Tapuaetai One Foot Island Cook Islands

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One Foot Island, which is locally more known in Cook Islands Maori language as Tapuaetai, is one named as the most popular Aitutaki lagoon, the tourist cruise destination. It is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands.

Tapuaetai or One Foot Island is located in the south east corner of the Aitutaki lagoon, between motu Tekopua on the northern side of the channel near One Foot Island and Motukitiu, the most south east islet with its area bird nesting ground.

Tapuaetai or One Foot Island is often said to be the most important attraction. The place is regarded as providing the visitor with the best views of the Aitutaki lagoon and, depending on the tide, one is able to walk on the sandback the decent away from Tapuaetai. In fact, the trip to this island is the most frequented trip available on Aitutaki. In June 2008, Tapuaetai or One Foot Island was awarded “Australasia’s Leading Beach” at the World Awards held in Sydney.


At the low tide, it is not that hard to wade from Tapuaetai or One Foot Island to the cay or the vast white sand bar to the west of Tapuaetai or One Foot Island. You can bring your camera if you want to look back photo of Tapuaetai or One Foot Island. You can also photograph the coconut palm tress leaning out from the white sandy beach, over the crystal clear water of the channel between Tapuaetai or One Foot Island and Tokepua. For those who want to know, the channel is about 30 meters wide and about 4 meters deep. You are recommended to check the current before trying to swim to motu Tekopua, the name of the longest of the Aitutaki motus. For those who love enjoying the sea view, there is the coral and fist to see while snorkelling loser to the Pacific Ocean edge of the barrier reef at the eastern end of the channel.

How much does it cost to get to Tapuaetai or One Foot Island? The price of the lagoon cruise to the island from the Aitutaki mainland varies depending on where on Aitutaki cruise boats depart from, how many motus you stop at before and after getting to Tapuaetai or One Foot Island, if lunched is included, if hotel transfers are included, private charter, group charter, or general fare price to Tapuaetai or One Foot Island.

Who takes the tourists to Tapuaetai or One Foot Island? There are some licensed Aitutakian with a boat that can take you to Tapuaetai or One Foot Island. Apparently, some Aitutaki accomodation properties have their own boat to take tourists to Tapuaetai or One Foot Island while some have a tour desk which is the agent for the Aitutaki lagoon cruise to Tapuaetai or One Foot Island. Please do some browsing if you have a plan to visit Tapuaetai or One Foot Island. Make the best plan so everything would turn out well.

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