Aitutaki

Although Aitutaki comes second to Rarotonga in being the visitor's favourite Cook Island, it makes up for it with natural beauty and charisma, as well as the fact there are way fewer people here - so for a get-away-from-it-all exotic escape, this is my favourite. This fabulous triangular-shaped island has a beautiful blue lagoon and is surrounded by small, vacant islands peppered with palm trees. Aitutaki is known for excellent fishing and varied marine life. Encompassed by reef, the island is great for snorkeling as well. Visit the island between June and October for the driest weather - though from November to February you can see sea turtles through Aitutaki's crystal-clear waters.