Internal airline, Air Rarotonga operates multiple flights a week from both Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Flying time in each case is 45-50 minutes. And you can easily combine a trip to both islands. When travelling from Aitutaki, your plane passes the country's two uninhabited islands, Manuae and Takutea. There are also internal flights which link up with international services to Rarotonga
DAY TRIPS
Day trips from Rarotonga are popular and include a fabulous lagoon cruise. They're very pricey at around NZ$600....but I defy you not to say it was well worth the money when you return from the trip. Get more details from the tourist board or Air Rarotonga
These are the sort of scenes you'll see as you fly into Aitutaki. The second and third photos are the shoreline in front of Moto Akaiami where the flying boats of the 1950s used to land when taking the great Coral Route as it was called. There's more about that here
The main island has plenty of places to suit a wide range of budgets. They include the Cook Islands’ only overwater bungalows, boutique properties and an award winning luxury hotel complete with infinity pool that seems to stretch into the lagoon itself. There are also private villas dotted around the island. And on the tiny motu (islet) of Akaiami there's a private lodge rebuilt on the exact spot that was the terminal for the flying boats of the 1950s. The tourist board has details of accommodation here (This link is for information and is not an endorsement of any of the properties and is not a complete list of all accommodation)
A leisurely walk is the best way to meet the locals and explore. If you're up to it, climb 124 metres to the highest point, Maunaga Pu for a great view of the whole island. Cars and scooters can be rented; a scooter is typically NZ$25-30 and a car around NZ$50 a day plus petrol which is very pricey compared to the US but similar to UK and European costs. And you'll need to show the hire company and the police a suitable driving licence in English. There are some taxis too, but these can be expensive.
A lagoon cruise on a boat like this is the easiest way to explore and enjoy the stunning lagoon and its many motus. British and US visitors may recognise some of the little islets from the TV series "Shipwrecked" (Channel 4 and E4) and "Survivor Cook Islands" (CBS). Those two series were seen by more people than have visited Aitutaki in its entire history! The lagoon is 10.5 metres (34.5 feet) at its deepest, but three quarters of it is just 4.5 metres (14.7 feet) deep and the land area within it totals a mere 18.3 sq. kms (7 sq. mls)
Three islets and 12 motus or "mini islands" are scattered across the stunning lagoon which itself stretches for 50 square kilometres (just over 19 square miles). But even if you can only manage the day trip organised by Air Rarotonga, the lagoon cruise that's included will give you the chance to visit scenes like the ones in these photos and plenty of opportunity to swim and snorkel among the abundance of marine life in the warm waters. The third photo below is Motu Muritapua seen from a good snorkelling spot on Motu Akaiami
The waters of Aitutaki lagoon teem with marine life and to swim among it is like taking a dip in a massive tropical fish tank. From November to February, these are mating grounds for sea turtles...the Hawksbill turtle, onu taratara (pictured here) and the green turtle, onu which is in abundance. The Hawksbill is on the "critically endangered species" list produced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources so spotting one is rare and said to be a sign of good luck. Snorkelling is a great way to discover the stunning underwater scenery with crystal clear waters filled with colourful corals, giant clams and a myriad of other aquatic life.
One Foot Island's beach has been ranked fifth best in the world in a poll of 750 travel influencers, journalists and experts. Here's how worlds50beach.com described it when it published the results in 2023...
"If you can imagine all the postcards you have ever seen of the perfect tropical paradise, trust us, One Foot Island is precisely that! With its blindingly white sand, swaying palm trees, and inviting water, this location is breathtaking. The colours here are indescribable! Pure relaxation awaits you on this island, but there is also plenty to do, such as swimming and snorkelling alongside vibrant fish, and perhaps even encountering a turtle in the clearest turquoise water you have ever dreamt of. The island itself is a fantastic place to explore, but we are confident that once you see the beach, you'll never want to leave.”
One Foot Island is a stopping off point on the lagoon cruise. And getting that passport stamp is one of the top 10 things to do on the island. But there's so much more...check out this list
In a new edition of 'Kukicast', Aitutaki’s Mayor Nick Henry shares his unique insight into the island. He talks about memorable attractions like whale watching, swimming among giant clams and an abundance of turtles and how best to explore that beautiful lagoon. And he also shares his thoughts on ethical tourism, work to protect the island from the worst effects of climate change and about the controversial plans to mine the seabed around the Cooks for rare minerals. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Many of the photos on this page are the work of the very talented amateur photographer, Marcus Gleinig from Rarotonga. I thank him for letting me share them alongside my own pictures. You can see much more of his work here
Aitutaki was the location for season 13 of the US reality series, 'Survivor. There's a BEHIND THE SCENES STORY HERE
If history is your thing, learn about how Captain Bligh discovered Aitutaki by chance just 17 days before the mutiny on his infamous ship, 'Bounty' and decribed it as "a charming little spot". ALL ABOUT BLIGH'S DISCOVERY HERE