waters and the numerous motus (islets) are the real highlights here.
Our Stay: Pacific Resort Aitutaki
During our Cook Islands trip, we stayed for 3 nights on Aitutaki, but 2 nights would already be great! Here, we stayed at the Pacific Resort in Aitutaki, which is hard to beat. This luxury boutique resort has direct lagoon access, so in the mornings, we rolled out of bed and jumped straight into the water. (Be sure to book your stay in advance here).
Their restaurant is a great place to go for sunset (even if you’re not staying here!) Note: You need to make a reservation the day before to secure a good spot in the restaurant.
Pacific Resort does have a high price tag, but Aituktaki has accommodations for different kinds of budgets that we listed below:
Tip: Make sure you bring an I-type power plug or bring an adapter. It’s the same as in Australia and New Zealand.
Getting to Aitutaki
Flying to Aitutaki (40 minutes) is going to be the most expensive part of your trip in the Cook Islands. There are two ways that people visit Aitutaki:
- Fly for a one-day trip, including the Vaka Cruise (750 NZD per person).
- Or fly, and stay for multiple (2-3) days – this is what we recommend, one day in Aitutaki is just too short.
For return flights from Rarotonga, we paid 726 NZD per person. They typically range between 700-800 NZD (350-400 EUR). It is pricey, but we found Aitutaki 100% worth it – it is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. There are no direct international flights; you have to pass through Rarotonga.
Things to do in Aitutaki
Aitutaki Private Boat Trip
This was our absolute highlight in Aitutaki, which we’d like to recommend to everyone! A private boat trip so that you have the lagoon almost to yourself! Because with the popular (and still very cool) Vaka Cruise, you’ll be with a group and arrive at busier times.
We booked a 5-hour private tour with Kutekute (via Instagram) for 799 NZD (400 EUR). We could decide for ourselves where we wanted to go, but the captain also recommended their favorite spots. Especially the snorkeling spot was out of this world! (And had zero tourists!)
Our experience included:
- A fantastic picnic lunch, which was so good, we still talk about it.
- Snorkeling at an incredible spot—entirely on our own.
- Floating down the lagoon stream with floaties at the start of the lagoon.
Five to six hours is the sweet spot: relaxed, unrushed, and just enough time to see the best of the lagoon without feeling tired.
Vaka Cruise – The Famous Aitutaki Day Trip
One of the main things to do in Aituktaki is the Vaka Cruise. We did this cruise on our first day, which started at 09:30 AM. But because the cruise is a popular Aitutaki day trip from Rarotonga, we waited until 10:00 AM for them to arrive. So this means you’ll be sharing the lagoon with day-trippers. Still 100% worth it, but it is worth considering a private boat tour, which we did as well (read here)!
Everything was so well-organized:
- Clear timings at each spot (like 20 min at the first spot, 30 min at the second, 1 hour at One Foot Island)
- Great explanations along the way – we learned quite a bit about the animals and the islands.
- It didn’t feel rushed at all; we had a very relaxed island pace.
- A genuinely fun crew who clearly love what they do (and respect the lagoon).
The old-style catamaran was spacious and comfortable, even with the larger group, and the onboard facilities were great too, with toilets and even showers.
December is the rainy season, but we only had half a day of rain during our entire time in the Cook Islands. Yes, a bit of a gamble, but it meant it was less busy and more affordable!
During the day, we stopped at multiple spots around the lagoon:
- Akaimi for a dreamy beach walk.
- Matuakua for an island walk among white terns fluttering overhead.
- A snorkeling spot with giant clams, colourful coral, and huge fish—including giant trevally that confidently swim right up to you (some over a meter long!).
- One Foot Island, Aitutaki: the main highlight and our definition of paradise.
Kayak
The kayaking we did around Aitutaki, especially on the west side of the island, is truly underrated. That area has calm waters due to the beautiful shallow reefs.
We stayed at Pacific Resort Aitutaki, where kayaks are included, and we headed out when the sun was out. When it’s sunny, and you paddle along the reefs, you can see the coral garden from above, and spot so many fish! Just be careful not to touch any of the reefs. Tip: Ask your hotel where to rent kayaks near your accommodation.
Ootu Beach
One of the best beaches on Aitutaki that you can visit without a boat tour is Ootu Beach. Its powdery, white sand and shallow turquoise water make it the perfect place for a swim or a relaxed afternoon. There is this lagoon, where you can get in and let yourself float down to the end of the sandbank.
We had a coconut, right next to the lagoon, and lunch about 1 min biking away:
- Blue Lagoon Restaurant: fresh coconuts!
- Koru Café: delicious food (note: usually open till 3 PM).
Getting there is half the fun: if you’re cycling, you’ll pass right by the airstrip, which feels surreal! You can even monitor the flight tracker to see when one will land.
Explore Moturakau
We visited Moturakau Island during the Vaka Cruise, and it is a breeding paradise for the White Tern, a small, beautiful seabird. You can walk across the island, watch the birds, and see the chicks in the trees. There are also a few beaches around the island that are worth visiting.
You can walk around the entire island in about 20 minutes, but we recommend you spend much longer on this island – at least 1 hour, maybe 2!
Some tips for timing: It’s the main stop on most lagoon tours, so it gets busiest around 1 PM. If you’re visiting by private boat, aim for earlier or later (after 3 PM) to experience it at its quietest.
How to Get to One Foot Island?
You can only reach One Foot Island by boat, either on a lagoon cruise like the Vaka Cruise or via a private boat tour. There’s no independent access, which helps keep it beautifully spoiled.
Bike Around Aitutaki Island
Aitutaki Island is small enough to explore on two wheels. From one end to the other is only 10 KM! With quiet roads and hardly any traffic, biking around the island is quite easy. We had stunning coastal views, passed by the oldest church in the Cook Islands, and literally cycled along the airstrip.
Aitutaki is 1 of the 15 Cook Islands, with only 900 (!) residents, and the people are very welcoming to visitors. When biking around this island, all the locals waved at us – so lovely!
Best Food Spots in Aitutaki
These were our go-to food spots in Aitutaki:
- Resort Tava’e Restaurant
- Pacific Resort Restaurant (very nice setting)
- Wokkai: an Asian takeaway spot
- Koru Cafe: perfect for lunch
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Where did you fly from and to?
To get to the Cook Islands we flew from Auckland to Rarotonga, and from Rarotonga to Aitutaki.