Aitutaki is a must-see if you want to experience the natural beauty of the Cook Islands. It’s a 45 minutes flight with Air Raro from Rarotonga’s international airport. Landing at the airstrip, built by the Americans during WW2, you’re greeted with a friendly 'Kia Orana' and a traditional lei, a friendliness which sets the pace for the rest of your holiday. There’s a cool, calmness to life on Aitutaki that’s quite different from the busier pace of Raratonga with its traffic and bigger population of locals and tourists. Aitutaki is lush and unspoiled in an intensity of turquoise and green that left me gobsmacked. All the while the surf crashes on the outer reef in long lines of white, leaving the shallow waters of the lagoon calm and warm, and ripe for kayaking and swimming. It was windy when we went snorkelling off Tamanu beach and the visibility was not great around the small patches of coral, but unless you’ve dived on better, you will still enjoy the underwater world. Accommodation there is more expensive than its big sister island Rarotonga, but worth every penny. While the island is small, it's a good idea to hire a vehicle to get around.

Great views lovely food mc knowledgeable.Started our trip with. Short flight to Aitutaki from Rarotonga the fare all inclusive with the cruise. That cost $600 had done the same trip 5 years ago at $500 and it’s definitely worth it. Had a tour around the island interesting to hear no dogs on the island compared to Raro where there a heaps of dogs stopped at Kori Cafe for refreshments and bought a few Pareous stunning colours then on to the Vaea the water unbelievable colours of blue stopped to snorkel with the fish so pretty and big silver fish stared with G on to the moth to swim then another to swim and had a beautiful lunch on board fruits fish salads bread. Passports are stamped for one foot island heaps of photos taken the crew sing while we are aboard the Vaka then back to the Airport to fly back to Raro a great trip had by all.

It truly is an idyllic setting with it's amazing colours that looking better than an pool colour we've ever seen. The people are amazing. They are genuinely happy and show it throughout the day. We began meeting our tour guide Ally, who is a Aikutaki treasure, stopping along the tour route to give shoutouts to local residents. The boat trip throughout the 15 islands with numerous stoos along the way for swimming, snorkeling and a BBQ lunch onboard. The crew, guide and captain performed and entertained us playing ukelele, drums and singing along the trip. This is truly the best day we had in the Cook Island's, a must do.

We went on The Kia Orana island cruise with Captain Fantastic, otherwise known as Andrew!! What a wonderful Day out he gave us! Not only the tour and history of 7 islands but also a beautifully prepared barbecue! Andrew had a great sense of humour and catered to all our needs ( one of our group asked to go into shallower waters to snorkel and he happily obliged!) I am happy to recommend this tour to anyone travelling to the Cook Islands. I promise u will not be disappointed! Thank you so much Andrew , your tour was the highlight of our holiday, regards Lyn and Ellis. Into