Considering a Rarotonga to Aitutaki day trip? Here we will discuss if going from Rarotonga to Aitutaki in one day is worth it! We’ll cover flights from Rarotonga to Aitutaki, ferry options, what to pack, and more!
Rarotonga and Aitutaki are two separate islands of the Cook Islands. This small country is comprised of 15 islands total, and it’s safe to say that Rarotonga and Aitutaki are the most highly visited.
I was blown away by the Cook Islands’ beauty. The shades of turquoise that you’ll see here are like nowhere else on Earth.
But should you stay on Rarotonga, or is a day trip to Aitutaki worth it? The price tag is quite high, so it can be a tough decision.
This post will dive into Rarotonga to Aitutaki flights and travel options, location, costs, what to pack, and more. I’ll also share my personal experience and pros and cons of the trip.
If you are planning a day trip to Aitutaki from Rarotonga, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s dive in.
Where is Aitutaki?
Aitutaki is a tiny piece of land in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. It is roughly 137 miles off of the main island of Rarotonga.
Aitutaki is just a short flight away from Rarotonga, and can be reached in under an hour..
However, since the Cook Islands is tough to reach in its own right, you can imagine that Aitutaki is even more of a challenge. And because of this, it can be a pricey endeavor to visit.
So, is a Rarotonga to Aitutaki day tip worth it?
Pros of an Aitutaki Day Tour
A well planned day trip can help keep costs down, relatively speaking.
Compared to piecing the entire itinerary together yourself, and spending extra days on Aitutaki, you will save a lot of money.
The trip includes roundtrip flights, a Vaka cruise, a tour of the small town, a delicious meal, and live music. Snorkeling, a trip to One Foot Island, and the bluest water you’ve ever seen are also included.
I’ll let you know in advance, Aitutaki and One Foot Island were easily one of the biggest highlights of my Cook Islands travel experience.
I have simply never seen an area that was so untouched, so pristine. The water was just an unbelievable turquoise that I will never forget.
And to be clear, I’ve been all over Fiji and French Polynesia in the South Pacific; Zanzibar in East Africa; and Aruba and the Bahamas in the Caribbean. Nothing compares.
Check out this video to get a small taste of Aitutaki’s charm.
Cons of an Aitutaki Day Tour
The cons are that it can be pricey, depending on when you book.
Also, it does take a bit of effort and pre-planning. This is not an experience that you can just show up and expect to walk onto.
And, additionally, if you love Aitutaki then you might not feel like one day is enough.
So let’s dive a little deeper on how to plan a Rarotonga to Aitutaki day trip and what to expect.
How to Book a Day Trip to Aitutaki from Rarotonga
The Aitutaki Day Tour can be booked online through Air Rarotonga. I highly recommend that you book in advance, even before you arrive on the island, because it does sell out.
It is possible to get a spot on a trip once you’re already in Rarotonga, but typically only if someone else cancels.
In my opinion, do not leave it to chance! This is a place you need to see with your own eyes.
Another great reason to book in advance, it is basically risk free. Travelers can change or even cancel their booking all the way up to the day of departure. This gives you a lot of flexibility just in case someone gest sick, a flight gets delayed, etc etc.
To book your day trip, head over to Air Rarotonga.
How Much Is The Aitutaki Day Trip?
Admittedly, getting to Aitutaki is not cheap. The Aitutaki Day Tour currently costs $372.13 USD.
It will probably be the most expensive 40 minute flight you ever book. But I can also attest, it will be the most beautiful. Check out the coastline below.
The plane departs from Rarotonga domestic Airport each morning.
Additionally, anyone who wants to spend two days on Aitutaki could consider booking the two day tour. This is a newer offering, and if you can afford it, would absolutely be worth it!
The Rarotonga To Aitutaki Day Trip Flight Experience
On the day of your tour, a shuttle will pick you up from your Rarotonga accommodations around 7am. Do not forget your passport!
Pro Tip: Pack your passport, phones and wallet inside of a small drybag like this to keep everything dry on the trip. Between multiple boat rides and plenty of ocean, you’ll need to protect your valuables. Get your drybag here!
