A LITTLE PARADISE
Dates: 9th – 17th September, 2021
Cost: AUD$3,960
Rods: 6
Available: 2
Inclusions: Seven night’s bungalow accommodation (twin-share) in Aitutaki including continental breakfast daily, packed lunch, 5 days guided and one-day self-guided fly fishing (twin-share), return airport transfers, kayak use, return charter flight from Rarotonga to Aitutaki, one night Auckland (twin-share) outbound, pre-trip guide and hosted guidance throughout.
Exclusions: International flights, evening meals, and beverages, fishing license (NSD$50), gratuities, items of a personal nature, Fly gear, and tackle.
Home to the big Bonefish and Giant Trevally Aitutaki is famous for, throw in a tropical lagoon setting that is renowned as being one of the most picturesque in the world, including top-class guides and specialist flats boats and you have the making of a great Fly Fishing holiday destination.
Aitutaki is most famous for its magnificent coral lagoon, a highlight of any visit to the Cook Islands, and undoubtedly one of the most memorable sights in the South Pacific. Flying over the island from Rarotonga is an unforgettable experience; the vast lagoon spreads out below in a shining disc of jade-greens, turquoises, and indigo blues, studded with 15 tiny islets and bright banks of coral just beneath the ocean’s surface.
Six days fly fishing on one of the best coral atolls in the world, with genuine chances at landing double figure Bonefish and big Giant Trevally, Aitutaki is a fantastic fly fishing destination.
Commencing in Melbourne, we will travel to Auckland in the evening, spending the night at an airport hotel before an early departure direct to Rarotonga the following morning. Arriving mid-afternoon with the small time-difference, we will then fly through on a short 50-minute domestic flight direct to Aitutaki the same day. This will allow time to settle into our accommodation and enjoy a group evening meal by the beach bar before discussing the next day’s fly fishing.
After breakfast at 7am, the skiffs will collect us from our beachfront location at 8am before heading to the flats and lagoon for a full day on the water. With two anglers to each skiff your guide will take you to the numerous flats and motu’s to either wade by foot, fish from the comfort of the skiff chasing Bonefish or dedicated Giant Trevally locations. Some inshore reef fishing is available, while Bluewater day trips can also be arranged to suit the groups preferences.
We will be partnering with E2’s Bonefish way, who we have been dealing with for years and are the premier guiding service on Aitutaki, with a great guide team. Accommodation is based at the Aitutaki Village in twin share bungalows, with great facilities and arguably the best beach location on Aitutaki with wade-able flats directly out the front.
Schedule
Day 0: Late afternoon departure to Auckland, New Zealand. Check-in to the Hotel, overnight before morning departure.
Day 1: Depart morning direct to Rarotonga, before the short domestic flight to Aitutaki. We will be met at the airport before transferring to the accommodation, settling in, and enjoying the evening group dinner by the beach.
Days 2 – 3: Continental breakfast from 0700 is served, and skiffs depart from the flats at 0800am. The journey to the flats takes between ten and twenty minutes in the lagoon depending on the wind direction. Lunch is generally had daily at One Foot Island, where you can swim/snorkel and see the resident Giant Trevally close-up. Returning to our beach bungalows at around 4pm daily, for pre-dinner drinks and evening meal.
Day 4: Sunday – local Sabbath day. Leisure day to explore Aitutaki on Mopeds, relax, visit local markets, cafes, resorts or bars or DIY fly fishing form the kayaks and flats accessible from our beach.
Days 5-7: Continental breakfast from 0700 is served, and skiffs depart from the flats at 0800am. The journey to the flats takes between ten and twenty minutes in the lagoon depending on the wind direction. Lunch is generally had daily at One Foot Island, where you can swim/snorkel and see the resident Giant Trevally close-up. Returning to our beach bungalows at around 4 pm daily, for pre-dinner drinks and evening meal.
Day 8: Depart in the morning to Rarotonga before the direct flight to Sydney and onto Melbourne or Brisbane.
Located on arguably Aitutaki’s most picturesque swimming beach the Aitutaki Village offers twelve spacious stand-alone bungalows set in landscaped tropical gardens, managed by staff who provide an exceptional personalised service and Island experience.
