Aitutaki Lagoon Cruise Overview
Known as one of the must do things when on holiday in the Cook Islands, a day cruise on Aitutaki Lagoon is a day to be remembered. We are happy to arrange any Aitutaki Lagoon day cruises and tours for you; or you can book yourself if you prefer - just let us know in case the cruise company needs to contact you for any last minute change or pick-up times ...
watch video of aitutaki lagoon cruiseIslands in Aitutaki Lagoon
Day Cruises on Aitutaki Lagoon
There are five different Aitutaki lagoon cruise companies (2025), most have around 12 guests per boat, although there are two larger vessels: Bishop's Cruises largest vessel has a capacity of 35 guests (they also have smaller boats for 14 & 6 passengers); whilst the Te Vaka lagoon cruise hosts up to 70 people with some flying over from Rarotonga on a day trip. The Te Vaka cruise is sometimes full with day-trippers; otherwise most cruises can be booked when you arrive which gives you a better idea of what the weather is going to be like. The turquoise colour of the lagoon shines best in full sun, the beaches look prettier against blue skies, and snorkelling viability is best without wind and in full sunlight. The only time cruise companies get busy is if a large overseas cruise liner is visiting Aitutaki, in which case the lagoon becomes very busy. My advice if you don't like crowds is to get out on the lagoon as early as you can.
Aitutaki Lagoon Cruises
Most lagoon cruises depart Monday to Saturday at 10am and return about 3.30pm, although several companies including Aitutaki Adventures offer half-day cruises without lunch. Aitutaki Adventures and Kia Orana Cruise are the only lagoon cruises on Aitutaki that go out on Sunday. If you really want to escape the crowds then look into chartering a boat so you can decide exactly when and where to go. Cruises depart from either Arutanga Harbour, Tautu Wharf or Ootu Point at the southern tip of Aitutaki Island. All day cruise operators provide snorkelling gear, towels and life jackets and pick-up guests from Aitutaki Beach Villas. Some companies offer a water taxi service so you can be dropped off at a specific island for the day and be picked-up later. Guests can book all lagoon cruises via the villa manager or using the complimentary telephone at the villas.
Aitutaki Lagoon is not that big so pretty much every lagoon cruise follows a similar route, visiting three or four islands (motu in the local language) which inevitably includes the famous One Foot Island and if tide permits, guests are dropped at the nearby sand bar to walk over to One Foot. There will be several stops in the lagoon for snorkelling and most companies offer lunch on one of the islands (Te Vaka lunch is on board the vessel). Cruises that depart Aratunga Wharf (near the villas) visit the incredibly beautiful Honeymoon Island and adjacent Maina Island which has abundant sea-bird colonies as well as giant clams in the lagoon. Cruises that depart Ootu Point or Tautu Wharf tend to visit Akaiami en-route to One Foot Island.
Activities on Aitutaki Lagoon
Aitutaki Lagoon Cruise Tour Companies
The following offers a brief on the various Aitutaki lagoon cruise companies. Itineraries vary depending on tides and weather; the small operators have more flexibility and try to get out to One Foot Island first, before the big boats arrive.
Aitutaki Adventures
This is the most intimate of the day cruise companies and my personal favourite. The small speed-boat with canopy departs from Aratunga Wharf, cruising over to One Foot Island with a stop at Rapatoa, location of several reality TV shows. The tour has several snorkelling stops before visiting Honeymoon Island rich in bird-life. A snorkel in the lagoon to see the giant clams is usually included on the way back. They also offer a water taxi service if you want to spend time on a specific island; or shorter half day cruises which is ideal for a second day on the lagoon, or to fill in if you're departing the villas later in the afternoon.
Kia Orana Cruise
This cruise is also highly recommended, also by small speed-boat with canopy, and has a very similar itinerary to Aitutaki Adventures. This cruise departs from Amuri playing field which is a short walk along the beach from Aitutaki Beach Villas.
Teking Tours
This cruise focuses on snorkelling in the lagoon with a maximum 16 passengers plus stops at a couple of motu including One Foot and lunch at Maina Island. They also have smaller boats for private tours and a sunset cruise (no snorkelling) to Honeymoon Island.
Bishop's Cruise
This cruise company has three boats, two speed-boats and a larger aluminium-hull vessel with seating downstairs and an observation deck upstairs great for taking pictures and sunbathing. Cruises depart from Ootu Point and take in a stop at Akaiami Island, a snorkel in the lagoon and drops guests at the sandbar where you can wade over to One Foot island for your BBQ lunch. Mini bar available on all lagoon cruises.
Te Vaka Cruise
This slow day cruise aboard the large 70-seater catamaran "Te Vaka" is popular as a day-trip from Rarotonga and visits two islands with a snorkel stop in the lagoon. After a big lunch on board the boat guests are dropped at the sand bar (tide permitting) to wade over to One Foot Island and enjoy an hour at leisure to walk around the island, snorkel or just relax in the swimming lagoon. Guests are entertained on-board with live music and complimentary tea and coffee as well as a licensed bar is available.
Private Charters & Water Taxis
A private cruise on Aitutaki Lagoon is the ultimate experience and highly recommended for honeymooners for the extra treat. The day is yours to do what you want (tides permitted) so you can custom build your journey around the lagoon. If you just want to spend a day on say Honeymoon or One Foot Island you can get one of the cruise companies to drop you there on their run and then collect you later in the day. The following companies offer private charters:
Game Fishing & Bone Fishing Charters
The following companies offer fishing charters on Aitutaki Lagoon:
E2 Way Bonefishing
Black Pearl Charter
JP Charters
Moonlight Charter