Table of Contents
Aitutaki in the Cook Islands is at the top of many travellers’ wish lists, and with its remote location. It’s one of those places that still feel truly untouched. I recently did an Atituaki day tour from Rarotonga. And, although it was a long and expensive day, it was absolutely incredible. It really is as beautiful as they say!
That said, an Aitutaki day trip from Rarotonga may not be the right choice for everyone, especially if you have the time to stay longer.
So I’ve put together this guide, based on my personal experience, to help you decide the best way to experience Aitutaki.
Quick Travel Resources;
Searching For The Best Flights
GET THE BEST PRICE WITH SKYSCANNER
Booking Accommodation
SAVE ON ACCOMMODATION, FROM HOSTELS TO LUXURY HOTELS
Find The Best Travel Experiences
BOOK THINGS TO DO, TOURS & ATTRACTIONS WITH GET YOUR GUIDE
Travel Insurance
GET A QUOTE WITH COVER-MORE
Firstly, Where is Aitutaki?
Aitutaki is in the Cook Islands and is approximately 260km north of Rarotonga, the Cook Islands’ most visited island. Aitutaki is the second most popular island.
The mainland is only 18 square kilometres in size, and if you include the lagoon, it’s 51 square kilometres. Making it bigger than Rarotonga, which is just 32 kilometres in circumference.
How To Get To The Cook Islands?
There are daily direct flights from Australia to the Cook Islands with Jetstar, departing from Sydney or Brisbane.
From Auckland, New Zealand, there are direct flights with Jetstar on Monday, Thursday & Saturday.
One of the Cook Islands’ closest neighbours is French Polynesia, and 4 times weekly there are direct flights from Papeete to Rarotonga with Air Rarotonga and Air Tahiti.
Direct flights from the United States are available once a week from Hawaiʻi or from LA; there are flights via Papeete.
Then the final step to reach the paradise of Aitutaki is a 40-minute flight from Rarotonga with Air Rarotonga, and they operate this up to 5 times daily.
All these schedules are subject to change by the airline at any time.
Is an Aitutaki Day Tour Worth It?
Short answer – Yes.
I absolutely loved this day trip, and it was one of the biggest highlights from my time in the Cook Islands.
Air Rarotonga is the only company that operates this day tour, so while cruising the lagoon, it never felt overcrowded. Unlike many popular island tours around the world, there weren’t multiple boats full of tourists competing for the same spots, which made the experience feel much more isolated & peaceful.
An Aitutaki day tour is perfect for those who don’t have a lot of time in the Cook Islands or don’t have the budget to stay for a few days.
This isn’t a sponsored post; I booked and paid for the day tour myself and genuinely wanted to share my experience with you.
Who is this tour perfect for?
- People with 7 or fewer days in the Cook Islands
- Couples
- First-time visitors
- Anyone who wants to see the lagoon without changing accommodation
What Is Included in an Aitutaki Day Tour?
Pretty much everything you will need;
Return hotel transfers in Rarotonga, return flights to Aitutaki, lagoon cruise, tour guide, beach towel, snorkelling gear, and hearty buffet lunch.
Aitutaki Day Tour Itinerary (What to Expect)
Early Morning Flight from Rarotonga
Included in the price is airport pickup from your hotel. When you make the booking online, there’s a drop-down box with a list of hotels.
We were renting a house, so I needed to select “other” and manually write in the address. I never received confirmation for this pickup (and no one ever got back to my email), so we decided to drive to the airport ourselves. As we had a rental car, it just seemed like the easiest option. Rarotonga is relatively small, and we didn’t want to mess around and potentially miss the flight.
Plus, at the end of the day, when we expected to be tired, we wanted to be able to go straight home.
Once we arrived at the airport, we parked right outside the terminal. Day parking is usually $16, but for us, the boom gate was broken, so no payment was needed.
Inside the terminal, Air Rarotonga check-in is easy to spot, and there we found our friendly tour guide, Paul. Also, ask for a window seat on the left side of the plane for the best views.
The flight from Rarotonga to Aitutaki takes 40 minutes.
Join The Newsletter
And, get a FREE custom Thailand travel map, designed to simplify your planning
Arriving in Aitutaki
Even with slightly cloudy skies, descending into Aitutaki lagoon was pure magic. The flight was easy and included a snack and a drink.
Disembarking onto the tarmac and into the tiny terminal took no time at all.
From there, I felt like the day trip had begun!
