11 Things to Do on Aitutaki with Kids

Last Updated: 14 June, 2025

The Best Family Activities on Aitutaki

Tired of the same family holiday on Rarotonga? Or perhaps you are the sort of family who prefers to get off the beaten track? Either way, you’ll find a serene escape on Aitutaki and its stellar lagoon. Mum and Dad will easily get some R&R here while having a splash and building sandcastles on the beach will entertain the kids for hours. Cruises across Aitutaki’s picture-perfect lagoon are a highlight, however, and a must-do for families making the pilgrimage to this piece of South Pacific paradise. We’ll go over that and all the activities in between in this list of the best things to do on Aitutaki with kids.

While you’re here, be sure to open up (in a new tab) The Complete Travel Guide to Aitutaki for Families and 10 Best Family Resorts & Accommodations on Aitutaki.

1. Jump on a Lagoon Cruise and Get the Kids’ Passports Stamped at One Foot Island

You can’t travel to Aitutaki and not explore the lagoon! The lagoon cruises here provide an exciting day for families, including snorkelling with tropical fish, stopping off at a sandbank, indulging in a barbecue buffet, and getting your passports stamped at the world’s most unique post office at One Foot Island.

Although you might be the only family on the boat (Aitutaki is a popular honeymoon destination), the cruises here are still very welcoming to families. The Vaka Cruise and Bishop’s Cruises have the largest boats, offering easy access on and off the boat for younger seafarers.

Some of the snorkelling spots included in the cruise are 3-4m (3.3-4.4 yards) deep, better suited to confident swimmers. However, the sandbank and beaches offer excellent swimming for little ones. Teking Lagoon Cruises, for example, are more than happy to look after younger children and infants on board while parents swim.

Private charters for families are also available, offered by Kutekute Tours and Transfers, Teking, Wet & Wild, Platinum Cruising, and more. These tours cover the highlights and are tailored to suit your own pace and interests.

Location: Cruises depart from Ootu Beach, but transfers are typically included. Check out the 10 Best Lagoon Cruises in Aitutaki for a full comparison.

2. Snorkel with Tropical Fish

Needless to say, this is all part of the package when choosing a holiday on a tropical island, but it’s still well worth inserting time into your itinerary for this experience. There are many safe snorkelling spots within the sheltered lagoon of Aitutaki, more often than not just in front of your beachfront accommodation.

For snorkelling destinations, we recommend Base One and the beach between Tamanu Beach Resort and the Pacific Resort. Find out more in The Best Snorkelling in Aitutaki: Top 10 Places to Snorkel.

Location: Base One – Western end of the old runway. Tamanu and Pacific Resort – Northwestern coast of the main island.

3. Be Entertained at an Island Night

Experience a famous island night in Aitutaki! These lively events showcase energetic drumming, captivating dancing and traditional attire that will leave your family in awe.

Island nights are a popular attraction throughout the Cook Islands, offering a fantastic opportunity to experience local customs, savour delicious island cuisine, and enjoy thrilling Pacifika performances.

From the mesmerising moves of graceful dancers to the rhythmic beats of fierce warriors, these shows provide an exciting evening of entertainment for all ages. Many resorts and venues across the islands host their own unique island nights, each offering a special glimpse into Cook Islands culture.

For a comprehensive guide to the best island night experiences, be sure to check out our 10 Best Island Nights in the Cook Islands.

Location: Various locations across Aitutaki. See the link above for specific locations.

4. Head Out on a Family Kayaking Trip

Kayaks are a staple of beachfront accommodations on Aitutaki, with stays like Ranginui’s Retreat, Resort Tava’e and Tamanu Beach Resort offering complimentary use of kayaks for guests. Ask your host for the best places to go from your chosen accommodation, and don’t forget to take some snorkelling gear to enjoy the tropical marine life below.

