Aitutaki Honeymoon & Romance Itinerary: 5 Days ❤️ [2024]

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How to Get Around Aitutaki in 5 Days

This Aitutaki honeymoon and romance itinerary for 5 days has you not only flying to Aitutaki but travelling around the island’s roads and lagoon. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get around Aitutaki and the Cook Islands in 5 days.

Transport From Rarotonga to Aitutaki

This itinerary has you travelling between Rarotonga and Aitutaki via domestic flight. Flights are around 50 minutes, while approximate airfares can be found in our guide, Domestic Flights in the Cook Islands.

Road Transport in Aitutaki

The first road transport you’ll encounter on Aitutaki is your airport transfer. This step couldn’t be easier, however, as accommodations on the island offer airport transfers to guests (usually free of charge).

For travelling around Aitutaki’s main island, car and scooter hire offers the most flexibility and convenience. Get advice on car hire from What You Need to Hire a Car in the Cook Islands or for renting a scooter, check out the 10 Tips for Riding a Scooter in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands. Water transport is also required to explore the lagoon, which this itinerary covers with lagoon cruises and the option of a water taxi excursion.

For all of your transport options, including bicycle hire, taxis and more, check out the Aitutaki Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Aitutaki.

© Craig Owen - Cook Islands Tourism

Day 1 – Arrival in Aitutaki

Welcome to the Cook Islands and the start of your escape to paradise! After the arrivals process of going through customs and biosecurity at Rarotonga International Airport, you’ll make your way from the arrivals hall to the domestic terminal for your connecting flight to Aitutaki.

After a 50-minute flight and a scenic approach over the lagoon, you’ll meet your accommodation representative at Aitutaki Airport complete with the traditional greeting of gifting you both floral ‘eis (neck garlands). You will then be transported to your chosen accommodation for check-in.

Since it’s your first day in the Cook Islands, take it easy and get settled at your chosen honeymoon accommodation. After check-in, relax by the beach, have a paddle with the kayaks provided at your resort and transition to “island time”. We’ll go over a few things you can do in Aitutaki tomorrow.

Aitutaki Romantic Accommodations

• Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort
• Etu Moana Boutique Beach Villas
• Pacific Resort Aitutaki
• Tai Marino
• Abera’s Aitutaki Villas
• Aitutaki Escape
• Tai Roto Bay Beach Villas

For more details on our top recommendations, take a look at the 10 Most Romantic Wedding & Honeymoon Resorts on Aitutaki.

Dining Recommendations

Make things simple yet no less romantic with dinner at your resort, whether it’s dining on Polynesian cuisine at Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort, pizza by the pool or a barbecue on the beach at Etu Moana Boutique Beach Villas or fine dining at Pacific Resort Aitutaki. If you’re not staying at any of these accommodations, well, they’ll be happy to have you in regardless.

Check out The Food Guide to Aitutaki: Places to Eat & Food Tours to learn more about the resort restaurants mentioned above and more.

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Day 2 – Tour the Aitutaki Lagoon

You can’t visit Aitutaki and not explore its paradisal lagoon, so make this your top priority to experience together!

Option 1: Lagoon Cruise

One way to explore the lagoon, that’s also the most cost-effective, is a lagoon cruise. There are several to choose from, from the small-group adventure of Teking Lagoon Cruise and Kia Orana Cruise to the more relaxing and appropriate Polynesian-style boat of The Vaka Cruise. Either way, you’ll enjoy a day hopping from one uninhabited islet to the other, snorkelling among tropical fish, giant clams and coral, and indulging in an island lunch. Find out more about what makes each cruise unique in the 10 Best Lagoon Cruises on Aitutaki.

Option 2: Private Charter

Make your experience of the Aitutaki Lagoon more intimate with one of the private lagoon charters. Platinum Cruising offers the most luxurious boat for your journey to the infamous One Foot Island, while Black Pearl Charters provides eco-centric private snorkelling tours. Alternatively, we highly recommend Kutekute Tours & Transfers‘ private sunset charter with island-hopping, snorkelling, a hammock float and a sunset picnic on an uninhabited island.

Find out more about the best cruises for couples in the 10 Most Romantic Things to Do on Aitutaki for Couples and 5 Best Luxury Experiences on Aitutaki.

