AITUTAKI, COOK ISLANDS

Aitutaki is in the Southern Group of the Cook Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean. Cook Islands is a South Pacific nation that consists of 15 islands, with Tonga to the West, and Society Islands to the East. The island of Aitutaki is 18.05 square kilometers (6.97 square miles) are home to 2,200 lucky people. The beautiful marine life, colorful coral reefs, and white sand beaches are just the beginning of it's surreal beauty. Aitutaki has one of the most pristine lagoons in the world, that has countless shades of blue. I refer to it as, "The Maldives of the South Pacific".

Best Time to Visit & Climate:
Aitutaki has a tropical climate all year round. The seasons slightly differ due to the trade winds and amount of precipitation.

• Cyclone Season (summer): November through April are the warmest months, but also a lot of rain and humidity. January is the wettest month. Temperature ranges from a high of 27-29°C (80-84°F), and a lows of 21-23°C (70-73°F).
• Dry Season (winter): May through October are slightly cooler due to trade winds, but still very warm. The coolest month is September, and July is the driest. Temperature ranges from a high of 30-31°C (86-88°F), and a low of 24-25°C (75-77°F).

I traveled to Aitutaki mid-July. I had no rain, the crowds were non-existent, and the sun was hot, but its intensity was calmed down by the nice trade winds. The water temperature was a bit chilly, but it didn't stop me from exploring the amazing lagoon!

​My favorite spots around the Aitutaki Lagoon were the beautiful Heaven Sandbar, Honeymoon Island (Maina), and the incredible One Foot Island (Tapuaeti)!!! I fell in love with this magical place. It truly is one of the most stunning tropical places I have ever seen, in the South Pacific. It’s pristine, perfect lagoon brought me back to the beauty I saw while exploring the Maldives!