Prior to visiting recently, my only exposure to  Aitutaki Lagoon was basically Catriona Rowntree’s glowing reports on ‘Getaway’ many moons ago……

And when ‘she loved it so much she honeymooned there’ it was PR Gold for one of nature’s most stunning lagoons. So it rose to the top of the ‘most aspirational holiday’ list for many of the programs avid watchers including myself.  It looked expensive.  It looked luxurious and chic.  It oozed romance. It looked….well quite frankly …. extraordinary.

My much anticipated visit to Aitutaki Lagoon did not disappoint.

Actually it exceeded my every expectation. Under a brilliant blue sky, we sailed all day on our Te Vaka Cruise across the endless turquoise lagoon so clear you could see nothing but white sand and the odd fish meandering through it.  Never in my life have I looked to the horizon and seen such a brilliant aqua colour palette –  everywhere…every shade – as far as the eye can see.   We stopped on little islands brimming with palm trees and ringed by vibrant white sandy beaches. We swam in waters so clear and warm that I actually had to reality check myself.

The day drifted by under glorious sunshine and atop  the endless emerald lagoon.  New friends were made.  The odd glass of chilled wine was consumed.  I could have been on a luxury yacht (but wasn’t).  We could have paid $1000’s for the privilege (but didn’t).  It was extraordinary and worthy its place on my ‘Most  Aspirational Holiday Experience’ list.

The Facts:

• A trip to Aitutaki Lagoon can be done either as a day excursion ex Rarotonga or you can choose to stay up there for a couple of days
• There are a number of fabulous places to stay in Aitutaki to suit all budgets. It is definitely NOT as expensive as it feels!
• There are a couple of cruise operators who operate on the Lagoon. We did the Te Vaka Lagoon Day Cruise at a cost of A$122 per adult/A$60 per child aged 2 – 12 years which includes transfers to/from the airport.  It operates daily Mon – Sat (weather permitting) year round excluding Easter Sunday and Christmas day.Contact Island Escapes for bookings

Aitutaki Lagoon Resort– Escape Artist Approved.