Aitutaki Holiday Information - FAQs

Tourist Information for Holidays on Aitutaki Island

We've put together answers to the most common questions we receive about holidays on Aitutaki Island. Aitutaki Beach Villas is locally owned by the Tini family since 2000, offering four private beachfront villas from NZ$385/night — book direct, not available via Airbnb or Booking.com. If there's anything not covered here, please feel free to drop us an email and we'll get back to you promptly.

Questions about the location of Aitutaki Beach Villas

Flights to Aitutaki

Air Rarotonga is the only airline flying to Aitutaki Island. Most flights connect through Rarotonga, with some services also linking to Atiu. There are around six flights per day, with a reduced schedule on Sundays. Book flights directly via the Air Rarotonga website.

Aitutaki Airport & Transfers

Aitutaki Beach Villas is about a ten-minute drive from Aitutaki Airport — one of the most endearingly small airports you'll ever pass through. There's a small café, toilets and an ATM on-site. Our villa manager meets all guests at the airport with a welcome lei (a traditional flower garland) and transfers everyone to the villas in our air-conditioned van, with a short orientation drive along the way pointing out the nearest shops and restaurants.

Do you arrange transfers from other hotels?

If you are already on Aitutaki Island before you check-in to our villas, we can organise your transfers from another hotel on the island. Normally we provide this transfer at 12.30pm to co-ordinate with our normal check-in time..

What if I arrive before normal check-in time or depart after check-out time

If your flight arrives before our 1pm check-in time, or you're departing after the 10am check-out, you're welcome to wait at the property and make use of the beach, swim in the lagoon, or relax on the sun-chairs and hammocks. If your villa is ready early, you can move straight in; otherwise we'll let you know as soon as it is. For afternoon flights we recommend purchasing a late check-out so you can use the villa right up until departure. Our office doesn't have a sitting area or bathroom, but there is an outdoor shower available.

Can I leave luggage?

Yes, you can leave your packed bags at the office until your villa is ready / the time of your flight departure. Please note the office is not always attended to.

Our Beach

The beach is predominantly sandy with some broken coral mixed in. There are beach chairs and reclining sun loungers on the beach, though no umbrellas — however, there are plenty of shady spots and two hammocks between palm trees. The beach isn't raked daily but is routinely cleared of stones and coral pieces. During rough weather or high seas, coral and stones can wash up on the sand.

Our Lagoon

There is all-tide swimming directly in the lagoon in front of the villas. Coral patches are present in the lagoon — pieces can break off and leave debris in the water — so we recommend wearing reef shoes when entering. These are available to buy in Arutanga Town.

SUP & Kayaks

Single and double sea-kayaks and SUP (stand-up paddleboard) boards are available for hire from the villa manager by the hour ($15/h single kayak, $20/h double kayak, $15/h SUP). For guest use only.

Snorkelling

The protected lagoon directly in front of the villas has coral patches and schools of small reef fish — a decent spot for casual snorkelling — see our Aitutaki lagoon pictures. The best snorkelling on Aitutaki, however, is in the open lagoon, accessible on Aitutaki lagoon day cruises where snorkelling gear is provided by the operator. Snorkelling gear is not supplied at the villas, but sets can be purchased from Vonnias in Arutanga Town (they also stock reef shoes); alternatively, bring your own.

Questions about villa amenities at Aitutaki Beach Villas

Villa Allocation

We will try our best to accommodate any special request for a specific Absolute Beachfront Villa #1 or #2. However, it can only be considered a request and cannot be guaranteed due to logistics of other guest check-in / check-out dates.

Air conditioning

All villas have hybrid air-conditioners which run off solar power during the day and mains electricity at night. Villas also have powerful wall fans to assist the air flow (like commercial fans) and large screened windows to let in the cool ocean breeze. Our villas are well positioned to allow the ocean trade winds to flow through the villas, and in most cases the fans are all that you'll need.

Kitchen Utilities

Cooktop Stove, Fridge/Freezer, Electric Kettle, Toaster, Rice Cooker, Blender, Coffee Plunger; Pots & Pan, Dinner Plates, Side Plates, Cereal Bowls, Cups, Wine Glasses, Cutlery Can opener, Kitchen Knife, Potato peeler, Potato masher, Tongs, Spatula, Cooking spoon, Serving spoon.

Toiletries Supplied

Hair-dryer, Soap, Conditioner, Shampoo, Hand towels, Bath towels, Beach towels, Umbrella.

Electricity & Plugs

Electricity is 240v with plugs the same design as New Zealand and Australia. We do not have USB charging hubs so please bring your own.

Water

Drinking water straight out of the tap is not recommended in Aitutaki or Rarotonga. We provide filtered and UV treated water in the villas and guests can refill bottles themselves from a large water bottle outside the office (or from the various water stations around the island). Otherwise, if guests wish to buy bottled water, these are also available from shops close by.

Laundry

Housekeeping can provide guest laundry on request for $20 / load. There is an iron available but this needs to be organised in advance with the villa manager.

Infants

We can provide a porta cot with bedding. Please request this in advance as there is only one cot. We do not have a high-chair, and there is no infant car seat available anywhere on Aitutaki.

Babysitter

The villa manager can arrange a babysitter for you for the day or just for the evening (cash payment).

Accessibility

The villas are not accessible by wheelchair and the guest will have to walk up steps to access the villa. The Lagoon View Villa has the fewest steps to climb (3). Alternatively, the Absolute Beachfront V#1 has wider steps than the Absolute Beachfront Villa #2.

LGBT+

Although the Cook Islands is a very Christian country, it has a very open culture and is accepting of all peoples. You have our assurance that LGBT+ guests will not be treated any differently from any other guests.