Tour of Aitutaki Mainland
So once the flight is done, the first stage of this Aitutaki day tour is a guided drive around the mainland. We were a group of about 25 people and were invited to board our “fully air-conditioned bus”. This was one of the many dad jokes we got throughout our day with Paul – we were all seated on bench seats in the back of a truck, but the breeze was delightful.
The mainland tour took around half an hour, and along the way, Paul shared some history of Aitutaki. Such as, the population of Aitutaki is under 2000 people, the highest point of the island is Maunga Pu, sitting at a staggering 122 meters, and there are no dogs on the island. Dogs have been banned on Aitutaki since the early 1900s. The chef’s daughter was bitten by a dog, so since then dogs have been banned from Aitutaki.
I sometimes found it hard to tell if Paul was joking or being serious, so don’t hold me to that story being factual.
Before heading to the boat to start the Aitutaki Lagoon cruise, we stopped at a coffee shop (which thankfully had plant-based milk and was not at all overpriced), so everyone could be refuelled after the day’s early start.
Cruising Aitutaki Lagoon
Obviously, this was the biggest highlight of the day. We all came to see the famous Aitutaki Lagoon with our own eyes.
And, wow, it did not disappoint!
The Aitutaki day tour includes a 6-hour lagoon cruise with Vaka Cruise. The boat was massive. On board, we were all assigned a table & chairs, which would be ours for the day. Plus, there was a deck with sun lounges and another undercover lounge area at the other end of the boat.
I was surprised at how big and spacious the bathrooms were. I thought Paul was joking when he said there are showers with shampoo/conditioner & body wash – but he wasn’t. Everything about the boat was beautiful.
I’ve always been prone to seasickness, but with the boat being so big and the lagoon being so calm, I never felt slightly nauseous.
During the cruise, we stopped at 3 Motus (little islands), Akaiami, Moturakau & One Foot Island, plus 1 snorkelling spot.
Before our final stop, the crew served up a massive buffet lunch. With everything from BBQ tuna steaks, salads, vegetable dishes, fruits & sweets.
After I booked this Aitutaki day tour, I emailed them about lunch, as my friend and I both have dietary requirements (Vegan & Vegetarian). And I thought if I’m spending this much money, I should get a lunch that I can eat. Unfortunately, no one got back to me. But before the group lined up for lunch, Paul went over what each dish was, and there was plenty for us to eat.
If you had more serious dietary requirements like allergies, I’d definitely call them beforehand.
One of the things I loved about the lagoon cruise was that each stop was only a short boat ride away, so there was never a long or boring stretch between destinations.
Akaiami
Our first stop was at Akaiami, and it did not disappoint, absolutely stunning. This motus was quite secluded and was the perfect place to take our first swim in Aitutaki.
We only had 30 minutes here, so it wasn’t heaps of time to explore the island. But nice to have some free time to swim and walk along the palm tree-lined beach.
Moturakau
Moturakau is a very small inlet, I believe only 460 meters long, and was our second stop during the Vaka Cruise.
It was stunning, and although the water looked extremely inviting, there was no swimming here. Our tour guide, Paul, gave us a guided tour across the island, as well as a coconut presentation.
As much as I would have loved a swim, it was interesting to learn more about the island’s history and the many ways locals have used coconuts throughout time.
This stop was for about 20 minutes.
Snorkelling Stop
Not too far away, the boat anchored for a guided snorkel. And this is where you can swim with the Giant Trevally. Everyone snorkelling will jump onto the smaller boat, be dropped off at the snorkelling area, then swim down to a pontoon.
This is the only part of the Aitutaki day tour that is not suitable for young children or non-swimmers.
So as I was travelling with my toddler, I didn’t join the snorkelling group. Although I did see heaps of Giant Trevally swimming around the boat, they really did look massive!
One Foot Island
When I tell you this could be the most beautiful place on the planet, I’m not exaggerating! Shortly after dishing up my lunch, I had to put down my fork and head to the front of the boat because I was already in awe of what we were sailing towards.
Honestly, I nearly cried; it was so beautiful. And then Paul said we only have an hour and a half here. I really did want to cry because no way that’s enough time.
One Foot Island was definitely the biggest highlight of the Aitutaki day tour, so when we anchored, I ditched the rest of my lunch and got straight off the boat.
This is where you’ll see the iconic bent palm tree over the turquoise waters, flowing between two motus. Pure magic!
