Cook Islands: Aitutaki and Rarotonga Robert and Courtney Schafer November 2006 Click here to return to the main page The Cook Islands are a group of isolated little atolls located due south of Hawaii, below the equator in the south Pacific. The main island is Rarotonga (a volcanic island rather than an atoll), but we spent most of our time on Aitutaki, which is famous for its beautiful lagoon with many small islets called motus. Air New Zealand allows a free stopover at the Cooks on the way to New Zealand and Australia, which we took advantage of this time. On Aitutaki we stayed at a small but wonderful resort called Etu Moana in a beachfront villa with a spectacular view.

Click on pictures to see larger versions.

Tahiti airport terminal	Morning at Tahiti airport	Robert relaxes on the Tahiti airport couches	Re-boarding the plane to continue to Rarotonga	Arrival at Rarotonga's airport
Courtney on a beach near the Rarotonga airport	The reef is close to shore on this side of Rarotonga	First place finishers in a vaka (canoe) race on Rarotonga	Canoe teams prepare for the next race	Boarding the Air Rarotonga flight to Aitutaki
View of Aitutaki lagoon, on approach	We got a good view of Aitutaki's airport	Welcome to Aitutaki International Airport!	If only all airports greeted weary travellers with live music	Etu Moana
Our villa - Villa #3 at Etu Moana	On the grounds of Etu Moana	Etu Moana villas nestled in the lush foliage	Robert on the front porch of our villa	Interior of the villa
View from our villa	View of Aitutaki from out on a kayak	A baby giant clam surrounded by purple coral	An etu moana (blue starfish) in the wild	Colorful reef fish
Another gorgeous blue starfish	Another shot of the amazing view from our villa	Sunset view from Samade On the Beach	Island dancing at Samade's	The men show off
The girls could really shake those hips!	Robert got asked to dance!	Robert shows his stuff!	And then there was more excellent dancing.	Boat tied up on the lagoon
Aitutaki's lush greenery contrasts with turquoise lagoon water	The boat we took for our lagoon cruise with Kia Orana Cruises	Approaching our first motu (small island)	Courtney in paradise	The motus have gorgeous beaches
Motu on the lagoon	A channel separates two motus	Courtney and Robert under a wedding arch	Aitutaki's beauty is stunning	I think I want to move here
No dogs on Aitutaki, but they have beach cats!	Giant clam	Giant yellow coral was common	Coral outcrop	School of fish under coral
Delicately colored coral	Underwater Courtney	Coral surrounded by tiny colorful fish	Much of the coral is very close to the surface	Feeding the fish
Looking back at our snorkeling spot	Exiting the boat at another motu	Honeymoon Island, where we had lunch	Robert on a motu	Strolling along the coral edge of a motu
Who could ask for anything more?	Robert wades toward a sandbar	Lunch was sandwiches and lots of fresh native fruit	Robert thinks lunch is delicious!	Courtney does cartwheels on a deserted beach
Robert found a coral scepter	White sand, turquoise lagoon, blue sky	Tiny crabs eat coconut remnants	Our lunch spot on Honeymoon Island	Leaving Honeymoon Island
Yes, the lagoon water really is that electric blue in color!	Robert at Cafe Tupuna	A cruise ship anchored for a day just beyond the reef	Courtney relaxing on our villa's front porch	Robert sets out in a kayak from Etu Moana's beach
Robert kayaks toward the reef	Morning rainbow over a calm sea	Robert ready to board the flight leaving Aitutaki	We got good views of the lagoon upon takeoff	Goodbye Aitutaki!
Flying over Aitutaki's fringing outer reef	Circling over Rarotonga in preparation for landing	View from our hotel room on Rarotonga	Rarotonga scenery	Walking along the beach on Rarotonga
Sunset on Rarotonga	Aitutaki Lagoon Panorama