Internet

Starlink internet is available at the villas: $5/day for stays up to 7 nights; $50 for 8–14 nights (2026 pricing). Tourist SIM cards are available from the Vodafone booth at Rarotonga Airport arrivals. WiFi signal reaches all four villas and can be accessed with a pre-paid Vodafone voucher, available from local shops. The villa manager can assist with purchasing top-ups.

Card payments

Cards are accepted at most of the shops, restaurants and tour companies, although a few are still cash only. Please check in advance. Any sundries at the villas (laundry, internet, mopeds etc.) must be paid in cash only (there is no eftpos processing at the villas).

Are windows and doors screened?

All windows and doors have screens to keep out insects. However, we live in the tropics so geckos can be seen inside the villas. Geckos are harmless, unless you are a mosquito in which case you'll be eaten!

Mosquitoes

Like all places in the tropics mosquitoes are present, most notable after periods of heavy rain. However, they are not abundant like some places on Raro as Aitutaki does not have much swampy land for them to breed. For those keen to avoid bites we recommend the use of mosquito spray in the evenings. Mosquito coils are provided, and can be bought at local shops, but bring your own repellent.

Questions about activities and services on Aitutaki Island

Getting Around Aitutaki Island

Aitutaki is a small island and there's no regular public bus (a minibus travels along the main road twice a day only; $5pp one way). There is a taxi service (2 companies) which takes 20 minutes to town or to Ootu Point which is the farthest for restaurants. Restaurant transfers are around $30pp. Different rates for groups/seniors. All local tours and Lagoon Cruises offer free pick-up. Most people get around by mopeds and we recommend you hire one for your stay so you can enjoy the local scenery and get to the shops and restaurants easily. If you find yourself needing transport the villa manager may be able to assist.

Shops & Restaurants on Aitutaki

There are a handful of restaurants, cafés and grocery shops a short walk from villas. See the page Aitutaki island for detailed information on where you can eat and buy groceries.

Renting a Moped

We have a handful of automatic mopeds at the villas for guest use. Cost is $30 per day and can be reserved with your accommodation booking. Helmets are not required in Aitutaki (they are on Raro). We have a couple of helmets if guests want to use one. Any damage to the moped and/or to other people or property etc. is the guest's liability (travel insurance is recommended but not compulsory). You will need to obtain a local driving license from the police station in town (you can drive yourself to the police station). The cost is $4 and the process quick and simple (you need to show a valid driving license from your home country). Opening hours are Mon-Fri 9am to 11.30am. If guests arrive on Friday afternoon or the weekend you can still use the mopeds and then do the paperwork on Monday morning. For up-to-date detailed information on driving license requirements please visit: www.transport.gov.ck

Renting a Car

There are a handful of car rental companies. Aquila's and Rino's are local to us; or you can book online via Aitutaki Car Rental. You will need to bring a valid home driving license to rent a car in Aitutaki.

Bicycles & E-Bikes

The villas have two bicycles for rent. You can also rent e-bikes from next door, but the price is the same as our mopeds!

Island Nights on Aitutaki

Several resorts host Island Nights open to outside guests. These are traditional Cook Islands cultural performances featuring live drumming and dance by local groups, usually preceded by a buffet dinner with food cooked in a traditional underground oven (umu). See our Aitutaki Island guide for more on what to do and where to eat. Island Nights are held three nights a week at Tava'e Resort (3 minutes along the beach) and Tamanu Beach Resort (5 minutes along the beach). Check with the villa manager for current nights and pricing.

Activities and Lagoon Cruises

Please see our page Aitutaki Island for information about restaurants and shops and tours on Aitutaki; or the page Aitutaki Lagoon Cruises for detailed info about the different day trips and water taxis on the lagoon.

Windsurfing & Kite-surfing

Available for rent via Aitutaki Kite-boarding School

Fishing & Game Fishing

You can fish in the lagoon right from the shore in front of the villas — basic rods and lures are available at Vonnias in Arutanga Town. For something more serious, Aitutaki has several private deep-sea game fishing charters and bone fishing specialists operating on the lagoon. Bone fishing on Aitutaki Lagoon is world-renowned and considered one of the best flats fishing destinations in the Pacific.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving on Aitutaki is provided by Dive Aitutaki (also known as Bubbles Below), based in Arutanga. They are the only dive operator on the island and offer dives on the outer reef walls and channel. Visit diveaitutaki.com for current schedules and pricing.

Whale Watching & Turtles

Humpback whales pass the outer reef of Aitutaki during the months of July to October and can be seen breaching from the villas — they are also visible on an Aitutaki lagoon cruise during this season. Green turtles are often seen in the lagoon taking a rest from the perils of the deep sea although dolphins are only seen beyond the reef. Whilst it is always fantastic to encounter these marine species in their natural habitat we do not recommend any tours that specifically seek them out as it disturbs their natural life patterns.

General Tourist Information for Visiting the Cook Islands

When is the best time to visit Aitutaki Lagoon?

Aitutaki enjoys a warm tropical climate year-round, making it a great destination in any season. The dry season from May to October brings cooler temperatures, reliable trade winds (ideal for kitesurfing and sailing) and the best conditions for snorkelling and lagoon cruises. November to April is the wetter season — greener and more lush, with fewer tourists and lower accommodation rates. Humpback whales pass Aitutaki's outer reef between July and October. All villas have hybrid solar/electric air-conditioning and ceiling fans, so you'll be comfortable regardless of when you visit.

Accommodation on Rarotonga

If you are looking for accommodation on Rarotonga, the owner has a tranquil garden bungalow a few minutes' walk inland from the beach at Titikaveka on the south side of Rarotonga — Kauare Bach Lodge Rarotonga. For Aitutaki rates and availability, visit our booking enquiry page.