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Kitesurfing in Aitutaki: the most beautiful lagoon in the Cook Islands
Shallow turquoise water for miles, steady wind and white sandy islets. Our kitesurfing at Honeymoon Island in the Aitutaki lagoon, plus drone shots of Aitutaki and Rarotonga.
In the middle of the Pacific
The Cook Islands are a small archipelago in the South Pacific. Rarotonga is the main island, mountainous and green. Less than an hour’s flight away lies Aitutaki, with one of the most spectacular lagoons in the world: turquoise, shallow, warm water and dozens of white sandy islets called motu.
We’ve been there twice, with Gerrit and Noah, always with a kite and a drone in our luggage.
Watch more on our YouTube channel.
Honeymoon Island, a kite paradise
Our favourite spot is Honeymoon Island, near Maina in the south-west of the lagoon. Flat, shallow water, steady wind and hardly anyone around: for us one of the best kitesurfing spots we’ve ever seen.
Watch more on our YouTube channel.
Islets you shouldn’t miss
- One Foot Island (Tapuaetai): perhaps the most famous islet in the lagoon.
- Tekopua and Ootu Beach: white sand and crystal-clear water.
- Maina and Honeymoon Island: for kiting and for the silence.
Tips for kiters and travellers
- Respect the lagoon: don’t walk on coral and take all your rubbish with you.
- Watch the tides: in some areas the water gets very shallow.
- Protect your eyes: the glare on the water is intense. Polarized lenses help you see the bottom and obstacles better – more in our guide to polarized sunglasses.
- Reef-friendly sunscreen, a hat and a long-sleeved top.
From our shop
Square tortoise polarized sunglasses
- Grey polarized lenses: less glare on the water
- UV400 protection
- Walnut wood temples
Frequently asked questions
Where is Aitutaki?
In the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, less than an hour’s flight from Rarotonga.
Is Aitutaki good for kitesurfing?
Yes: the lagoon has shallow, flat water and steady wind for much of the year. Honeymoon Island, near Maina, is one of the best-known spots.
What is there to see in the Aitutaki lagoon?
One Foot Island, Tekopua, Ootu Beach, Maina and Honeymoon Island, with turquoise water and white sand.
Do you need polarized sunglasses on the water?
They help a lot: they reduce glare and let you see the bottom, obstacles and changes in depth more clearly.
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