Location: All over Aitutaki – See a comprehensive list of accommodations in the Where to Stay on Aitutaki: The Best Aitutaki Accommodations.

5. Build Sandcastles on the Beach

Oh yeah, there’s a whole lot of beach on Aitutaki. If a bucket and spade are part of your children’s holiday must-haves, then make sure they bring them to Aitutaki, where hours can be spent creating the most fabulous sand kingdom!

Location: All over Aitutaki! Check out the 10 Best Beaches in Aitutaki.

6. Go for a Swim at Ootu Beach

Speaking of beaches, if you’re looking for a good swimming beach to spend the day, then head to Ootu Beach at the far end of the Ootu Peninsula. Not only is it the hub for lagoon cruise departures and dining, but the sheltered beach with the lagoon on all sides is a good spot for swimming with kids.

The water can be a little murky for snorkelling, but it’s always worth taking some gear anyway if you want to see stingrays and fish.

Location: Ootu Beach, the southern end of the Ootu Peninsula and the main airport runway.

7. Treat the Tastebuds at One of Aitutaki’s Family-Friendly Cafes

No family holiday is complete without food. Although self-catering is a fantastic option for sticking to your budget (we list the best accommodations for this in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations on Aitutaki, you can be forgiven for treating yourself and loved ones to a meal out. It’s your holiday too, after all!

Family-friendly options include the Koru Café, Mouarii Café, Avatea Café and The Boat Shed, which also features a playground and trampoline. See them all and more in The Food Guide to Aitutaki.

Location: Koru Cafe – Ootu Beach, Mouarii Cafe – Arutanga, Avatea Cafe – Tautu, and The Boat Shed – Ootu Beach.

8. Head Out Sailing on the Lagoon

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Tavai Inventure Tours, the only eco-friendly sailing operator in Aitutaki. Your six-hour journey includes convenient transfers, a delicious lunch with fresh local fruit, and refreshing coconuts.

Captain Ted, a renowned expert, will guide you across the stunning lagoon, visiting enchanting smaller motus, including the famous One Foot Island. Enjoy snorkelling with provided equipment and experience the lagoon’s beauty without leaving an ecological footprint.

It’s a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and environmental consciousness that the whole family will love.

Location: Tours depart from Ootu Beach, Aitutaki. Transfers to and from your accommodation are included.

9. Speed Around the Lagoon in an Inflatable Tube

That’s right, Wet & Wild Aitutaki has all the watersport gear to have a whale of a time riding around the lagoon of Aitutaki. Part of the set-up is inflatable tube rides that are ideal for the whole family, as there’s no experience needed.

Just hold on! Charter one of their boats and guides for a day or half-day, and combine the experience with some snorkelling; just let the crew know what you’d like to do.

Location: Transfers included from any accommodation in Aitutaki.

10. Burn Off Some Energy at the Playground in Arutanga

There are plenty of historical sites, picnic spots and lookouts that will entice you to do a tiki tour around the main island of Aitutaki – more on that in A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Aitutaki. No matter how much you try to educate and culture the little ones, we can guarantee that their favourite place will be the park in Arutanga.

Be sure to stop by on your way around the island so the kids can burn off some steam on the playground or exercise equipment.

Location: Sir Albert Henry Drive, Arutanga.

11. Get in Some Pool Time

Finally, what is a family holiday without a splash in the pool? Family-friendly accommodations with swimming pools include Resort Tava’e, Moana Villa Aitutaki, and Tamanu Beach Resort.

Location: Refer to the links above to view the location of each accommodation.

More Things to Do on Aitutaki with Kids

That’s it for our list of things to do on Aitutaki with kids. If you need more inspiration, perhaps if your kids are a bit older and can do more experiences, check out more activities below:

Finally, plan more of your Cook Islands getaway using The Complete Travel Guide to the Cook Islands for Families and 30 Tips for Your Family Cook Islands Vacation with Kids.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as the Cook Islands. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Raro’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

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