The bungalows are set back about 50 meters from the beachfront and form two lines facing into a tropical garden with bungalows slightly angled for privacy from one another. Each bungalow has a private veranda in front and leads into an open plan living area with high ceilings.
The bungalows at Aitutaki Village feature either king-size beds or twin beds (family bungalows are also available with a bunk bed). Each bungalow is fully air-conditioned and has louver style windows (with insect screen) and ceiling fans for those preferring a more natural ambiance, along with tea and coffee facilities, refrigerators, Wi-Fi access (purchase from reception), iPod docking stations, clock radios, hair-dryers, en-suite bathrooms, and private decks.
Services include 24-hour on-site management and daily housekeeping. Situated on the secluded Ooto beachfront, there is a range of non-angling activities on offer which are perfect for couples and families. Relax in a sun lounger overlooking the motu, have a massage on the beach, go for a swim, or explore the lagoon via kayaks and stand-up paddleboards which are available at the Aitutaki Village.
Fly Odyssey has teamed up with Itu and Kaleena Davey, his family, and a team of guides for many years.
Catering for up-to 6 fly-anglers or couples (2 per boat), you will chase Bonefish, Giant, and Bluefin Trevally while being guided by the best eyes on the Island. Non-anglers can also head out for the day with a range of Island beaches to spend time at including the famous one-foot Island where you will have lunch daily and can hand feed and swim with huge Giant Trevally.
With around 50km2 of waters to explore, the small islands fringing the lagoon boast extensive sand and coral rubble flats providing an ideal habitat to Polaroid cruising fish. Weather permitting, you will also have the opportunity to head out wide and chase Tuna, Mahi Mahi and fish the offshore reefs.
With collection from your accommodation each morning, the weekly fishing schedule can be tailored to suit, and generally involves a mixture of wading the flats on foot as well as from the skiff on the deeper drop-offs. Bonefish typically range from 4-8lb’s on the flats with good numbers of larger fish also while GT’s to 40kg’s are not uncommon.
Non-anglers or partners can also experience fishing for bonefish and trevally by drifting the “milk” throughout the deeper section of the lagoon on sinking lines for schooled bonefish. While not classical Fly Fishing it is still guaranteed fun and a great opportunity to land a double-figure fish.
If you specifically want to target Giant Trevally, then this can also be tailored for you during the week, again to maximise your experience on Aitutaki.
Sunday is a family day on the Island which will give you a day to relax and unwind, with a number of Island attractions to visit including the Maunga Pu Summit, markets, various day spa’s or if you wish to keep fishing we can recommend a number of self-guided flats and areas to target.
As per all Fly Odyssey bookings, will provide a comprehensive & detailed pre-trip fly fishing guide, prior to your departure.
“Susan and I are back from our recent trip to Aitutaki. It was our first trip there and wow, what a fishery, it was hands down the best saltwater Fly fishing trip I’ve ever had. The second day I had a brilliant time out in the lagoon with six bonefish landed between 6-9lb’s on the flats, with the same fly accounting for all of them!”
Peter Quigley
“The sight fishing was intense and exciting – hunting of an old school kind. Just when you were convinced the guide was pointing at random patches of water you would glimpse a shade of movement underneath the ripple, the heart rate leapt and the casting skills diminished at the same rate! The guides were knowledgeable, worked hard and were great company. They knew where the fish were at all times and many thanks to Ben for putting us onto some impressive GT’s!”
Richard Newton
“Each day I improved, and I did start to connect with fish from Day 2 onwards, including some real crackers up to around 8-10lb’s. Even the smallest fish landed were bigger than any I’d caught previously at CXI, and some nice Trevally. On the way home we spent several days in Rarotonga and New Zealand to “unwind” which was a great way to end the trip. A big thanks to James at Fly Odyssey Australia for organising this trip for us!”.
Kia Orana and happy fishing!
Ray Slater
Creating and sharing memorable travel experiences with our clients and friends provides us with genuine satisfaction. All of our trips are bespoke, tailored to your needs and we always love hearing all about the adventure on your return.
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