Aitutaki as part of the Cook Islands is one of the best places we’ve ever visited and has definitely hit my all-time favourite places to visit. If you’ve been watching or are new to the channel, we did an Aitutaki Vlog with the highlight of the Vaka Cruise. There were many more places on the island that we visited and points of interest that we didn't include previously, so I’ve put together an Aitutaki Mash Up to see more of this beautiful island. In no particular order, this episode we cover some fishing tips from the locals, explore the Great Banyan Tree, kick back at Avatea Café, feast on the incredible Sunday BBQ Buffet at Tamanu Beach Resort, relax at O’otu Beach and swim throughout the blue lagoon and it’s turquoise waters, hike Maunga Pua, learn how to get around on a scooter and some funny bloopers for you to enjoy!
Getting to Aitutaki is easy, you can book online with Air Rarotonga which is only a 50min flight from Rarotonga to the island. We stayed at the Aitutaki Seaside on the western side of the island and loved our little self-contained unit where we got to meet some of the locals. You can view a full tour of the accommodation by checking out our Aitutaki Special (Vlog 5 of 5) as part of our Cook Island series. We hiked Maunga Pua which takes about 30minutes to hike and is only 125metres high and offers 360-degree views of Aitutaki taking in all the surrounding motu’s. Although it was windy, cold and rainy on our hike, the views were still spectacular and there were double rainbows all round.
The next part of our Aitutaki MashUp is the Tamanu Buffet BBQ Dinner. The BBQ is held every Sunday, where you will be welcomed by the host and General Manager, Nick Henry and his very friendly staff. It’s open to the public and you need to book in advance. It costs around $55per person and Nick boasts you must eat 3 plate fulls before leaving!
Avatea Café & Bar has an incredible fusion menu with something for all, serving coffee, yummy smoothies, cold beer, cocktails and the best pina coladas. This is definitely our favourite place to eat on the island where can enjoy a cold beverage and it goes without saying you have to try the Ika Maata and Te Renga (fish curry) on the menu!
Getting around Aitutaki by Scooter was definitely the best way to get around the island. I mentioned this in our previous Aitutaki video but for those recently joining the channel, scooter’s on Aitutaki require you to have a motorcycle license from your country of origin due to their relaxed rules when it comes to helmets and everywhere on the roads is 40km per hour and that’s based on you being an experienced rider. It differs from Rarotonga where you can pass a scooter license at the local police station however this is not the case on Aitutaki. They will check your license when you pick up the scooter so if you don’t have a bike license, be sure to book ahead for a vehicle. Aitutaki by scooter gave us the opportunity to see so many different places without even trying, including the huge Banyan Tree located just around the corner from Avatea Café.
In this episode we see more of The Vaka Cruise headed by Ali and his team. We see more of the cultural walk that Ali offers, dive into Cook Islands cuisine for our lunch, enjoy some amazing swimming and snorkelling throughout the Aitutaki lagoon. Finally, we arrive on the unfiltered natural turquoise waters of Tapuaetai or One Foot Island and spend some time here swimming and taking those most instagrammable moments!
Don't forget to check out our Aitutaki Special
Part 5: • Vlog5 of 5: Cook Islan...
The Rarotonga Cook Islands series here
Part 1: • Vlog1 of 5, Rarotonga:...
Part 2: • Vlog 2 of 5 Rarotonga:...
Part 3: • Vlog 3 of 5 Rarotonga:...
Part 4: • Vlog 4 of 5 Rarotonga:...