Just back last night from two weeks in Aitutaki, heres a couple of the memories






Me enjoying the day

pretty big swell on the outer reef

Great pics..wanna B there

Some of the tour guides have ridden the outer reef on a few occasions but reckon that its not real worth it, rides are only a few seconds worth and then it's on to the exposed reef.








Afraid its all flat water kiting

Sweet as, Auckland crew representing there i see!

How big/small were the winds?
Am flying in on Saturday. Not sure what kites to take.

take everything u can, no guarantee of wind for days on end but can also crank

Looks bliss....

Where did you stay?

I did this trip last year if you dont have a kite to suit the conditition .. jimmy is only to happy to put the right kite in your hand to get you flying.

There are two main operators that run boats out to honeymoon island and you are right it's about $50 per day if you are not on one of their tours. There are others boat operators on the island that you could hire to run you out there and with a group of five you could probaly get a cheaper deal. The problem you will have is that the main operators are the ones that have the shade structures on the island and that fifty bucks includes use of these, I can assure you that being on the island for 8 hours a day you will need some break from the sun. In particular the shade hut own by South Pacific Kite boarding is the best and has fresh water, a BBQ, table and chairs etc. When u get to the island just ask any one for the telephone no for Mike, Andrew or Deane they will know who u are talking about, give these guys a ring and you should be able to arrange something. Remeymber they will proritise getting their groups out to the island first. For our trip they would run a boat at 8,9 & 10am, the boat only takes about 8 people but if they have bigger groups they tend to hire a larger boat from one of the locals. Good luck, you will have a ball

I saw both those accommodation options that you have mentioned and they were ok, just basic but it depends on what you are after.

Those accommodation places are up the top end of the island near the air strip. Directly opposite there is the 5*Aitutaki Lagoon Resort which has a happy hour every night where you can get half price cocktails($10), a nice up market restaurant day spa etc, there is also a little cafe there called Kuru that makes the best coffee on the island. The other eating places are at the other end of the Island, 10 minutes by moped.

You can kite from the beach you mentioned buy not many do, on normal trade wind days the wind direction would make it cross/offshore. The lagoon is pretty shallow in that area and the wind can be a little fickle as it comes up and over the Palm trees.

IMO a better spot to kite in that area would be the beach in front of the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort,see photo below


To get to the resort you catch this barge type thing that dose the 30mtr crossing(you can see the distance in the below photo.



The problem you may have is that unless you are staying at the resort they may try and charge you heaps to carry you and your gear across, its normally free if you are going over there for dinner or drinks.

I think you would be better off going out to HoneyMoon for a kite.

Another option is to check the web page for Gina's cottages where I stayed as she also has some cottages on one of the islands on the outer edge of the lagoon that you can evidently kite from.

As for taking food on the aircraft, i guess you could but the hassle would put me off. You can buy yoghurt and cheese on the island from any of the little supermarkets and when you factor in the exchange rate its not that expensive

lilikite said...

Hi, beautiful photos, looks amazing....
I am off there first week of october for kiting and planning to stay at OOTu beach so that can kite directly from there. When you were there (anyone) did you kite each day from honeymoon or could you kite from OOTU beach? or opposite OOtu beach?

We kited Honeymoon, One Foot and off the sandbar and the lagoon resort. If you want to kite at the Lagoon Resort get permission first.

Also I am hesitating between two accomodations: Ranginui's retreat or Inano bungalows, if anyone has seen them, gone them/visited them, could you recommend which one is better? nicer? more friendly.... they are the same price and really close to each other....just do not know which one would be better....

We stayed at Popoara. Ranganui is on the water front but has a long drop toilet and no air con.

What is the wind like in september and early october?
Wind seems to be a bit iffy this year we only got 7 days out of 14. Bit of a gamble.

Also any recommendation for one night stay in Rarotonga? something cheap and convenient? have you heard Aremango? or the aquarius hotel next to airport....?
Aquarius is just over the road from the airport, dorm room accomodation but theres cold beers at the bar :)

Also last question, can we bring fresh food to the small plane to Aitutaki? even cheese or yogurt?

Any info would be really appreciated... many thanks
Lili, Sydney

Theres a guy called Dean will be in the Koru Cafe most mornings, he'll be able to help you, but I'm not sure if he's still around at the beginning of october. Otherwise drop South Pacific an email.

Warning - if you are planning on self catering you might find yourself living on instant noodles and coconuts. Fresh fruit and veg is really hard to find. Best place for cheap value eats is Payless. Looks dodgey but is the best feed on the island, fresh and delicious :)

Good luck

Our trip here last week, fantastic!

BEN HOWARD CLOUD NINE very nice tunes