Aitutaki is the second most visited Cook Island and for good reason. It’s only a 45-50 minute flight from Raro and is amazingly beautiful. First, let me mention a couple of things to know about Aitutaki. There are no dogs on the island; they were outlawed for a reason that is not entirely clear. However, it’s an interesting fact. On the island, you’ll find cats, goats, chickens, roosters, pigs, and cows. But no dogs!
The second thing is that families tend to bury their deceased family members in their front yards. While there are a few small cemetery-like locations, most families have graves in their front yards. It’s quite intriguing.
1. Restaurants
We visited as many different restaurants as we could, but a couple were closed, and sadly, two of them were adults-only. Here are some of our favorites:
Koru
If you’re looking for something gluten-free, try Koru, which is close to Aitutaki village, and the Blue Lagoon restaurant. It’s also a Vodafone Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Cove
One of my favorite casual spots with picnic tables outside a little tiki bar was The Cove. It was closed the first time we tried to eat there, but we kept driving by and eventually found it open. However, they were out of fries and fish, so we had limited options. I think the whole island was low on fish. The Cove turned out to be a budget-friendly choice. They also have a full bar.
The Boat Shed
The Boat Shed nearby was another favorite. They offered great drinks and had a laid-back pub atmosphere. What sealed the deal for us was the presence of a trampoline, swing set, and a play area for kids – perfect for families.
Avatea
We found some of the best food on the island at Avatea, a cute little café located inland, not on the water. It’s a casual spot, suitable for families, and they seem to offer a mix of new-inspired cuisine that’s health-conscious.
Vaka Bar
The happy hour that I enjoyed the most was at Vaka Bar, located in the Tamanu Resort. You don’t have to be a guest to visit, as it’s right inside the lobby. It’s a cozy spot, easy to meet people, and the bartender, who’s from Fiji, is very friendly. The drinks were unique and enjoyable. One selling point is their Saturday happy hour, which is a nice touch.
Aitutaki Village
For Island Night, we chose Aitutaki Village. The food was excellent, but it’s worth noting that Island Nights typically have a buffet, local live music, and dancing. However, there’s not much explanation or interaction, which was a bit disappointing. It would have been nice to learn more about the culture and the event itself. The fire dancing was amazing for kids.
Takeaway
Rounding up the dining experiences, we also tried takeaway from a few places. One was a chicken and rice plate, and the other was a burger – these were convenient for a quick and easy meal when not much else was open or when you wanted to dine at your own place.
2. What to Do?
- I’ll start with my absolute favorite thing, which was simply doing nothing. It’s okay to relax and not feel pressured to check things off a list. By doing nothing, I still enjoyed reading, swimming, and snorkeling.
- Another enjoyable activity is a lazy swim or snorkel. There are several great spots around Aitutaki. I particularly found swimming outside Aitutaki Village, in the lagoon, quite fascinating. You can swim across about 15 feet or walk across depending on your height (and the tide) and reach a couple of sandbars. The water there is some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.
- Of course, going on a lagoon cruise is a must. There are numerous resources available for planning this. It’s a great way to explore the area, do some snorkeling, and enjoy the stunning waters.
- Take some time to drive around the island – you can rent scooters or cars, whichever suits you. Explore, stop at stores, and pause whenever you encounter picturesque scenes or photo opportunities. Keep an eye out for crabs when the paved roads dissolve into grassy tracks.
- Don’t forget to check out the high points and lookouts, which may not take long but offer a lovely view of the island.
- For another water-based activity, you can try lagoon swimming, walking, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding outside of Aitutaki Village on O’otu Beach.
- Exploring grocery stores in different countries can provide insights into the local culture. One one day that was particularly hot, we stopped in for some ice cream. There was a place to sit outside the store so we hung out for a bit enjoying ice cream and watching the locals come and go.
- Another way to get a glimpse of the local culture is by attending church. We went to the oldest church on the island on a Sunday. Although I didn’t understand much, there was some English, and it was enlightening to see another side of the local culture.
How Many Days to Spend in Aitutaki
As for how many days to spend in Aitutaki, you can stay as long as you like. I don’t think a day trip would have been sufficient for me. There are day trip flights + tours for the bucket-listers. I preferred to explore the island and relax into the experience fully. While Aitutaki is small, spending a few days allowed me to feel the essence of the place. We were there for six days in total. Did we run out of things to do? NO! See #1 above.
Transportation
As far as transportation, a scooter or car is an absolute necessity. A scooter is completely fine unless you’re driving around a five year old in the rain on some days as I was. Otherwise, a car will do.