Aitutaki
Aitutaki is a Cook Islands island whose lagoon, inside an encircling reef, suits travelers who want time on the water.
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Aitutaki is a Cook Islands island in the South Pacific. It is the second most populated island in the group after Rarotonga, and the second most visited. The island is an almost atoll: a lagoon sits inside an encircling reef, with a large area of high land on one side. The main village, Arutanga, is on the west side, where the port and the boat passage through the reef are. The lagoon holds fifteen islets, and only two are volcanic; the rest are coral.
One Foot Island, a small islet in the southeast of the lagoon, is the most visited trip and has the best lagoon views. Tourism dominates the economy, and about 36% of the workforce works in restaurants and accommodation. The main island's volcanic soil grows tropical fruit and vegetables. Aitutaki suits travelers who want time on the water more than a city break. Plan a few nights so you can join a lagoon trip and still have a day on land.
Aitutaki in five
- Plan the link to AitutakiAitutaki Airport is near the island's northern point, and boats pass through the reef at Arutanga to reach the port. Check flight and boat timetables before you set your dates.Getting around
- Visit One Foot Island at low tideOne Foot Island is the most visited trip and has the best lagoon views. At low tide you may walk on a sandbank some distance from it, depending on the tide.Tours and tickets
- Set up data before you landAitutaki has been connected to the Manatua One Polynesia Fibre Cable since September 2020. Set up an eSIM before arrival and download offline maps for the island roads.Phones and eSIM
- Visit the oldest church in ArutangaThe Cook Islands Christian Church was built by two London Missionary Society teachers, Papeiha and Vahapata. It is the oldest church in the country and stands in Arutanga, the village on the west side.
- Visit Akaiami for the flying boat jettyThe islet of Akaiami in the southeast of the lagoon has the remains of a purpose-built jetty from the 1950s flying boat era. The TEAL Coral Route used the lagoon as a stopover until 1960.
Things to do in Aitutaki
See all attractions in Aitutaki
Need to know
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar (NZD)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; check rules before you book
- Emergency
- 999 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC-10, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWet, cyclone risk
- FebruaryCyclone season
- MarchWet, warm
- AprilRains easing
- MayDrier, mild
- JuneDry, breezy
- JulyDry, quiet
- AugustDry, calm
- SeptemberDry, warm
- OctoberWarm, drier
- NovemberRains return
- DecemberHolidays, rain
Right now in Aitutaki
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 42 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 76%
Aitutaki
12:02 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today25°23°76%Monday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Tue23°22°6%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Wed23°22°16%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Thu24°23°29%Thursday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Fri24°23°25%Friday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sat25°23°22%Saturday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 22%.
Updated 08:21 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.778 NZD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- One Foot IslandBoat trip across the lagoonThe most visited trip, with the best lagoon views and a sandbank at low tide.Read the guide
- AkaiamiBoat trip across the lagoonA southeast islet with the remains of a 1950s flying boat jetty.
- MangereBoat trip across the lagoonA small islet that forms part of the eastern edge of the reef.
Before you go to Aitutaki
Rules for Aitutaki, checked
- Check Cook Islands entry rules before you book; many nationalities need no visa for a short stay, but confirm with the official immigration source.
- Declare food, plants and other biological items on arrival, since the Cook Islands checks biosecurity closely.
- Dial 999 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in the Cook Islands.
- Dress modestly for church services and visits to churches, including the Cook Islands Christian Church in Arutanga.
Plan around Aitutaki
Aitutaki in a wider Cook Islands trip
Read the guideAustralia and PacificOther Pacific destinations for a longer route
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, boats and local transport for Aitutaki
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for the Cook Islands
Read the guideMoney and costsTypical prices and cards for the trip
Read the guideTours and ticketsLagoon trips to One Foot Island and the islets
Read the guideAitutaki FAQ
Is Aitutaki worth visiting?
Yes, for lagoon trips, seabirds and time on the water. It is the second most visited Cook Island after Rarotonga, so plan the lagoon trips as the main part of the stay.
How do you get to Aitutaki?
By air to Aitutaki Airport near the island's northern point, or by boat through the reef to the port at Arutanga. Check current flight and boat timetables before you book.
Is One Foot Island worth it?
Yes. It is the most visited trip on the island and has the best lagoon views. At low tide you can walk on a sandbank some distance away, but the tide decides whether you can reach it.
How many days do you need in Aitutaki?
Plan a few nights so you can join a lagoon trip, walk around Arutanga and have a day with no boat. One day covers One Foot Island but leaves little time for the villages.
Can you see birds on Aitutaki?
Yes. Seabirds include tropicbirds, boobies, frigatebirds, noddies, white terns and reef herons. The main island is an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.