Aitutaki

 island, atoll

Aitutaki

One of the 15 Islands that comprises the Cook Islands, belongs to the southern group.

Aitutaki, also traditionally known as Araura, Ararau and Utataki, is one of the Cook Islands, north of Rarotonga. It has a population of approximately 2,000. Aitutaki is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands. The capital (main village) is Arutanga (Arutunga) on the west side.

Aitutaki is an "almost atoll", located at 18°50′S, 159°45′W. It has a maximum height of approximately 123 metres with the hill known as Maunga Pu close to its northernmost point.

The barrier reef that forms the basis of Aitutaki is roughly the shape of an equilateral triangle with sides 12 kilometres in length. The southern edge of the triangle is almost totally below the surface of the ocean, and the eastern side is composed of a string of small islands (including Mangere, Akaiami, and Tekopua).

AITUTAKI - The third largest island of the southern group, according to legend, was settled by Polynesian chieftain, RU, in 900 AD. He brought with him his four wives, his four brothers and twenty Royal Virgins in order to populate the island. Many generations later, three families still dominate the island's activities to this day. Consisting of a main island with an airport and 14 motus (islets), tourism and snorkeling off the reefs are the major activities for the visitors as well as taking photos of 408-foot Mount Maungapu. Arutanga is the main settlement which is located on the eastern side of the island inside the reef.

Aitutaki has the dubious distinction of having been discovered by Captain Bligh just a couple of weeks before the famous mutiny. The first European to sight Aitutaki was the ill-fated Captain Bligh on 11 April 1789. Seventeen days later, his ship, the HMS Bounty, was seized by Fletcher Christian and fellow mutineers. Bligh and his few supporters were set adrift in a longboat and, by a remarkable feat of seamanship, survived and returned to England.

Ocean transport can access the Arutanga wharf by passing through the reef passage of the same name. 45 minute air flights to Aitutaki can be arranged from Rarotonga. Freighters from Rarotonga are far less frequent, but are regularly scheduled from the first of the year. Accommodations are available on the island including a resort hotel. Aitutaki is a favorite island for couples to marry and spend their honeymoon.

kiaorana.com/aitutaki.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Islands