Dining Recommendations

If you’re joining a lagoon cruise today then a substantial lunch is included, while the private charter with Kutekute will sort you out for dinner. Therefore, if you need a bite to eat for lunch, head to Ootu Beach where you’ll find the Koru Cafe and its unmissable “Mega Mezze” sharing platter. If you need dinner plans, on the other hand, take Koru Cafe up on the offer of a “BBQ Pack” delivered to your accommodation so you can spruce up your own Aitutaki barbie!

Find out more about Koru Cafe in The Best Places to Eat on Aitutaki: 10 Best Restaurants on Aitutaki.

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Day 3 – Explore Aitutaki

There’s much to explore on the main island of Aitutaki, so either rent a car or, more endearingly, rent a scooter and take a road trip around Aitutaki’s quiet and scenic roads. Rental vehicles can be delivered to your accommodation. If you’re riding a scooter, don’t forget to pick up a visitor’s license from the Arutanga Police Station.

Self-Drive Tour of Aitutaki

Once you’re behind the wheel/your arms wrapped around your hubby on a scooter, take a tiki tour around the island and stop by Maunga Pu for a hike to a scenic viewpoint and the Piraki Lookout for more gorgeous views, head to Base One beach for a snorkel, enjoy some lunch at the island’s more remote cafes and much more! Just check out A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Aitutaki for a full itinerary.

Dining Recommendations

During your tour around Aitutaki, stop at the Avatea Cafe for its charming al fresco ambience and contemporary island cuisine in a secluded spot near Tautu. Alternatively, pick up a takeaway from any one of the cheap eats on Aitutaki and take it to one of the charming picnic spots, like the Arataki Lookout in Arutanga or Vaipae Wharf. Get dining inspiration from the 9 Best Cafes & Takeaways on Aitutaki – they’ll work for dinner too!

© Alisha Street - Cook Islands Tourism

Days 4 – Relaxation in Aitutaki

Enjoy Aitutaki your preferred way, whether it’s getting back on the lagoon or taking it easy at your resort.

Option 1: His and Hers Massage

That’s right, Aitutaki also gives you the opportunity to share an experience of the senses together. The island is home to several resort spas, with both the Tiare Spa at the Pacific Resort Aitutaki and SpaPolynesia at the Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort offering treatments for couples. Compare them, as well as in-villa spa options in the 5 Best Spas in Aitutaki.

Option 2: Uninhabited Island Experience

If you can’t get enough of the lagoon, and we can’t blame you, enjoy the experience of getting marooned on an uninhabited island together by taking a water taxi to one of the islets. Spend the day snorkelling, picnicking, relaxing and exploring a stunning piece of paradise. How to get to these islands can be found in the Water Taxis in Aitutaki: How to Use, Cost & More.

Option 3: Something Else…

For more relaxation, Aitutaki’s romantic accommodations are all kitted out with watersports rentals to enjoy the lagoon at your own pace. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, however, swimming with whales in the season or scuba diving with turtles certainly make for memorable moments together. Get more inspiration for what to do during these three days on Aitutaki from the 10 Most Romantic Things to Do on Aitutaki for Couples.

Dining Recommendations

Your time in Aitutaki should certainly include a romantic private dining experience on the beach. Choose a candlelit dinner in a private pavilion on the edge of the Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort or dine under the stars on a secluded private deck at Aitutaki Escape. A private barefoot beach dinner can also be organised at Etu Moana with a dining area decorated with flowers and Pacific cuisine served at sunset.

For alternative restaurant dinners, check out The Food Guide to Aitutaki: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

© Zhang Da Qiang - Cook Islands Tourism

Day 5 – Departure

Enjoy your final lazy breakfast by the beach before checking out of your accommodation. A representative will transport you to Aitutaki Airport for your flight to Rarotonga International Airport for departure.

Remember to arrive at Rarotonga Airport a couple of hours before your scheduled departure so that you have enough time to check in, go through security and browse the duty-free. Rarotonga International Airport’s duty-free stores are worth taking a look at with locally made ‘eis (necklaces), wooden carvings, perfumes, ukuleles, coffee beans and more. Check out the 12 Best Souvenirs from Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for shopping inspiration.

And it’s “ka kite” from the Cook Islands!