Sightseeing on Aitutaki: Top 10 Sights on Aitutaki

Last Updated: 9 June, 2025

Scenic, Historic and Cultural Sights on Aitutaki

Exploring is all part of the joys of travelling and it’s no different on the island of Aitutaki. From scenic mainland sights, such as lookouts and impressive churches, to photo-worthy islands and historical sites out on the Aitutaki Lagoon, there is certainly a mix of noteworthy sights on Aitutaki. Add some spots to your itinerary with this list of the best places for sightseeing on Aitutaki.

For more Aitutaki advice, head over to the 20 Best Things to Do on Aitutaki and find a place to stay in Where to Stay on Aitutaki: The Best Aitutaki Accommodations.

1. One Foot Island (Tapuaetai)

Easily the most famous island on the Aitutaki Lagoon, One Foot Island – its Moari name Tapuaetai – is a popular stop for lagoon cruises. Many cruises stop here for a barbecue lunch, leaving you plenty of time to explore the sights. A highlight is the post office where you can get your passport stamped and pick up other souvenirs.

See more sights like this in The 10 Most Famous Places in the Cook Islands.

Accessible with Bishop’s Cruises, Teking Lagoon Cruises, Kia Orana Cruise, The Vaka Cruise and Platinum Cruising. Find out more in the 10 Best Lagoon Cruises on Aitutaki.

Location: Southeast side of the Aitutaki Lagoon.

Sightseeing on Aitutaki: Top 10 Sights on Aitutaki

2. The Sandbank

Just in front of One Foot Island is another hotspot for lagoon cruises, aptly known as “The Sandbank“. This stunning little sight offers pure white sand surrounded by azure waters. It’s an excellent place for a paddle and to get some stunning lagoon shots. We also list it in our 10 Best Photography Spots.

Accessible with Bishop’s Cruises, Teking Lagoon Cruises, Kia Orana Cruise, Kutekute Tours & Transfers and Tavai Inventure Tours. Find out more in the 10 Best Lagoon Cruises on Aitutaki.

Location: Southeast side of the Aitutaki Lagoon.

3. Maunga Pu

The tallest peak on Aitutaki, at 124 m (135.6 yards), Maunga Pu is a sight to be admired from below and from its summit. Impossible to miss with a cellphone tower sticking out of its head, the mountain can be fully hiked up or partially by driving up the first section on a narrow tar-sealed road.

Either way, the summit offers outstanding panoramic views across the island and out to the lagoon’s motu (islands). Find out more about the walk in the 5 Best Walks on Aitutaki.

Location: West coast of Aitutaki between Paradise Cove and Tai Marino. Park on the abandoned lot opposite the Maunga Pu sign or at the crossroads up the trail where the tar-sealed road meets the grassy road.

4. Ootu Beach

Looking out to the lagoon’s eastern motu, Ootu Beach is a picturesque sight on Aitutaki. Relax on the loungers lining the coconut palm-fringed beach and swim in the shallow lagoon waters where you can reach a sandbank jutting from Akitua (the island of the Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort).

There’s good snorkelling around the wharf here, while there are also plenty of spots to grab a cocktail or a bite to eat. See the 5 Best Bars in Aitutaki and 9 Best Cafes & Takeaways on Aitutaki for recommendations.

Location: Ootu Peninsula. The southern end of the peninsula, past the end of the new airport runway.

5. Honeymoon Island

A hotspot for kiteboarding in the season and one of the better-known lagoon motu, Honeymoon Island offers incredible sightseeing on Aitutaki with its vast sandy beach and knee-deep surrounding waters. Keep an eye out for turtles and enjoy amazing snorkelling spots among coral near here, as outlined in The Best Snorkelling in Aitutaki: Top 10 Places to Snorkel.

Accessible with Teking Lagoon Cruises and Kia Orana Cruise. Water taxis and charters are also available with Black Pearl Charters and Wet & Wild. Find out more in the 10 Best Snorkelling Tours in Aitutaki.

Location: Western side of the Aitutaki Lagoon.

6. Akaiami

A piece of history on the Aitutaki Lagoon, Akaiami is a private island that was once the stop of the glamorous Coral Route.

The remains of the old wharf where passengers would depart from the boat planes onto the island still remain, while those looking for a real adventure can stay the night at the secluded accommodation here, Akaiami Paradise. Learn more about the history of the site here in the 10 Best Historical Sites on Aitutaki.

Accessible with The Vaka Cruise and Kutekute Tours & Transfers. Water taxis can also be arranged with Akaiami Paradise.

Location: Eastern side of the lagoon.

7. CICC Church Arutanga

One of the most impressive buildings on Aitutaki, the CICC Church in Arutanga is not to be missed. Either visit as part of a Sunday church service to admire the interiors and light displays from the stained-glass windows or get a photo from the Aretuki Lookout on the hill behind it.

Learn more about the church experience in the 10 Best Churches in the Cook Islands to Experience as a Visitor.

Location: On the main road at the southern end of Arutanga.

8. Moturakau

One of the smaller motu, Moturakau, is also a lesser-visited island on the lagoon, creating a blissful ambience. The island is one of the few volcanic islands in the lagoon, characterised by black rock formations and rock pools to explore.

The birdlife here is vibrant, while a short walking trail through the bush is another way to soak up the natural beauty of this island. Moturakau has also been used in the filming of TV shows.

Accessible with Kia Orana Cruise and Kutekute Tours & Transfers. Learn more about taking water taxis to Aitutaki’s islands in our Aitutaki Transport Guide.

Location: Southeastern side of the Aitutaki Lagoon.

9. Piraki Lookout

Another scenic spot that doesn’t require hiking or a boat ride to admire, the Piraki Lookout offers some amazing views across Aitutaki and out to the surrounding motu. It’s the second-highest point on the island and typically offers a very peaceful setting, complete with a picnic table, water tanks, and the occasional goat to keep you company.

Location: Well signposted from both the east and west side of Aitutaki. From the west side, turn inland between the Heineken Store and the Aquila Petrol Station then turn left at the crossroads.

10. Tautu Silo 1 Church Site

Other than tropical forest and crabs skittering across the dirt road, there’s seemingly not much to see at the southern tip of Aitutaki’s main island. That’s with the exception of a historical and holy site of the Silo 1 church that was built in an isolated spot in 1889.

An interpretation panel is located in a well-kept, large grassy area with a memorial to the church, allowing you to read about the history and hardships of the church’s worshippers.

Location: Southern tip of Aitutaki, alongside the dirt road between Tautu and Nikaupara.

More About Sightseeing on Aitutaki

That’s it for our list of the top 10 sights on Aitutaki but is by no means the end of all the sights available. Get more inspiration for things to see on Aitutaki with the following guides:

Finally, add more to your itinerary using the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List.

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])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - 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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