One of the more visited of the Cook Islands is the Aitutaki Atoll also referred to as Araura or Utataki and is found north of Rarotonga with its main capital at Arutanga. Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands is an atoll whose elevation is about 123metres, and has a land area of 18.05km2. The Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands contain various features within it such as the Maunga Pu hill, Ootu Peninsula (which is a coral formation attached to the main island), a lagoon, a triangular shaped barrier reef and a string of small islands (motus) such as Moturakau and Rapota among others. Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands is accessible through the break in its barrier reef on the western side that allows for anchorage of small boats and via daily flights and day trips.
Aitutaki Atoll, located in the Central Southern Pacific Ocean in the Cook Islands archipelago, is subdivided into 8 districts namely Amuri, Ureia, Arutanga, Reureu, Nikaupara, Vaipae, Tautu and Vaipeka that are further subdivided into 19 tapere based on tribal lineage. Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands was nominated ‘world’s most beautiful island, in June 2010 by the Lonely Planet travel guide’s founder Tony Wheeler, and is famed for its numerous uninhabited islands, beautiful beaches, old architecture such as the oldest church in the Cook Islands, massive Banyan trees and turquoise lagoon; and has been featured on several TV series such as Survivor and Shipwrecked. Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands’ greatest attraction is the One Foot Island, an islet on the lagoon which was awarded ‘Australia’s Leading Beach’ in 2008.