It’s possible to walk all the way around One Foot Island; it takes about 20 minutes, and it’s recommended to wear reef shoes as in some sections you’ll be walking over rocks. Plus, you can also snorkel off the beach here, not too far from where the boat stops.
We spent our time there swimming, taking millions of photos and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Returning to Rarotonga
After being torn away from One Foot Islands, it was time to head back to the airport. This final leg of the Vaka Cruise took 45 minutes, the right amount of time to have a shower and get changed, pack up our personal items and enjoy a wine on the back lounge (the wine cost $9 and they accepted cash or card).
Then the drive back to the airport was only a few minutes, and we waited about 30 minutes to board our flight, so we had more than enough time. The airport is tiny, and no need for security!
How Much Does an Aitutaki Day Tour Cost?
The current prices for Air Rarotonga’s Aitutaki day tour are;
Adult $749
Child (2-11 years) $374.50
And, babies are free.
All prices are in New Zealand dollars.
Included in this price are return flights from Rarotonga to Aitutaki, pick up and drop off at major hotels, a tour of Aitutaki mainland, a 6-hour Vaka Cruise on Aitutaki Lagoon, buffet lunch, non alcoholic drinks, towels and snorkelling gear.
If you were to book the flights and cruise on your own, you’d be looking at $897 per adult.
Air Rarotonga domestic flights regularly cost up to $598.00 return. And you can book the Vaka Cruise on their website for $299 per adult and $149 per child aged 5-11 years. Kids 0 – 4 years old are free.
So, although this Aitataki day tour is expensive, when you look at the prices of the individual inclusions, it’s a very good deal. And, it was so nice having everything organised for us and a friendly, fact-filled tour guide along for the ride.
What to Pack for an Aitutaki Day Tour
The few things that you will need to take with you on this Aitutaki day tour are;
Bathers – I wore mine under my outfit because once you’re on the boat, it’s not too long before you arrive at Akaiami for a swim.
Reef-safe sunscreen.
Hat & sunglasses.
Dry bag for your phone – this isn’t essential.
Camera – underwater camera if you have one.
Power bank.
Cash or card – if you’d like drinks on board.
Reef shoes – you’ll only need these if you plan to walk around One Foot Island.
Dry outfit for the flight back to Rarotonga.
You don’t need to pack a towel, as Vaka Cruise provides one, along with shampoo/conditioner & body wash in the bathroom.
No need to overpack, but also don’t, because the flight only includes a cabin-sized bag, maximum 7kg.
Is One Day in Aitutaki Enough?
While I absolutely think the Aitutaki day tour is worth it, one day wasn’t enough to experience everything the island has to offer. I left feeling like I had unfinished business, and that’s probably the biggest downside of visiting on a day trip.
What You’ll See on a Day Tour
* The incredible lagoon
* One Foot Island
* Snorkelling
* Scenic flight
* Buffet lunch
* You’ll experience the highlights of Aitutaki
What You’ll Miss By Just Doing An Aitutaki Day Tour
* Some stops felt a little rushed.
* You don’t get any time to wander the main island, visit beaches at your own pace, or experience local restaurants and cafés.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably leave wanting to come back.
If you have 7 days or less in the Cook Islands, I’d definitely recommend the Aitutaki day tour without hesitation. The lagoon lives up to the hype; it’s not overcrowded and the whole day runs very smoothly.
But if you are spending more than a week in the Cook Islands, I’d seriously consider spending at least two or three nights in Aitutaki. It would give you the chance to experience the island at a slower pace, explore more Motus, and enjoy some of the beautiful accommodations, from budget guesthouses to luxury beachfront resorts.
If you do choose to stay longer than one day on Aitutaki, here are some hotels I heard good things about while I was there;
* Tamanu Beach (bungalow accommodation, beachfront + two pools)
* Ranginuis Retreat (highly rated budget, beachfront accommodation)
* Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort (in case you want to treat yourself to an overwater bungalow)
Then, I’d still say you need to do a lagoon tour to really experience what Aitutaki is all about,
The same Vaka Cruise can be booked directly without doing the whole-day tour.
Or, if you’d prefer something more intimate, it’s possible to book a private lagoon tour on Viator (it’s just a lot more expensive).
