Aitutaki to Akitua

Hi there,

We are going to Akitua for a week at the end of August. We plan to do a couple of open water dives, does anyone have any advice as to which dive company to use? Also, as Akitua is a private island and we will be there for a week, we are wondering about the access to the main island of Aitutaki, is this frequent? We may like to spend a day on the main island and rent scooters, any tips, costs or advice? Are there liquor stores at the airport? A general store for some supplies near the airport?

Look forward to any advice.

Cheers, Nicole

There a footbridge connecting Akitua to the main island. No need to arrange any transport.

Thank you! Now I wonder why the resort didn't tell me that..........

Hi TravelingSwede, was your visit before February 06? As I found a site saying that the footbridge was washed away then.

As to your question re the airport and a liquor store, you should be aware that the airport is rather small and does not have any stores. At least the runway was paved when we were there in 2006(not so in 2001). The airport is off by itself and the general stores are in the opposite direction to where you are staying, but the island is not that big so a taxi ride will get you there quickly. If you rent a scooter/car you will need to get a Cook Island License - an easy matter at the Police Office and a nice souvenir to have. If you rent a scooter, be careful around the exhaust pipe - some people have experienced burns to their legs. Enjoy your trip - Aitutaki is a beautiful place!

Hi Nicole,

The footbridge has been removed by the owner of Akitua. A small launch takes guests back and forth from O'otu to the Aitutki Lagoon resort.
Regarding duty-free liquor, at present while the international terminal on Rarotonga is being upgraded you can access the duty-free shops via the Security barrier which seperates arrivals from departures. Hopefully by the end of 2009, there will be more choice for arrivals.