Aitutaki Island
Aitutaki, the second largest island in the Cook Islands archipelago, is a coral atoll with low smooth hills, banana plantations and groves of coconut palms. It has a population of up to 2,500 people.
General information
The shape of Aitutaki resembles a triangle, the sides are represented by reefs and coral islets, which makes the amazing turquoise lagoon is considered an ideal place for snorkeling or scuba diving. The southern side of the atoll is almost completely submerged underwater, while the eastern side is a chain of motu. At the southern end of the west side of Aitutaki, there is a break in the atoll that allows boats to penetrate the lagoon, which occupies a significant portion of the southern part of the triangle.
Aitutaki Island was first inhabited by Polynesians around 900, and first contact with Europeans occurred two weeks before the ill-fated mutiny on the British warship Bounty under Captain Bligh in 1789.
.Although tourism has become a major source of income here, and Aitutaki is the second most visited island in the archipelago, it is still untouched by civilization. The palm-fringed white sandy beaches, the wonderful clear sea, the unhurried pace of life – this makes Aitutaki seem like the place we dream of.
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How to get there
Getting to Aitutaki can be done by Air Rarotonga, which operates daily flights to the atoll.
.Don’t miss it
- Cruise around the lagoon to Akaiami and Tapuatae (One Leg Island) bays;
- Overlapping albula fishing; .
- Ika matu – marinated raw fish with coconut sauce; .
- See dancers from Aitutaki Island, famous throughout the archipelago.
Interesting fact
Captain Bligh (who returned here in 1792) is credited with introducing the custom of handshaking on Aitutaki.
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