The Guide to Kitesurfing in Rarotonga, Aitutaki & the Cook Islands

Aitutaki is not only considered the best place for kitesurfing in the Cook Islands but also one of the best in the world. One hotspot, in particular, is Honeymoon Island (Tavake) with its long sandbar surrounded by waist-deep water unobstructed from passing trade winds.

Not only is Honeymoon Island a safe environment to learn how to kiteboard, but regular water taxis to the island and a couple of kite centres set up on the island during the kiteboarding season mean that even seasoned riders can enjoy effortless excursions to the island.

Kiteboarding Schools in Aitutaki

There are two highly regarded kiteboarding schools in Aitutaki taking advantage of the favourable conditions of Honeymoon Island, which provides plenty of space for not only learning kiteboarding but for progression. Starting with Wet & Wild, the crew offer two-hour, six-hour and eight-hour private lesson packages with one instructor per one or two people.

The packages include water taxis, a safety boat, all kite gear and a personal instructor. Private kite lessons with your own gear are also available.

South Pacific Kiteboarding (or Kiteboarding Aitutaki) offers lessons under the IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation) format, with IKO levels 1, 2 and 3 available. Your certified instructor offers introductory lessons to get a feel for the sport with all the transfers, kite gear and tuition included.

Otherwise, the full beginner's course (IKO levels 1 and 2) includes tuition, transfers, all kite gear and use of the kite centre and safety boat. The course usually takes three days. IKO level 3 is available and takes an additional day to complete. Wing and kite foiling lessons are also available.

Aitutaki Kite Gear Rentals

Both Wet & Wild and South Pacific Kiteboarding offer kite rentals for those who want to kiteboard independently. Usually, instructors will give you a short assessment to see if you are capable of independently kitesurfing before they will allow a full-day hire.

A variety of kites, boards, harnesses, helmets and buoyancy aids are available. Full gear rental (kite, bar and lines, board, harness and pump) is approximately NZ$150 a day.

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Honeymoon Island Transfers

Honeymoon Island is approximately a 20-minute boat ride from the main island of Aitutaki. Transfers with South Pacific Kiteboarding are approximately NZ$40 per person year-round, while Wet & Wild charges NZ$35 between June and October and NZ$70 outside of the kiteboarding season.

Note that there is typically just one transfer to the island and back per company per day, so take all you need to the island for the whole day, including a hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, reef shoes, camera, water and snacks or food (unless you're buying food on the island at the kite centres).

Kitesurf Centres on Honeymoon Island

Aitutaki's kiteboarding operators each have a kite centre on Honeymoon Island. They operate during the kite season with regular water taxis, storage for kiters, a safety boat and a shelter with barbecue food and drinks for sale and music.

Manureva Aquafest

Yes, the kitesurfing is so good in Aitutaki that it even hosts its own kiteboarding festival every August. The five-day competition for kitesurfing, oe vaka (outrigger canoeing), SUP and swimming can be enjoyed from Ootu Beach and Honeymoon Island where there are also traditional food and crafts at the Manureva Night Market and a closing ceremony with captivating fire dancing.

Check out more epic events in the 10 Biggest Festivals in the Cook Islands.

Ready to go to Aitutaki? Plan your trip using The Complete Travel Guide to Aitutaki.

The Muri Lagoon is the place to kiteboard on Rarotonga, where kite gear rentals and lessons are available all year round. There's public access to the beach where it is shallow enough to walk away from shore, while there's plenty of space for new and experienced kiters.

What's more, the lagoon on the southeast coast is perfectly situated to catch the prevailing southeast winds.

Kiteboarding Schools on Rarotonga

The most established kiteboarding school on Rarotonga, KiteSUP is based on Muri Beach. They offer one-on-one tuition as well as group lessons, catering to all levels from total beginners through to those looking to progress their skills.

KiteSUP's introductory lesson covers spot assessment, gear set-up, safety systems and basic flying skills. If you decide kiteboarding is definitely the sport for you, the six-hour beginner package will get you progressing safely and quickly over three days, with two hours of tuition per day. There's also a private progression lesson for those with some experience, and a group lesson option for two to four people.

Lessons run at 9 am, 12 pm and 2:30 pm, so there's plenty of flexibility to fit a session around the rest of your day.

Rarotonga Kite Gear Rentals

Kiteboarding and wing gear is available to hire with KiteSUP for use on the Muri Lagoon only. They carry a range of equipment from Ozone, ASP and Dakine, with the best kit for the conditions chosen by KiteSUP on the day.

Before you head out, an assessment is required. Your instructor will watch for around 20 minutes at the start of your hire to ensure you can rig the gear correctly, self-launch and ride upwind, stepping in to assist if needed. Once you've passed, standard rental rates apply.

After your assessment, your instructor will point out the best spot to ride independently, or give you the option to upgrade to a private lesson if you'd like a bit more guidance.

Kiteboarding is not the only way to harness the elements in Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Because of the favourable kiting conditions of the lagoons, it is also possible to take wing (winging) lessons with South Pacific Kiteboarding in Aitutaki or with KiteSUP on Rarotonga.

In Aitutaki also, South Pacific Kiteboarding offer kite foiling lessons and gear hire.

Windsurfing is also available in Aitutaki with Tavai Inventure Tours, who offers windsurfing hire from Ootu Beach. Find out more in our guide, Windsurfing in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: The Top 10 Places to Windsurf.

For more watersports, check out the 10 Best Water Activities in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.