Other riders will be on the shuttle as well, which will take a short drive for other pickups and then ultimately to the airport.
The “check-in” at Rarotonga Airport is extremely easy. You’ll need to show your passport and boarding pass, which will look like a cash register receipt rather than the typical boarding pass.
What can I say? Things are always a lot more relaxed on the islands.
You will board a small aircraft with rows configured as two seats on the right side and one seat on the left. Since I was traveling the Cook Islands solo, I snagged a single seat on the left side of the plane.
Pro Tip: Book a window seat for a great view of the coastline. There is no extra cost for a window seat, and it is so worth it!
You’ll get a small drink and some candy, but there is not much time for anything more. In roughly 40 minutes, it will be time to deplane to paradise.
The short flight is unforgettable. It is the perfect introduction to what you are about to see on the ground.
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Landing on Aitutaki Island
As you start to descend towards Aitutaki, the insane beauty will become more real. The brilliant turquoise surrounding the shore come into focus. The crashing waves are visible. And the reefs and rocks and palm trees are simply awe-inspiring.
Have your phone or camera ready. You will not want to forget this!
Pro Tip: I carried a GoPro camera for the Rarotonga to Aitutaki day trip. It was the perfect choice for not only filming the flight, but also filming underwater and photographing all day long. Many of the photos here were snapped on this GoPro. If you want to see my other favorite camera gear, check that out on my Travel Essentials page.
Upon landing, your tour guide will meet you on site. I can just about guarantee they will be genuinely happy with the typically kind and outgoing Cook Islands personality.
At least, that’s exactly what I experienced!
And I think that’s part of what makes this trip so special. Everyone – even the locals – are genuinely happy to be there and to appreciate this pristine slice of earth.
The Aitutaki Day Tour
Your tour will begin in the small Aitutaki Township. Your guide will tell you a bit about the history of the island, and explain what the various buildings are.
You may also notice, there are no dogs on Aitutaki, but there were on Rarotonga. This is one of the most interesting facts about the Cook Islands – cats rule on Aitutaki!
For such a small island, there is a surprising amount of history here. Aitutaki had the first airport in the whole country, and was also the birthplace of Christianity for the country. You’ll see a small church and shops as you walk the town.
The small township on Aitutaki is home to less than 2000 people. You’ll likely see locals, school children, and again, cats, as you follow along.
The Vaka Lagoon Cruise on Aitutaki
This is what you came here for!
The group will walk to the shore and board a traditional wooden vaka ship. They are large and have gorgeous carvings around the sides, which you’ll notice upon boarding.
You’ll be greeted by fresh coconuts, live music, and the bluest water stretching out into the horizon, forever.
The entire boat staff knows how to sing and play guitars, ukuleles and drums. That is actually a requirement for all children who grow up here – to learn traditional arts!
The Vaka Cruise is hands down the major highlight of the Aitutaki day tour.
The bulk of these images on this page are from the outer islands on the Vaka Cruise – namely, Akaiami, Moturakau and Tapuaetai (a.k.a. One Foot Island.)
You’ll see perfect white sand, towering green palms, and bright turquoise water everywhere. And the one thing you won’t see? Trash and plastic.
As you cruise between islands, you will have time to swim and walk on different beaches, too. Fun fact, some notable TV and movies have been filmed here, like Survivor Season 13.
You May Also Like: 23 Interesting Facts About the Cook Islands
Lunch on the Aitutaki Day Tour
You’ll also be treated to a freshly prepared lunch full of all the tropical fixings. The lunch offers an array of both local and western dishes, making it a perfect spread for everyone to enjoy.
The freshest tropical fruits such as papaya, mango, and passion fruit are served alongside various salads. You can even try fresh local bread.
The highlight for many people is the freshly caught fish. I am vegetarian, so I did not try it, but heard great things from the rest of the visitors.
Snorkeling in Aitutaki’s lagoon
The chin-deep water is home to a surprising amount of ocean wildlife. Incredibly large fish, a giant clam, and striped angel fish were plentiful.
