Aitutaki

My partner helped build the Pacific Resort Aitutaki on the Northern side of the island… he was there for 18months and enjoyed it. The people are friendly, and laid back, choosing to wear more traditional pareu and flowers in their hair. The coral reef surrounding the island is a safe bathing place for adults and children. You can see & eat, an abundance of sea cucumber (a delicacy) I loved snorkelling and seeing the beautiful tropical fish (although they were quite small). Much better than the Great Barrier Reef I reckon!! The delicious MANGOES on the island grow wild, so they are plentiful. The best thing to do is try to mix with the local people, and they may take you out fishing on the reef, or invite you for a traditional Island meal of taro, roast pig and fresh vegetables. Nightly entertainment includes traditional Tamure dancing and of course the drums. Aitutaki is a popular wedding venue as well, and what a romantic, unspoiled location for a honeymoon…

Blue water blue sky hungry fishies … please can I stay forever…

The giant clam shells, the snorkling and the lovely beach walks.
My hammock…the food…

My husband and I loved Aitutaki – we were here in late Jan/early Feb 06

What an experience. Little huts on the beach front. You can only get there by charter plane from the main island. There are only two complexes on the island so it is not at all touristy. Great little boat trips to the neighbouring islands. Snorkelling and swimming there is incredible. It is the most spectacular experience. You travel around the island on bikes or little motor scooters. What a lot of fun. The islanders are so kind and beautiful. Would definitely go here again and again

We did this back in January after a couple of days in French Polynesia. Aitutaki was everything that we wanted to find in FP but couldn’t. Tropical paradise without extreme tourist development. Loved it. I’ll go back. Run (maybe swim) don’t walk to Raro and hop on the next flight.

You can’t go to the Cooks without stopping by Aitutaki for at least a couple of days. A day trip out to One Foot island is a must aswell.