Aitutaki

Aitutaki is an atoll-like island in the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, famed for its large, shallow central lagoon and numerous small motu islets. The lagoon’s clear, turquoise waters and sheltered sandbanks are the island’s main draw for swimming, snorkeling and boat excursions.

Boat trips to motu such as Tapuaetai (One Foot Island) and snorkeling over coral reefs and seagrass beds. The main inhabited island contains the airport and services that support tourism around the lagoon.

Aitutaki has Polynesian settlement history and today combines small-scale tourism with local subsistence activities. The lagoon and motu are shallow and tropical, making them accessible to day visitors and snorkelers.

The island group lies in the central-south Pacific and is reached by air services from the Cook Islands’ main island of Rarotonga.

• Access and tours: Many visitors reach motu and snorkel sites by small boat trips from the main island; basic facilities and tours are centred on the lagoon.

What to See #

• One Foot Island (Tapuaetai): Tapuaetai (One Foot Island), a small motu in Aitutaki Lagoon famous for shallow sandbanks, postcard views and a popular passport-stamp stop for tourists.
• Aitutaki Lagoon: Aitutaki Lagoon, a broad, shallow central lagoon fringed by motu islets that is the principal natural attraction and focal point for boat trips and snorkeling.