Awesome Things to do in Beautiful Aitutaki
Aitutaki is the second most visited island in the Cook Islands and definitely one of the most beautiful. We spent five days on this picturesque island and it was pure tropical island bliss. A lot of people visit only as a day trip from Rarotonga but trust me, you will absolutely regret it if you don’t stay longer. So without further ado, here is a list of awesome things to do in beautiful Aitutaki!
Take a Water Taxi to One Foot Island
One Foot Island has a little something for everyone. Families will find it incredibly easy due to the shallow areas in the lagoon, snorkelling, shady areas, hermit crabs and coconut trees. All of these things make for a very enjoyable day!
You can even have your passport officially stamped with a big ‘foot’ as evidence you were there! We used Bishop’s Cruises to get around the vast lagoon in Aitutaki and both the service and staff were wonderful.
This is one of the most memorable things to do in Aitutaki!
Race Crabs
I’m not sure what it is about Aitutaki, but the hermit crabs seem bigger than on the other islands. Draw a circle in the sand with a stick (or your big toe), find a crab, and place it in the middle of the circle. The first one out is the winner! It nearly always turns into a communal race with other people joining in.
This is one of the kids favourite things to do in Aitutaki!
Listen to The Glorious Church Singing
Non-believers and those who don’t regularly attend church will still enjoy this! The actual service only goes for around an hour and for the most part, is filled with the beautiful close-knit harmonies of the congregation in their Sunday bests. It’s both an oral and visual spectacle that you don’t want to miss!
Hang Out at Your Bungalow
Even though there are lots of things to do in Aitutaki … don’t feel guilty about not doing them. You’re on holiday! This is your time to relax and if that means spending the afternoon on your bungalow balcony, that’s perfectly fine.
Explore The Lagoon by Kayak or Stand-Up-Paddle Board
The Aitutaki Lagoon is just begging to be kayaked or explored on a Stan-Up-Paddleboard. It’s way too large to get around the whole thing (you’ll need a boat for that), but it’s a great way to spend a morning or arvo.
Swimming and Snorkelling
We found a great little beach for both swimming and snorkelling at the golf club end of the airport. It’s not really marked in any way but has the feel of a locals beach. There are plenty of wild chickens in the scrub next to the beach and there is a good chance you will have the whole place to yourself.
Eat at The Boat Shed Bar and Grill
I normally don’t enjoy eating out with the kids because sitting still in a restaurant is not one of their skills. However, this place is awesome for so many reasons! It has a playground right in front of the deck that includes a trampoline with all the safety netting. Inside is full of interesting nautical and island memorabilia and the meals are pretty tasty too!
Go on a Lagoon Tour
This is a great chance to access some great snorkelling spots and visit some of the 15 small motu (islets) that reside in Aitutaki’s lagoon. We went with Bishop’s Cruises on a private half-day charter and had an awesome experience!
Hike up Maungapu Hill
At 124m, Maungapu Hill is the highest point in Aitutaki. The hike up is steep however it really doesn’t take long to reach the top. My five year old managed it with no help whatsoever. Once you are at the top, enjoy 360-degree views of the entire lagoon. I don’t even have a photo to share as the heavens opened up the minute I reached the top!
Watch us as we Check Out Some of The Awesome Things to do in Aitutaki
Pssst. If you like the look of Aitutaki but really want to get off the beaten track … you will love the islands of Atiu and Mauke.
Aitutaki Accommodation
Looking for More Cook Islands Inspiration?
Check out our dedicated Cook Islands page for more inspiration and information on the Cook Islands. For other destinations both in Australia and abroad, head on back to the home page.
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Resources for Booking Your Cook Island Holiday
Flights
All international flights land in Rarotonga. Try searching on Trip.com for a great deal on flights to Rarotonga.
Internal flights around the Cook Islands need to be booked with Air Rarotonga. Mauke, Atiu and Aitutaki are less than one hour flight from Rarotonga.
Accommodation
The White House Villa is a great self-contained family-friendly apartment near Aroa Beach on Rarotonga.
