Aitutaki Cook Islands
Travel Guide
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Aitutaki Island
Pacific Travel Guides
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Aitutaki
Cook Islands
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Aitutaki Cook Islands 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.
the main aitutaki highway
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beach at ureia village
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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.
arutanga church
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Mt. Maungapu
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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 has a gorgeous swimming beach and great views of the island. 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.
north east coast
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east coast
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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. If you want absolute tranquillity and great value comfortable accommodation, try Gina's Garden Lodges which is set in lovely tropical gardens inland from the coast. Also in Vaipae is Aitutaki Lodge, a collection of six self catering units which are quite expensive considering there is no beach here. However, the views from the restaurant are great so it's worth calling in for a meal.
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.
southern tip of hook
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bush road
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Aitutaki Day Tours
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Travel Guide
Fiji Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
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