If you are on the way to the Cook Islands, plan to stay for at least a few days in Aitutaki to have some never-disappearing fun. This island is famous for its activity of snorkeling for 24 hours in its huge aquarium-like lagoon. From Rarotonga, you can take the Air Rarotonga flight that operates daily. The airline service also provides the Aitutaki Day Tour right from your Rarotonga hotel/stay that also includes pick and drop airport services and lagoon cruise arrangement on the island along with lunch, towels, and snorkeling gear.

Despite the fact that Aitutaki does not have much to visit as compared to Rarotonga, it is yet the main provider of produce to Rarotonga, which is flanked with coconut, pineapple, banana, and tapioca plantations. The administrative center, maximum shops, and the main quay are sprinkled on the west wherein a thin and shallow passage spread via the reef. The island is the homeland of late Sir Albert Henry in whose honor a split road to the quay is so named with another lane dedicated to his wife, Elizabeth.

Aitutaki Tourism

• Christian Church:
  Located to the south of the post office in Arutanga, this is the Cook Islands’ oldest church made up of coral and limestone in 1839. In its facade, the monument is dedicated to John Williams who was the discovering disciple landed on Aitutaki in October 1821, and to Papeiha, the Tahitian tutor who also came along with Williams to convert the complete island. Talking about the interiors, it is quite strange as the altar is perched on a side instead of being at an end. Many people worship from different nearby villages to worship during services by sitting together. However, visitors are free to sit anywhere at the time of services at 10 am on Sunday. From the ceiling, a dedicated anchor is an icon of hope.
• Historic Walk on the Paved Roads:
  A web of paved roads stretches from Arutanga to Viapai and Tautu villages on the east and to the airport at the north. The big airstrip made during the World War II was the efforts of nearly 1,000 American servicemen who took help from the local people.
• Aitutaki Discovery Safari:
  This excursion is on 4X4 vehicle that will take you to an old marae, up to Mount Maungapu, a plantation area, and World War bunker locations. Mostly, this tour is will take your half of the day along with the cost of NZ$55 (US$44/£22) per person.
• Lagoon Excursions:
  This is the main reason for people coming to this island. The trip starts at 9 am and culminates at 4 pm. While the morning is dedicated to cruising, the midday is on a reef island for swimming and snorkeling. However, this schedule is subject to change based on the climate and the visitors’ demands. One of the common destinations is Tapuaetai meaning One Foot Island along with its neighboring sandbar – the Nude Island that is named so due to lack of vegetation. There is an interesting legend behind its name of One Foot. An ancient chief had asked his subjects not to do fishing, but once he and his soldiers saw two people, a man and his young boy, doing so on the reef. When they ran to chase the two, the boy stepping in his father’s footprints ran and hid on the coconut tree. So, the chief caught the father who proclaimed to be the only person fishing. However, the chief searched for the other boy but could not find him and so killed the father. After this, the island is called as Tapuaetai (tapuae – footprint and tai – one). Some cucumber-like dark substances can be seen on the bottom of the lagoon, which are harmless beche-de-mer (sea slugs).
• Aitutaki Glass Bottom Boating:
  This is the easiest way to explore the lagoon whose 6-hour trip takes NZ$35 (US$28/£14).
• Boating:
  Take up a kayak at Samade on the Beach at the north of the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa whose rent varies from NZ$10 (US$8/£4) per hour to NZ$20 (US$16/£8) per day. Else, at the Ranginui’s Retreat, the Wet & Wild Adventure Tours provides rented motor boats for NZ$500 (US$400/£200) per day along with the facilities for water-skiing and wake-boarding.
• Golf:
  The 9-hole course at the Aitutaki Golf Club located on the northern tip of the island between the airport and the sea is a nice place for the sport. At the club, you can take up the equipment on rent. However, what lack in the club are phone services and no regular hour service. However, your stay place meaning your hotel or guest house can fulfill that for you. Members throng here between May and August.
• Hiking:
  Challenge yourself to reach the pinnacle of Mount Maungapu, which is the highest point, at 124 m in Aitutaki. The hike starts from the Paradise Cove Guest House located at 1 mile north of The Pacific Resort. Following uphill for 1.5 km, the trail is usually well maintained and is easy to climb. However, do not forget to wear trousers. Once you reach the peak, your efforts are rewarded in form of magnificent views including the entire Aitutaki and its lagoon. Try to reach the peak either during sunrise and sunset.
• Scuba Diving & Snorkeling:
  Due to the shallow waters of the lagoon, scuba diving sites over the reef’s edge that provide some ideal memories. Divers and snorkelers can be with Neil Mitchell of Aitutaki Scuba or Onu Hewett of Bubbles, whose charges are NZ$95 (US$76/£38) per one-tank dive. The preferable site to snorkel on the mainland is opposite the north end of the small strip at the airport adjacent to the radio antenna. Here, at high tide, swim to the reef’s edge but do follow the usual warnings.

Aitutaki Island Accommodation

• Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa
• Etu Moana Beach Villas
• Matriki Beach Huts
• Ranginui’s Retreat
• The Pacific Resort