Cook Islands - A few questions

sharrona19:47 UTC28 Sep 2014

Hi,

We are off to Raro and Aitutaki for our honeymoon in a months time (very excited), I keep seeing idyllic pictures of people Paddle Boarding I think off Muri and in Aitutaki, does anyone know of the paddle boards are easy to hire? I assume they are hired from the big posh hotels, but we aren't staying in one of them, can a non resident hire them?

Can anyone recommend nice places to eat on both islands? We will eat pretty much any cuisine, mid range budget.

Finally, do you need to wear Reef Shoes in the sea? I hear stories about poisonous fish that live in the sand/stones that you can stand on if you aren't careful?

Thanks,
Sharron.

araura17:33 UTC30 Sep 2014

Hi Sharron, On Aitutaki you can rent SUP boards at Samade on the Beach in the Ootu area at the south end of the peninsula that has the runway. You do not have to be staying there.

Samade is also a nice place to have lunch. Also nearby is the Koru Cafe reputed to have the best coffee on the island and excellent food. They are open 7 days for breakfast and lunch. Next to the Koru is the Boat Shed open 7 days for lunch and dinner - good food and a nice atmosphere.

Yes there are stone fish in the Aitutaki Lagoon but if you are careful where you step or place your hand it's not a problem. Reef shoes are recommended not just for them but to also protect from small pieces of coral. If you shuffle your feet when you walk you will kick any stone fish that may be there and it will just swim away. They don't attack you. The sting is purely defensive in nature and happens if you step straight down on them. They flare their dorsal fins which is where the toxin is.

bondrj08:03 UTC16 Oct 2014

We stayed at Tamanu Beach Hotel Aitutaki which had a good restaurant and free bikes and paddle boards. They also had some lovely huts on the beach facing the lagoon. Air Raro where doing cheep last minute flights and accommodation there which they advertise in the local paper if your willing to chance not getting there. In Rarotonga someone told us about a great little bar near the airport that did good meals. Went there on my last night. It was just on the Airport/Avarua side of the Airport Road. A bit more info in the link below.

http://bondrj.tripod.com/blog/index.blog?from=20141015

Cook Islands - A few questions! Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
sharrona19:47 UTC28 Sep 2014	Hi, We are off to Raro and Aitutaki for our honeymoon in a months time (very excited), I keep seeing idyllic pictures of people Paddle Boarding I think off Muri and in Aitutaki, does anyone know of the paddle boards are easy to hire? I assume they are hired from the big posh hotels, but we aren't staying in one of them, can a non resident hire them? Can anyone recommend nice places to eat on both islands? We will eat pretty much any cuisine, mid range budget. Finally, do you need to wear Reef Shoes in the sea? I hear stories about poisonous fish that live in the sand/stones that you can stand on if you aren't careful? Thanks, Sharron.
araura17:33 UTC30 Sep 2014	Hi Sharron, On Aitutaki you can rent SUP boards at Samade on the Beach in the Ootu area at the south end of the peninsula that has the runway. You do not have to be staying there. Samade is also a nice place to have lunch. Also nearby is the Koru Cafe reputed to have the best coffee on the island and excellent food. They are open 7 days for breakfast and lunch. Next to the Koru is the Boat Shed open 7 days for lunch and dinner - good food and a nice atmosphere. Yes there are stone fish in the Aitutaki Lagoon but if you are careful where you step or place your hand it's not a problem. Reef shoes are recommended not just for them but to also protect from small pieces of coral. If you shuffle your feet when you walk you will kick any stone fish that may be there and it will just swim away. They don't attack you. The sting is purely defensive in nature and happens if you step straight down on them. They flare their dorsal fins which is where the toxin is.	1
bondrj08:03 UTC16 Oct 2014	We stayed at Tamanu Beach Hotel Aitutaki which had a good restaurant and free bikes and paddle boards. They also had some lovely huts on the beach facing the lagoon. Air Raro where doing cheep last minute flights and accommodation there which they advertise in the local paper if your willing to chance not getting there. In Rarotonga someone told us about a great little bar near the airport that did good meals. Went there on my last night. It was just on the Airport/Avarua side of the Airport Road. A bit more info in the link below. http://bondrj.tripod.com/blog/index.blog?from=20141015	2

Cook Islands - A few questions!