Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# One day trip to Aitutaki Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
xabigarmendia 14:15 UTC 04 Feb 2007 | Hello!! I am going to Rarotonga for 4 nights to the rarotonga beach bungalows after being in nez zealand for 15 days qith a capervan, and I have to know if it is worthwhile do the one day trip to Aitutaki. I have read only beatiful things about that place, but only being 4 night in the cooks (I want to be at total relax) I don´t know if it could be possible. Thank you for all Xabi |
raro 14:01 UTC 05 Feb 2007 | If you can afford the NZ$400 or so, it is well worth the day trip. Daily except Sunday. If you are staying at RBB you can probably afford it, so I would do it. As you only have four days, try to go on the first full day you are here, if it's not a Sunday. Then if it's rainy, you can postpone it to the next day, etc. If you wait until your last full day to schedule it, and it rains, you're out of luck. | 1
unitedtravel 18:09 UTC 05 Feb 2007 | it's definetly worth and you will want to spend more time there. One day is really a shame. Do at least 2 days and one or 2 nights. First day you do the cruise in the lagoon. In the evening you go to the island nights. People are much much more friendly than on raro. | 2
boogiebass 22:39 UTC 05 Feb 2007 | Hey again Xabi, With only 4 nights, I would spend all my time on Rarotonga. The RBB is beautiful and all the running around to get to Aitutaki is not worth 25% of your time in the islands. Just an opinion! - - - - BB | 3
eenelfje 00:16 UTC 06 Feb 2007 | Everybody I have spoke to who have done the one day tour to Aitutaki were very satisfied with the daytrip and very glad they did it ! I stayed on Aitutaki for a few days and after seeing that amazing lagoon now I now why they offer daytrips to Aitutaki !...........I would definately take the daytrip to see the lagoon !! Its so beautifull ! | 4
perthgirl 05:33 UTC 06 Feb 2007 | Went to the Cooks last May including 4 nights on Aitutaki. We were nearly crying when it came time to leave Aitutaki as we just fell in LOVE with the place. The Lagoon is amazing. True there's not as much to do as on Raro but there place is so beautiful. (sigh of contentment) I would still be kicking myself if we hadn't gone to Aitutaki. Enjoy! | 5
johnandjen 19:48 UTC 14 Feb 2007 | Hard question to answer. I've been fortunate to do two Cooks trips, and have spent a week in Aitutaki each time. But at the end of the day you have four days to spend in total. There is plenty to do on Raro to keep you entertained for four days, or plenty of beautiful places to relax in that time as well. Raro is a lovely place that has some quiet spots and places that are getting busier too, but you won't ever feel croweded on beach, like struggling for towel space or anything like that. So Raro is great in and of itself, however Aitutaki is something else again, however even with the day trip, with your four days total you want to look at how much time you want to spend at the airport. I cannot speak highly enough of Aitutaki, it is a truly remarkable place. Especially in the right weather. In average weather, still a lovely place but lacks the wow factor. How about you get to Raro. If the weather is good there, excellent, enjoy. If the weather is better in Aitutaki, do the day trip if you can afford it. Aitutaki is a great place, and if you are never likely to get back to the Cooks, definitely do it if the weather is good. Have fun! By the way, Nu Bar does good steaks, Trader Jacks is very good for food and beer and a good night out, Cafe Salsa also does good food and the bar upstairs behind the gym (?) does good beer and burgers overlooking the water. Also although over priced the fish and chip place at the fishing club does very good fish and chips and scallops. The RSA is also good for a quiet beer. And keep an eye out for the wraps with the (usually) Indian style chicken and stuff inside that is sold at most of the shops, a reasonably priced filling lunch that keeps well in a bag and is tasty. Thinking about this, I will have to go back...... | 6