Aitutaki lagoon tours

I feel like I've seen this issue discussed before, but a quick search of the brance didn't uncover an answer. Please excuse me if this is a repeat.

We'll be in Aitutaki for 4 days, and we'd like to do 1 or 2 lagoon tours. I'm wondering what tour companies people recommend. I think we'd prefer small boats because we're quite avid snorkelers, and my impression is that the small boats can get you to more/better snorkeling spots.

Also, is there a tour company that takes snorkelers outside the reef, like for snorkeling along the outer walls? I don't even know if this is possible at Aitutaki.

Anything you can tell me about first-hand experiences with the boat tour companies would be very appreciated. thanks!

I enjoyed my tour with the Bishop's small boat, we visited a few islands, went snorkeling (two spots I think, one was over the giant clams) then went to One Foot Island for a delicious lunch (it was really good with local style dishes) and a couple of hours of free time and then we went back in the big boat which was fine because everyone was tired from sun and fun and you just sat and watched the scenery.

What you might want to consider is taking a private trip.

You can contact Matthias, at Matriki Beach Huts. I was staying there and he dropped me off at Maina motu for the day (I wanted to spend a day on a motu by myself) and then we stopped for snorkeling on the way back. I think it cost like $50 NZD two years ago. He can just take you out for snorkeling.

I sort of recall that the managers of Etu Moana can also put you in contact with some people who do private tours.

I would highly recommend Kia Orana Cruises. They take no more than 10 or 12 people out(there were only 6 of us on our trip) and follow mostly the same routine for snorkeling spots as the other tours. Our guide Kimi was excellent - he explained the history and culture of the motus we visited. The lunch on Honeymoon Island was mostly native foods served on large leaves and included an explanation of just what each item was. We walked through knee high water in the lagoon to a sand bar where Kimi picked us up. It was without a doubt the best experience we had on Aitutaki.

We went on the Kia Orana cruise too. It was excellent to say the least and a lot more personal than a big tour.
One of the guides played his ukele and sang during lunch, then he dug a hollow in the sand in the shade from the hut and had a nap while everyone had free time on the island. 8 ) One of my fondest memories of Aitutaki.

My husband went scuba diving with "Bubbles Below" outside the lagoon. The group only had 4 people in it and it was the first dive for all of them. Onu (the owner) was excellent with them all and made it easy. I didn't go scuba diving but was allowed to go out on the boat still. Not sure if they do snorkling trips outside the lagoon as well, but if not you might want to consider doing a dive? This was the highlight of our trip for my husband.

We didn't do a "drop off on a private motu" but it's definately something I want to do next time we go back.

When I was in Aitutaki (almost 20 yrs ago!!!) we went outside the reef.

I don't know whether it was a regular thing or not, but it was such a windy day, with quite horrible chop on the Lagoon.

We went outside the reef through one of the reef passage at Arutaga (sp?? - the main town) which was protected from the reef. We then drift snorkelled through the reef passage on a gentle tide flow - absolutely magic, in with all the fish.

The guy that ran that trip was called "Big Jay" - he also had a bar / restaurant on the road out toward the Rapae Hotel ( ie towards the airport if that hotel isn't there anymore!)

Rob

We went oon a tour withLaughton(?) a glass bottom boat. there were 4 of us. It was arranged by Mathias of Matriki Beach huts as well, this was several years ago. We went outside the reef, but snorkled and had lunch inside the reef away from other boats.

Go with Cathy and her sister Kopu. They are great fun and will take you in their boat out in to all the little Islands you have wanted to go .It is a bit rough and ready type trip but all the more fun than to be with other tourists on aforementioned boat trips. We had the best of times with them and did go out twice in their boat on our five days stay in Aitutaki.
S

Best snorkeling on Aitutaki is near Maina islet ("Honeymoon Island is a little speck of an islet next to it) in the SW corner of the lagoon. Bishops and a couple of others use "fast boats", with 6-8 pax, to get there, and then to One-Foot also. The large boats don't go to Maina, so ask in advance.

Snorkeling in the ocean can be dangerous. One group got smashed up on the reef, a few people got bloodied and almost died a couple of years ago. Make sure it is a very calm day in the ocean, which might only be a coupe of days each week.

If you snorkel in the little passage between the Aitutaki Lagoon Lagoon Resort and the main island, be very careful not to touch any submerged coral walls. Stonefish hang out on them, and you could easily grab one without noticing, and your Aitutaki trip will end with a visit to the hospital in Rarotonga on the next flight out.

All great advice. We went with Kia Orana tours, too. It was all good. As for experiencing a motu - all to ourselves - we took a couple of the kayaks that were made available at the resort where we stayed, Etu Moana. It was a bit of exercise, but we really enjoyed the sensation of being all alone on a desert island. We swam (too bad we didn't bring out snorkelling gear) and wandered along some incredibly beautiful beaches. In fact, we made it to a couple of these islands and then enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Samade's on the Beach.

I've been to Aitutaki 3 times. I've been on most of the lagoon tours (Bishops, Kit Kat & the large catamaran). All were wonderful but for different reasons. Bishops had the best snorkel stops. Kit Kat was faster than the large catamaran and stayed with the snorkel idea. The large catamaran (used on Survivor) was a more relaxed setting. Each outfit had a great crew. Personally I would take Bishops when you arrive and the big catamaran your last full day when your a little more tired and you just want to relax. Hope this helps.

I spent an awesome week in Aitutaki. Stayed at Samade where the staff were great, went on the Glass Bottom Boat tour (great!), did island hopping and snorkelling with Te King Tours - Te King is such an awesome dude. I'm definitely going back one day!