This was a definite highlight on my visit to Aitutaki and the Cook Islands! Cruising among the atolls scattered across the azure waters, having the most delicious barbecue lunch amidst the trees on one of the small islands, and then being dropped off on a sandbank and waded to the nearest islet. Who can say this is not paradise! Here I bet you’ll also find one of the top snorkeling experiences in the world! The water is crystal clear, so much it felt like my head was above water, and not below the surface. The reef is teeming with life. Colourful corals, and giant clams. At one stop giant trevallies were fed bread. Seeing them jump you realise how huge they really are. Snorkelling with them, they looked less scary, but I kept a certain distance 😀 We were able to explore a sunken shipwreck, and at one point I found myself was sitting on a sandy seamount, head above water, body below, feet dangling off the cliff.
For the lagoon cruise I went with Teking Lagoon Tours, after having them recommended by the hostel I stayed at. It was a small group of people, just 7 of us, plus crew. It is far from fancy, and it might not be to everyone’s taste (the guys/crew are a bit “rowdy”), but to me it felt like hanging with the boys, so I loved it! And another thing I must give them props for, as I’m not the most experienced snorkeler (and strong swimmer), when we at one point had to go from the boat drop-off point to a pick-up point farther away, one of the guys volunteered to be my life jacket (as the other guys called him jokingly) 🙂 – mind you in a non-nasty way! Basically I ended up getting my own private tour guide to show me around at all the snorkel stops. Grateful beyond expression as I wouldn’t have gotten to experience the wonderful underwater world if it hadn’t been for him. He made my trip!
Wow! Your photos are stunning! I have heard the Cook Islands have very good prices (when compared to Fiji or Tahiti). Is that true?
Thanks! I didn’t look into prices for Fiji or Tahiti (going there was not an option), so I don’t know how they compare, but I didn’t find the prices for plane tickets and hotels to be unmanageable – given that you book Rarotonga-Aitutaki very well in advance and are willing to go budget when it comes to hotels. Didn’t think too much about prices for food etc either, but then again I’m from Norway so I rarely find things expensive 🙂
I have many people who have told me that Aitutaki is amazing.
Yes, because I can’t imagine anyone visiting and not be amazed!
Omigosh….I would love to go and see these beautiful islands and swim and relax and warm up!
I hear you 🙂
What a beautiful place. Definitely worth a visit! 🙂
Exactly 😉
We’re keen to go but not managed the cost yet (we’re 5, 4 adults now!!)
I guess when the kids have moved out 🙂 I was actually surprised that the plane tickets from Rarotonga to Aitutaki weren’t as expensive as I thought they were going to be. I did buy the tickets quite “late” (I guess they sell out quickly…), so I had to go with the most expensive ones, but had I done it earlier, it wouldn’t have been too bad. Hotels are expensive, but if you are willing to go budget it is doable. Or you can do a day trip from Raro, to get a whiff of it. Air Rarotonga has a day tour package. I would say the same goes for Rarotonga plane tickets and hotel. I flew out of NZ.
What a paradise, the colours of that atoll are outstanding.
Nothing short of breathtaking!! Loved every second of it!!
Looks like bliss!
True bliss!!
Visited the Rarotonga (on business) but never managed to see / visit Aitutaki – couldn’t think of a good business reason :-o)
Ha ha 😀 Hope you think of a good one next time 🙂