Aitutaki is the most beautiful lagoon in the world, according to Tony Wheeler, the founder of Lonely Planet, and honestly, it’s really hard to disagree with him.
Even as you land on the small Air Rarotonga plane, you are left speechless: a lagoon in a thousand shades of blue, with the motu, lush little islets that mark the perimeter of the lagoon. If you are planning a trip to the Cook Islands, you absolutely have to visit Aitutaki too.
We stayed for 3 nights, which was perfect for discovering this paradise island and breathing in the beauty of Aitutaki. An island that is still largely wild, surrounded by crystal-clear ocean and dotted with coconut palms and dazzling white beaches.
The beauty of Aitutaki lies above all in its lagoon, which can be explored on a boat tour: I have never seen water this clear! And especially when the sun is high in the sky, this place becomes even more incredible and you find yourself wondering whether it might all simply be a dream….
The main island itself is also a little authentic gem, where you can surrender to the island’s slow rhythms, surrounded by the smiles of the locals, roosters wandering freely everywhere and an ika mata with a view of the sea…
Many people choose to visit Aitutaki as a day trip from Rarotonga, purchasing a package with Air Rarotonga, which includes a lagoon tour with Vaka Cruise, but personally I strongly recommend staying overnight and spending at least a couple of nights on this wonderful island.
Aitutaki Lagoon Tour
People mainly come to Aitutaki for its stunning lagoon, and the best way to enjoy it is on a boat tour through its crystal-clear waters, stopping to snorkel in a natural swimming pool and visiting the various deserted motu.
There are several operators and tours generally depart around 9/9:30 am and return around 4 pm, with lunch included either on board or on one of the motu, and snorkeling equipment either provided or available for a small additional fee. It is also possible to arrange private tours, including sunset cruises, for an unforgettable experience that is perfect for a honeymoon!
We stuck to a group tour, choosing the Teking snorkeling tour, because thanks to its smaller boat (around 20 people), it can go faster and cover a larger area of the lagoon, with more snorkeling stops and a delicious BBQ lunch on a motu all to ourselves!
If instead you prefer a more relaxed boat trip, with sofas and sun loungers where you can relax while listening to live local music, choose the Vaka Cruise, on a modern boat designed like a traditional Polynesian vaka. If we hadn’t been in Aitutaki on a Sunday, we probably would have done this tour as well.
Vaka Cruise tours can also be done as day trips from Rarotonga, by purchasing the package offered by Air Rarotonga, but personally I recommend splitting your stay and spending at least two nights in Aitutaki.
Whatever lagoon tour you choose, you will definitely stop at the iconic One Foot Island: a tiny island with dazzling white coconut palms, surrounded by the most intense turquoise water I have ever seen.
The “official” attraction is the One Foot Island post office, which is also the smallest and most remote post office in the world, where you can have your passport stamped with the One Foot Island stamp. In reality, the post office is not always open, but the boat captain will still stamp your passport when you get there.
Be careful, though, because this is not an official state stamp and could potentially invalidate your passport. We brought our old passport with us and collected the stamp there, without risking anything!
In addition to One Foot Island, on the tour we took we also visited Honeymoon Island, a small motu with a strip of dazzling white sand crossing crystal-clear waters, and a colony of hermit crabs as its only inhabitants, located at the opposite end of the lagoon.
In addition to these two spectacular motu, we also stopped at Maina Island, where we enjoyed an excellent lunch of fish, chicken and grilled vegetables, and did no fewer than 3 snorkeling stops among huge fish, giant clams and purple corals…..truly an incredible experience!
Masks and snorkels can be rented for 10 NZD, while fins are provided free of charge, together with towels and drinking water. Cost: 260 NZD.
Exploring the lagoon by kayak
Since we were staying at Aitutaki Village, we were able to use the kayaks provided by the hotel free of charge, so we took the opportunity to paddle out to the motu of Angarei and Ee and have them all to ourselves! Kayaking is a great way to enjoy the beauty of this lagoon and its crystal-clear waters full of fish, also thanks to the almost complete absence of waves, which makes paddling really easy. The only thing to watch out for is the tide, because at low tide there are some areas where the water becomes very shallow and you may find yourself having to get out of the kayak and continue on foot (while carrying the kayak!).
Unlike Rarotonga, snorkeling from the beach in Aitutaki is definitely more rewarding: the coral reef is in better condition and the water is almost always crystal clear. From the kayak you will see plenty of fish swimming around, but even close to shore you will be surrounded by sea cucumbers and countless fish, and reaching the motu and swimming in the waters around them with no one else around is something you will remember forever.
It took us around a couple of hours to reach the motu, stop for a swim and return, and it is absolutely doable even for beginners.
Getting to and around Aitutaki
Aitutaki does not have an international airport, but can only be reached by a domestic flight from Rarotonga, which takes around 45 minutes. The flight is operated on small 18-seat planes that offer spectacular views, especially from the left side, where there is only one seat per row. We were assigned seats on the other side, but the view was still breathtaking, even though we could only see part of the lagoon.
