Aitutaki

No holiday to the Cook Islands would be complete without visiting the azure lagoon and white sand shores of Aitutaki. Due to flight schedules in and out of the UK and LA, itineraries to the Cooks tend to be 12 nights long, 7 of which we recommend you staying on Rarotonga and 5 on Aitutaki. The reason to do it this way round is that Rarotonga is all about the local… the seeing, the doing and the experiencing of colourful Cooks culture and it’s great to have a full week to explore and relax on Raro. Aitutaki on the other hand is ALL about the chill… the sandy islets, the lagoon, the pampering, the lazy sun soaked days, the ultimate island escape for 5 uninterrupted, heavenly days!.

Although there is more than enough to do and see on Aitutaki, after a busy week on Rarotonga, this is the place to totally rest, relax and unwind. Whilst the accommodation on Rarotonga tends to be self-catered or breakfast only, on Aitutaki we recommend checking into a luxury resort - we love Pacific Resort Aitutaki - for an indulgent, full service hotel experience. The combination of self-catering on Raro followed by hotel accommodation on Aitutaki complement each other perfectly, and it’s another reason why a holiday to the Cook Islands is so unique.

Experiences

Aitutaki Highlights

Aitutaki Lagoon Cruise

Every visitor to Aitutaki - whether on a day trip from Rarotonga or spending a few days in this quitessential paradise atoll - is drawn to the lagoon. The colours are even more intoxicating in real life than they are in the pictures, and you'll want to delve beneath the surface and wallow in the glorious blue hues.

A lagoon cruise is an essential element of a holiday in Aitutaki, with half-day or full-day options. There's a selection of cruises to choose from, ranging from a tradtional wooden Polynesian vaka to more modern boats, with the choice of a shared cruise or a private cruise with your own skipper. Make sure you take your passport and get a footprint stamp at one of the world's smallest post offices on One Foot Island!

Swim with Whales

From July to October, humpback whales make their journey from the cold climes of Antartica to the warm waters of the South Pacific to give birth to their young. During this migration period, humpbacks, as well as other whale species, can be seen just beyond the reef where the deep waters become their playground. Spy them from dry land as they breach, or join a boat trip and get within close proximity to these ocean giants. You even have the chance to swim with them whilst keeping a respectful distance.

Migration patterns depend on water temperatures so there is a little variation each year, but they can often be spotted along the west coast of Rarotonga. For a truly immersive experience, however, Aitutaki is the place to be!

Accommodation