Snorkelling on Aitutaki: where to go and what you will see
The Aitutaki lagoon is shallow, warm and clear, which makes it forgiving snorkelling — you can see a great deal without being a strong swimmer or going far from the boat.
What is down there
Giant clams, with the vivid mantles that are the thing people remember. Reef fish in numbers. Coral gardens in the better-preserved patches. The lagoon is shallow enough that light reaches everything, so the colour is far better than at depth.
Where
The best spots are out in the lagoon rather than off the main island's shore, which means a cruise or a charter. Most lagoon cruises build in two or three snorkelling stops and carry gear. If you have a particular interest, a private charter lets you choose where and how long.
From the shore
Possible on the eastern side, and pleasant enough, but it is not what Aitutaki is known for. Judge the snorkelling from the lagoon, not from the beach.
Looking after it
- Do not stand on coral. It is alive and it is slow to recover.
- Do not touch or lift the clams.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, or a rash vest instead of sunscreen.
- Take nothing — shells, coral, sand — off the motu.
Book something on Aitutaki
Booked direct with local operators — no booking fees.