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Aitutaki
Cook Islands
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aitutaki pictures map
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Aitutaki lies a 45-minute flight to the north of Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook Islands in the heart of the South Pacific. There are no direct international flights to Aitutaki but the island is connected by five daily flights from Rarotonga (flight time approx. 40mins ; no 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.
Aitutaki is a large and spectacular sunken lagoon almost the size of Rarotonga with one main island (Aitutaki) and about 20 small uninhabited islands (locally referred to as motu) along the edge of the fringing reef. 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.
The main island of Aitutaki Lagoon 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 one of the most exquisite lagoons in the world. The lagoon itself is large - the largest island in the Cook Islands, Rarotonga, can fit inside it. The lagoon is 12 km across its base and 15km from top to bottom. The main island is called Aitutaki - it is a flat island on the north section of the lagoon. There are another 20 small Uninhabited Islands (motu) along the edge of the lagoon, most on the east fringe.
Getting to Aitutaki is easy - Air Rarotonga have four daily flights (no flights on Sunday) costing about NZ$450 round-trip.
The main island of Aitutaki has a population of about 2000. The island has a pretty coastal road and several cross island roads making exploring easy. There are also lots of bush tracks meandering through inland plantations. There is no regular bus service so the best way to get around is by moped or bicycle which can be hired from most hotels. You could even walk to most places on the island given a good sun hat and plenty of drinking water.
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. There are a few budget accommodations here including the cheapest, Toms Beach Cottage, a rather run-down collection of rooms, and the slightly more presentable Rinos Beach Bungalows.
North of Ureia Village is another attractive village. Amuri boasts a few small boutique shops and restaurants and the new luxury Pacific Resort Aitutaki which offers 30 bungalows and villas on an attractive sandy swimming beach with another 40 planned for construction. The white sandy beach with palm groves extends from Pacific Resort right up the north west coast. Aitutaki Villa, a private holiday home sits right on the swimming beach and a little further north are the adjacent properties Are Tamanu Hotel, offering 12 luxury bungalows and the budget Matriki Beach Huts which offers sailing and private lagoon trips. A trail leads north of here 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.
The southern tip of the finger known as Ootu Point has a gorgeous swimming beach and great views of the island - it is also the departure point for most of the island day cruises. There are half a dozen small properties here, the pick of the bunch being Samade Beach Bungalows which ofers A-Frame wooden huts with hot water ensuite bathrooms and a lovely sand floor restaurant. The budget Ranginui's Retreat has six basic self contained bungalows on the beach whilst Popoara Ocean Breeze Villas offers 4 self catering units in amongst tropical pandanus trees. Around the point on the lagoon is the new Inano Beach Bungalows which has five self catering bungalows. A land bridge connects the main island to the small island of Akitua which boasts the Aitutaki Beach Resort.
The 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 on the east coast, instead rocky outcrops and tidal mud, not practical for swimming. There are two accommodations here, Gina's Garden Lodges which is set in tropical gardens inland from the coast at Vaipae Village. Also in Vaipae is Aitutaki Lodge, a collection of six self catering units which are quite expensive considering there is no beach here.
It's possible to ride a bike along the south coast either on the beach (at low tide) or 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 tip of the island has no villages and is mostly low lying bush with a few family plantations. 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. Along the south east coast is Maina Sunset Motel, located on a marshy coastline about 15 minutes ride south of Arutanga Village. Although it offers clean units and a swimming pool, the location is not ideal.
The large lagoon and uninhabited motus encircling the reef are Aitutaki's greatest attraction. There are several day cruises which explore the lagoon and motu and visit some fine palm-fringed sandy beaches, notably One Foot Island. All cruises depart early morning (connections with Air Rarotonga day excursions from Rarotonga) and offer snorkelling, barbecue lunch and then a few hours relaxing on the beach. It takes about an hour to cruise from Aitutaki to One Foot Island in the far south of the lagoon and it's possible to hire a boat and driver for the day to explore other islands.
more info about Aitutaki Lagoon
Getting There
Air Rarotonga offers four daily flights from Rarotonga except Sunday - 45 minutes - depart from 8am to 4.30pm and twice weekly connections via Atiu Island.
Cargo boats leave Avatiu Harbour for Aitutaki once or twice a month (18 hours).
search for ... Aitutaki Resorts
find ... Aitutaki Tour Companies
continue to ... Atiu Island
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Fiji Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
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