Frequently Asked Questions On The Aitutaki Day Tour
Yes, definitely. In fact, there were a few non-swimmers on our day tour. The only thing you’d miss out on as a non-swimmer is the snorkelling spot. This involves taking a smaller boat to the reef and then swimming down to the pontoon where everyone is picked up. The highlight of the snorkelling spot is swimming with the Giant Trevally
I actually wasn’t able to join the snorkelling as I had my 2-year-old, so I stayed with her on the boat. The stop was for about 30 minutes, and we just stayed on the boat, happily lounging in the sun, enjoying the view. And we even saw heaps of Trevally swimming around the boat.
At first, I was hesitant to book this Aitutaki day tour as I was travelling with a toddler; it’s a lot of money to spend, and I really wanted to make sure we’d both get the most out of it. But I’m so glad I booked this trip.
We both had such an awesome day, and apart from the snorkelling spot, we both could experience all that the day had to offer. Plus, the boat was spacious, with most seating areas under cover, and the bathrooms and showers were big enough for two.
So I would definitely say the Autitaki day trip is suitable for families, it's wonderful making such special memories in one of the world's most beautiful locations.
So thankfully, One Foot Island has pretty much been left untouched, but when you get off the boat, you’ll see a small green building called “One Foot Hilton”.
I asked our tour guide Paul about this, and he said it is possible to stay there, but it needs to be organised from the mainland, and everything (food/water) will be brought out to you.
He said that you’d need to see the staff at The Boat Shed and book through them as they own One Foot Hilton.
The Cook Islands are a year-round destination, but to get the most out of your trip and see the blues of the lagoon really shine under the sun, visit during the dry season. The dry season in the Cook Islands is from April to October.
I visited during June, and although we pretty much only saw sun, it wasn’t as warm as I expected (I like really hot weather), and the water was slightly cool. But it was still a lovely time to visit, particularly when travelling with a toddler.
December - April provides hotter weather, but these months can bring much more rain, especially at the beginning of the year when cyclones are a possibility.
Not at this point, currently the only way to get between Rarotonga and Aitutaki is a 40-minute flight with Air Rarotonga.
No you don’t need a passport to travel to Aitutaki, and I’m not even sure they ever checked our photo ID. But it’s a good idea to take along your passport because towards the end of the day tour the “One Foot Post Office” opens and you can get one of the rarest passport stamps in the world - One Foot Island passport stamp!
Final Thoughts on an Aitutaki Day Tour
So after spending hundreds of dollars on a single day trip, do I think the Aitutakiu day tour is worth it?
Yes, 100%.
Money well spent.
Money comes and goes, but exploring one of the most beautiful places in the world, one I had dreamed about for years, was worth every cent.
Rarotonga certainly is beautiful, but honestly, it has nothing on how stunning Aitutaki is; it really was next level. For those who only have a week or so in the Cook Islands, I highly recommend taking a day to explore Aitutaki and it’s world famous lagoon. Perfect for the whole family and will leave you with the best memories (and photos).
Even when moments of the day were overcast, the water colour of the lagoon was still stunning.
I did leave Aitutaki feeling like I had unfinished business, and one day I want to go back and stay longer. For what it is, though, the day tour really was flawless. Everything was well organised and ran smoothly, I never had to think, no stops were overcrowded, and it was great value for money considering how much flights and a lagoon cruise cost on their own.
If you want to see more photos and videos of the day, check out my Aituatki posts on Instagram.
Thanks for reading,
Happy Travels.
If you found this information helpful, please consider booking your trip via my affiliate links. This won’t be at any extra cost to you and will ensure I can continue to provide free content, thank you.
Planning a Trip? Travel Resources Below;
Searching For The Best Flights
Without a doubt the best site for comparing and booking flights is Skyscanner.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE BEST PRICE WITH SKYSCANNER
Booking Accommodation
CLICK HERE TO SAVE ON ACCOMMODATION, FROM HOSTELS TO LUXURY HOTELS
Get Cashback on Bookings
Before you book don’t forget to activate your Rakuten browser extension so you get cashback on your travel bookings.
Don’t know what Rakuten is? READ MY GUIDE HERE
Lock in The Best Travel Experiences
BOOK WITH GET YOUR GUIDE FOR THE BEST TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
Never Skip Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, everything doesn’t always go to plan but travel insurance will protect you when it comes to illness, injury, theft & cancellation.
Where to Next?
If you’re unsure of where to visit next, why not check out my Destination Page filled with exciting ideas from all over the world?
Like this Article?
Pin It!
If you liked this article, I would love for you to share it with your friends.
Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.