Flights operate several times a day, but seats sell out fairly quickly, especially on the first flight of the morning and the evening flights, so book well in advance, particularly if you are travelling during high season. Prices start at 249 NZD one way, including a 23kg checked bag and one carry-on bag that must fit underneath the seat.
Check-in is incredibly quick: you can arrive at the airport around 30 minutes before your flight, check your luggage and then wait to board just 10 minutes before departure, walking a few dozen metres towards the tiny aircraft! Upon arrival, luggage is unloaded from a little cart and brought directly to the exit of the tiny airport.
If you have additional luggages that you don’t need to carry with you, you can deposit them at Air Rarotonga Office directly at the airport for 5 NZD per piece per day.
Once you arrive in Aitutaki, you will probably be welcomed by the staff from your accommodation with a flower lei, and transfers are almost always included. Aitutaki is small and, by renting a bicycle, you can explore the whole island in a couple of hours. Scooters are also convenient, although for those you either need to have a motorcycle licence or obtain a local licence by taking a test at the Rarotonga Police Station.
For convenience (no annoying test, no hassle carrying bags and, above all, no risk of getting soaked by a sudden downpour), we rented a car for 24 hours through Popoara Rental, just a short walk from Aitutaki Village, for 80 NZD.
We rented it on Sunday so that we could get to church and immerse ourselves in the Sunday Mass experience (beautiful, but really, really long!), visit the various beaches and get to the restaurant for dinner, since on Sundays only a few places are open in Aitutaki.
Where to stay in Aitutaki
The choice of accommodation in Aitutaki is more limited than in Rarotonga, but there are some truly special options.
Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa — The island’s most exclusive resort, with the only overwater bungalows in the entire Cook Islands (at much more affordable prices than the overwater bungalows of French Polynesia). If you are celebrating a honeymoon or a special occasion, this is definitely the perfect option. It is not cheap, but in terms of value for money in the South Pacific, it is hard to beat.
Aitutaki Village, the accommodation we chose and one I can only recommend since we had such a great stay. 10 spacious, clean and well-kept bungalows, on O’otu Beach, the most beautiful beach in Aitutaki.
The bungalows are very spacious, with a patio equipped with a table, chairs and drying rack. Beach towels are provided, as is daily room cleaning (on request) and free water refills.
The beach has dazzling white sand and the palm trees along the shore create the perfect postcard setting. The beachfront restaurant offers a basic breakfast (bread, jam, cereals and fruit) as well as excellent, generous and tasty dinners, along with several tropical cocktails. There are also a couple of other places to eat just a short walk away. I absolutely loved this little paradise! 3 nights 1,350 NZD including breakfast.
On Sunday we visited the restaurant and beach at Tamanu Beach and, although I did not see the rooms, it seemed really good to me, with very good food at an honest price and a beautiful beach where you can relax, so I feel comfortable recommending it as an alternative.
There are also many guesthouses and budget options in Aitutaki, although since there are fewer services than in Rarotonga, I would recommend allocating a little more of your budget here and treating yourself to accommodation with a higher level of comfort.
Useful tips for visiting Aitutaki
Getting around the island
There is no buses in Aitutaki like there is in Rarotonga. Almost all activities and resorts offer pick-up and drop-off, but if you want to explore the island independently, you will need to rent some kind of vehicle.
Since the island is quite small, if you are reasonably fit, a bicycle is an excellent option for getting around, although watch out for possible sudden downpours and for the inland area, where there are many more uphill sections.
To rent a scooter, you will need a Cook Islands licence, which you must obtain at the police station in Rarotonga before travelling to Aitutaki. To rent a car, on the other hand, your normal driving licence is sufficient.
Sunday
Sunday in Aitutaki is sacred. Most restaurants, with a few exceptions among resort restaurants, are closed, and practically all lagoon tours do not operate either. In fact, it seems that locals do not particularly appreciate the few operators that offer private lagoon tours on Sundays: avoid contributing to this bad feeling by not booking these excursions.
If you are in Aitutaki on a Sunday, attend the morning Mass and relax on your hotel’s beach, perhaps taking a kayak out for a paddle!
Payments
Credit cards are generally accepted at resorts and resort restaurants. I use Revolut and Wise, paying directly in the local currency without hidden fees, but in local restaurants, as well as in small supermarkets, cash is the only accepted form of payment.
I don’t remember seeing any ATMs on the island, so I recommend arriving with some cash already with you.
Aitutaki vs Rarotonga: which one should you choose?
Simple: both.
Rarotonga is life, culture, activities, museums, restaurants, markets, people. It is a green and lush volcanic island where there is something to do every day, even when it rains.
Aitutaki is the lagoon. It is silence. It is waking up in the morning and going for a swim before breakfast because the water is just a few steps away and the colour of the sea at that time of day is beyond compare. It is the place where doing nothing becomes the most beautiful thing in the world.
For this reason, in my opinion, you should consider spending at least a week visiting the Cook Islands, so that you have enough time to explore both of these islands.
*Price as of May 2026
Thanks to the Cook Islands Tourism for their support.
Read also:
– Trip to the Cook Islands: 10-day itinerary for our honeymoon
– What to do in Rarotonga: the best experiences in the Cook Islands
