The Top Tourist Attraction on Aitutaki is the Vaka Cruise. A full day trip that takes you to 3 Islands, including the famous One Foot Island, is the ultimate tour of “The Most Beautiful Lagoon in the World.” The Vaka Crusie is an authentic experience including live music, history of the area and homemade lunch buffet.
If you are staying in Aitutaki, you will be picked up from your hotel. AirRarotonga offers day trips to Aitutaki with the main event being the Vaka Crusie. The price varies from $125 to $495 with return flights. The boat leaves at 10am and comes back around 4pm.
After learning about the boat, its crew and plan for the day, we picked up anyone staying on Aitutaki Private Resort. 15 minutes later we arrived at the first Island and stayed for about 30 minutes.
Once part of the Coral Route, Akaiami has a decrepit runway that TEAL (Air New Zealand’s predecessor) passengers used to disembark on while the plane refueled. This inlet is absolutely gorgeous and you can even stay here!
The next Island we stopped at was Tekopua. A season of Survivor was filmed here! Again we stopped for about 30 minutes while one of the crew gave a bush walk tour.
I took the time to take some photos and hop in the crystal clear water.
Next up, snorkeling! The Vaka Cruise provides masks and fins along with some helpful tips of the coral in front of us. I saw Giant Clams and Giant Trevally, however it was really windy so I came back on the boat to soak up some sun before lunch.
Continuing on, we ate while arriving to One Foot Island. It was all you could eat with cash or card payments for beer, wine and champagne.
We had short stints at the previous Islands to have as much time on One Foot as possible. We had a little under an hour, but every minute was pure bliss.
We walked around to the West side and found a private corner to call our own. The boys swam over to a small sand bar while Hannah and I soaked up the sun while listening to the waves crashing on the nearby reef.
The Vaka Cruise even provides towels which is ideal since you will be getting in and out of the water.
Look for tropical fish and hermit crabs!
And don’t forget to take endless photos… while also living in the moment to take in all the beauty.
When returning to the boat, we heard the reason this Island is called One Foot. A father and son were out fishing from the mainland one day, when they drifted into a sacred part of the water. After catching a few fish, the father realized where they were and panicked. He paddled to this Island with the King and his warriors chasing after him. Once they docked he told his son to go into the bush and hide. The father then ran into the bush, but running over his son’s footprints. He lifted him into a tree so he could hide better, while he isolated himself to the other side of the Island. The warriors came and killed the father. After they left, the son came down and carried his fathers body, in the lagoon, back to the mainland. Seeing that he was now an orphan, the King adopted the son. The son then became King himself, and renamed the Island in memory of his father.
I wish this day didn’t have to end! The food was some of the most authentic we found in all of the Cook Islands and was super fresh. The crew were caring, funny and had lots of knowledge.
Although we went as a couples trip, the cruise is perfect for families, including babies and the elderly. There is a toilet onboard and proper seats & tables for food.
Other than the high winds, we really lucked out with the weather. It was postcard perfect and I highly recommend the Vaka Cruise!
The best part of the day was getting our passport stamped for visiting One Foot Island. After getting a new passport in late 2019 and this being my first international trip, it needs some stamps!
Our friends wave goodbye after an epic day! We then met them back at the Private Island for dinner. Overall, the Vaka Cruise was the best thing I’ve done in the Cook Islands, and one of the best tours I’ve done all over the world. If you are staying in Aitutaki, or even going to Rarotonga, try something new and do this day trip –> you won’t regret it.
TIP: Bring a waterproof camera to capture those amazing snorkeling spots… and make it disposable to add a bit of fun in remembering this outstanding day.