Just north of Rarotonga, Aitutaki is the second most popular holiday destination in the Cook Islands. Renowned for its incredible central lagoon, Aitutaki features a number of pristine beaches and smaller, untouched islands known as motus. The capital and main village of Arutanga is located on the west coast of the island and features a market place and smaller inland villages which are popular tourist attractions. Surrounded by reefs, the island enjoys some of the best diving and snorkelling sites in the world with an abundance of tropical corals and colourful marine life.
Rarotonga, the Cook Island's capital and largest island, is home to the International Airport as well as a great selection of dining and shopping. Located on the north coast of Rarotonga is the main township of Avarua, surrounded by a glittering lagoon. This lagoon meets with the reef that surrounds the island in some areas where the ocean floor slopes away. On the south side of the island lies Muri Beach which is ideal for all kinds of water-based activities as the lagoon is deepest and widest here.
