Aitutaki Lagoon Cruise

Aitutaki's lagoon is the reason ships call here: a shallow, triangular lagoon about 12 km across, ringed by a barrier reef and dotted with sandy motu. A lagoon cruise is the only realistic way to see it on a port day. Most cruises run 5–6 hours with a barbecue lunch and stop at two or three of One Foot Island, Honeymoon Island, Maina, Akaiami and Moturakau, with snorkelling at the giant clam garden or a coral patch. Some operators leave straight from Arutanga harbour; others collect you at the wharf and sail from Ootu on the east side. Book ahead with a local operator, give them your all-aboard time and pick a trip that is back well before the last tender. On ship days the boats fill quickly and on Sundays only a couple of operators run.