Top 5 Things to do in Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Book Your Dream Cruise

One of the Cook Islands, located in the South Pacific, is Aitutaki. There is a major island, a turquoise lagoon, and a barrier reef all around it. Rays, bonefish, and turtles are among the marine fauna that abound in the lagoon's waters. Trails go up Maunga Pu hill close to the Arutanga major town. Boats run to motu, or smaller, deserted islands, such as the well-known Tapuaetai with its white sand beaches.

The most stunning blue lagoon on earth, Aitutaki, offers an incredible range of activities: cruising the lagoon, camping out on uninhabited Motus, kayaking to unspoiled islets, spearfishing with the locals, hanging out and surfing on Honeymoon Island, and discovering undiscovered locations and eateries.

Top Things to do in Aitutaki, Cook Islands 

Here are our insider recommendations for all the top 5 things to do in Aitutaki to ensure you have an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

1. Cruising the lagoon by kayak and boat

One of the most stunning places on earth, Aitutaki's gorgeous turquoise-blue lagoon is the place to be.

Travel the entire lagoon region in a water taxi. Kayaks are a fantastic option for getting to the islets on the eastern side of the lagoon, and you can use them to get to the Motus as well. Start at Ootu Beach on the peninsula of the mainland, for instance, then travel to Motus Akitua, Angarai, Ee, and Mangere. You may also row from Motu Akaiami to Tavaerua Iti and Tavaerua Nui in the north or to Muritapua, Tekopua, and One Foot Island in the south.

2. Spend the night on One Foot Island

The most well-known Motu in Aitutaki is One Foot Island, or Tapuaetai in Maori. Nearly 10 kilometers/6.2 miles separate it from the main island, where it is located in the southeast part of the lagoon.

The islet boasts the finest turquoise-blue water and a beach with sparkling white sand. On its back, it offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the lagoon.

For island lovers who wish to entirely disconnect, it is the best destination on earth. Staying there overnight, or even better, for a few days, would be an experience of a lifetime. This is undoubtedly one of Aitutaki's most distinctive activities.

One of the most breathtaking places on earth is all yours once the few daily boats have left. You may stroll over the sandbar Slice of Heaven during low tide to One Foot Island, a beautiful adjacent island.

You may book a two-story guesthouse in Tapuaetai for up to 4 persons. It is housed under palm trees and offers a great view of the beach.

The ideal setting for a fantastic experience, despite being simple!

3. Stay the night on Motu Akaiami

Spending a few days on Akaiami, one of the sizable Motus on the eastern shore of Aitutaki's lagoon, is another unforgettable experience.

With a view of the lagoon and the mainland in the evening, you can take in the magnificent sunset. Or, you may trek to the island's rear through its rain forest. There, you may see the wide Pacific Ocean with its powerful waves, the untamed reef, and a coral-filled beach. It is especially lovely during sunsets.

Additionally, there's a strong possibility that you'll see the coconut crabs that dwell in Akaiami's rainforest region.

Two guest homes at the Motu can accommodate up to 8 persons each. They are simple but ideal for a short visit of a few days.

You may row down to One Foot Island in the south or explore the Motus Tavaerua Iti and Tavaerua Nui in the north using kayaks.

There are several great snorkeling places nearby, so bring your equipment.

4. Motus Ee & Mangere and the rockpools

There are two islands, Ee and Mangere, which are close to one another but rarely visited.

Both are surrounded by beautiful palms and isolated sandy beaches. They are only a few steps away from the mainland, and it takes around 20 minutes to kayak there from the southern extremity of the Ootu peninsula.

As you explore the Motus and attempt to break coconuts—there are several of them nearby—you may get into the spirit of Robinson Crusoe. A waterway runs between the two islands and terminates not far from the atoll. And there, nature has created amazing rock pools that are a lot of fun to swim in. Get a kayak and head out after preparing some food, drink, and ensuring sun protection.

5. Adventures above and below the ocean

You must take advantage of all that the waters of Aitutaki have to offer. They are among the top things to do in Aitutaki.

There are a tonne of snorkeling options inside the lagoon such as surrounding the Motus Tavaerua Iti and Nui on the eastern side of the atoll and between Akaiami, Muritapua, and Tekopua. Schools of small reef fish, a few turtles, and other colorful marine life thrive along the southern atoll's edge in the purple and green-yellow coral banks.

Additionally, the enormous clams and the western lagoon are where the stunning Napoleon fish and schools of bluefin trevallies like to hang out.

There are numerous Giant Trevallies near One Foot Island and Slice of Heaven (GTs). They frequently visit when they see boats since they are accustomed to receiving leftover food from fishermen and tour operators. Swimming with these large black fish is amazing.

However, seeing a humpback whale during the whale season, which runs from July to October, is the most fantastic thing you can do outside the lagoon. On the west side of the atoll, they are often piled high near the Arutanga channel. With their extensive knowledge of these remarkable behaviors, the local guides lead you there to swim or snorkel with them.

What’s next?

The above activities are the top 5 things to do in Aitutaki, Cook Islands and engaging in them will let you broaden your horizons and experience new things. Find cruises on CruiseBooking.com that depart from and go to Aitutaki, Cook Islands, as well as from other surrounding areas to find amazing cruise holiday alternatives.