Looking at heading over to Aitutaki next year, any one have any first hand experience from the place, recommended accommodation, that sort of thing.
www.southpacifickiteboarding.com/index.php
contact jimmy he is all about giving you the best kiting experience...
Aitutaki....crystal water ..constant winds
Yeah, I have spoken to Jimmy a bit, just wondering whether to go with him or just book something ourselves.
We were looking for something different in the accommodation area than what he offers but I think he is going to have more accommodation options next season
deanrobi,
Was there in 2007 after 10 days in the Cocos Islands, kited 6 days out of 7.
Stayed at Inano Beach down past the airport. Google inani beach and you'll find the web site. Inano own their own boat so they can take you to One Foot or Honeymoon Island pretty cheap.
One Foot is good but Honeymoon is owesome crystal clear flat water. I was there in the end of Aug, we had a couple of days of 20-25kts but most of the time 15-20kts.
The people are cool and very friendly, grab a scooter from the shop at the end of the airport about $100 NZD for a week.
Also as Cody was saying check out www.southpacifickiteboarding.com/index.php for more info.
Cheers,
Binajh.
I went for the cheapest accommodation as the wind is so good 10 / 13 days I was never in my room .
but plenty of top resort style rooms on island if your traveling with your partner(romantic)
Come to Aitutaki mid-next year for the Cook Islands International Kitesurfing Competition! It's an event that we're really excited about -- some of kitesurfing's top names will be competing and judging, and we'll be providing drinks, food and transport to and from the motu.
The competition will open with an exhibition event on Saturday, June 25 at Muri lagoon in Rarotonga. The real thing opens on Wednesday, June 29 at Motu Maina Iti off Aitutaki, and lasts through Saturday, July 2.
For more information, visit www.cookislandskitesurfing.com.
Don't miss out!
Had our Honeymoon at Aitutaki...
Over rated, overpriced.
Im not saying we didnt have a great time, its just we were pretty let down with it all. We stayed out at the Lagoon Resort and Spa which was ment to be amazing (thanks Catrina Roundtree).
The guys had kites in the air only twice during the ten days we were there.
Our family went to Aitutaki in June this year.
We had some serious luck with 8 days of wind, 1 without.
You can only kite inside the Lagoon, with only one spot directly accessable without a boat - off the beach from the Lagoon Resort and Spa. Boat access opens up the whole lagoon and is well worth the spend.
If you are going cheap don't bother. The Cooks is not a cheap destination and its not worth scumming it as you will not have the same experience.
One foot rocks and is well worth the trip, Honeymoon actually has a lot of coral clumps all over the place, while One Foot is just pure sand.
I will certainly be going back. The key to a good trip is making sure you take advantage of all that nice cheap booze in duty free, go with a big group and spend the money to do it right.
Just be preapred for the slightly sickening honeymoon couples !
The flight situation has changed now with direct flights to raro from oz. Much more convenient timings than going via auckland. I was at Muri lagoon this season and it is a bit tight and the wind can be much more affected by the motu (island) than you expect. Had only one good day kiting in seven days (early Aug) but was not there only for kiting. I didn't kite at Aitutaki unfortunately but we did get to One foot island and it is a top spot - I will be back for sure and while muri lagoon is great I will head straight to aitutaki for kiting.
Aitutaki is the best. Wind most consistent from July through to end of October. Rain usually at night. One Foot is a must do as you can't imagine kiting around a small (maybe 200sqm) island with a beautiful lagoon as the back drop on one side and the ocean on the other. The Lagoon itself is better than Cocos as easy to kit even at low tide. Well worth the trip. Winds are stronger than Cocos so you wont need large (14m) kite.
We went a couple years back. Had a good time but got hammered on the wind front we only got out on the kites half the time we we're there. There's tons of accom on the island to fit most budgets.
If you go the there's a fish and chip shop on the way to town - spacing the name but some of the best fish and chips I've ever had and the accom next door is we're we stayed which was pretty nice.
Hit up the pub at the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort for an arvo drink it is resort prices but if you have the double long island ice tea you only need one (I should have stopped at one!). If there's no wind they rent out paddleboards for a oo dprice which are puf when it's dead flat. When we we're there you could launch of the bottom end of the island but I don't know if that's restircted at all now.
Did one foot and out around Jimmy's great spots and you can generally do a downwinder to get home which is awsome watch out for the shallow reef spots at low tide though.