This is where you will definitely want to have a GoPro handy! The sea life in the lagoon is so vibrant in the clear blue water. You’ll see so many different species of fish and colorful coral formations on the ocean floor.
One Foot Island
Every Vaka cruise will stop at One Foot Island. This is Aitutaki’s most famous landmark and personally, one of my favorite stops on the whole trip.
One Foot Island is the last stop on your Aitutaki Day Tour before you sail back to the main island. The gorgeous warm yellow and green palm trees, bright turquoise waters, and white sand are a true slice of paradise.
One of the coolest things to do here on One Foot Island is to get your passport stamped with a commemorative stamp. So like I said above, do not forget to bring your passport when you leave Rarotonga to Aitutaki for your day trip!
It will cost $2.00 NZD cash to get this stamp. You can also buy postcards here if you like.
After getting your passport stamped, you can enjoy the island paradise. Walk the white sand, swim in the shallow water, walk in the ankle-deep water, and take it all in.
At the end of your tour day, you will be transported back to the Aitutaki airport for your flight back to Rarotonga. Upon arrival back in Rarotonga, you will return back to your Rarotonga hotel or guesthouse, which is included in the price of your tour.
What To Pack for your Aitutaki Day Tour
There are some items that really helped to make my Rarotonga to Aitutaki day trip stress-free. Note that you allowed only 7kgs of carry-on luggage for the flight.
That is more than enough, as you don’t need to bring too much. (The snorkeling equipment and towels will be provided for you.)
Here is what I recommend packing for the trip:
A Waterproof Action Camera: You absolutely need to bring a camera. You will want to have evidence of how pristine the beaches and water is here. The snorkeling is unreal and you will regret not having a GoPro. GET YOURS HERE!
A Digital Camera: This is optional, but if you are a photographer or just enjoy taking photos, you will want to have one. GET MY RECOMMENDED CAMERA HERE!
A Beachy Kimono: Ladies, you will want this for the boat rides. It is a great way to cover your shoulders and protect from the sun, as well as to wear over a tank on the plane ride. GET YOUR KIMONO HERE!
A Dry Bag: This is one thing I consider a necessity for any and all beachy locales. A dry bag takes away the stress of accidentally soaking your phone, your camera, your wallet, r anything else valuable. Can’t recommend it enough. GET YOURS HERE!
Reef Safe Sunscreen: Once you see how beautiful the environment is here, you will want to do your part to protect it. Be sure to bring reef-safe sunscreen that won’t harm the sea life. GET YOURS HERE!
A Wide-Brim Hat: My trusty hats have flown with me all around the globe. This is one of my favorites because it is packable and crushable – which is great for stuffing in a suitcase! GET YOURS HERE!
Sunglasses: This is probably self-explanatory, but you will also want a pair of sunglasses to shield the sun. I recommend getting this two pack, because then if you lose or break one pair (like I often do) then you have a backup. GET YOUR SUNGLASSES HERE!
FAQs
The answers to these Frequently asked may help you plan your trip!
Are there any Aitutaki day trip specials?
No, there are no specials offered in my experience. While occasionally you might be able to snag a ticket if someone cancels, it is best to book your trip well in advance. It frequently sells out.
How long is the flight on Air Rarotonga to Aitutaki?
The fight will be roughly 40 minutes in full. It is a short flight with gorgeous views.
Final Thoughts: Is The Rarotonga To Aitutaki Day Trip Worth It?
Although a nearly $400 price tag is a hefty cost for a day trip, the Rarotonga to Aitutaki day trip was well worth it!
Remember that this price includes round trip flights, a cruise of the spectacular lagoon, a stop on One Foot Island, a tasty lunch, an Aitutaki Island tour, and transport to and from your Rarotonga hotel.
What it also includes is a magical atmosphere on the boat, because the local guides are so genuinely enthusiastic about showing you their world.
From your first glimpse of the island on your Air Raro flight, Aitutaki looks spectacular. On the ground, it is even better.
Whenever I get the chance to return to the Cook Islands, you can bet I will be visiting Aitutaki again! If you are able to go, then go. You will not regret it.
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