Welcome to Tai Marino
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Tai Marino Beach Bungalows
Kia Orana, welcome to Tai Marino where we take great care in giving our guests the best Aitutaki holiday experience, complete with comfortable bungalows, private lagoon tours and rental vehicles.
Rooms
See AllBungalow 1 Bungalow 1 is a self-contained beach bungalow with all you need to enjoy a perfect escape on the island of Aitutaki. It's located on the left side of the property. Amenities include: air-conditioning, kitchen, bathroom, bar fridge with freezer compartment, stove top, microwave, tea and coffee making facilities, tv with preloaded movies, phone, Wi-Fi Hotspot, outdoor shower and daybed.Bungalow 2 Bungalow 2 is a self-contained beach bungalow with all you need to enjoy a perfect escape on the island of Aitutaki. It's located on the right side of the property. Amenities include: air-conditioning, kitchen, bathroom, bar fridge with freezer compartment, stove top, microwave, tea and coffee making facilities, tv with preloaded movies, phone, Wi-Fi Hotspot, outdoor shower and daybed. This bungalow is a little bit more private and has a bit more kitchen storage for those long stays.
About Us
Read MoreWhen you stay at Tai Marino you can expect genuine care and great service. The bungalows are set in a great location are private and self-contained. You'll also have access to our private lagoon cruise, a great way to see Aitutaki's world-famous lagoon.
AMENITIES
Each bungalow features a balcony with daybed, outdoor dining and sea views. Inside you'll find a seating area, a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi hotspot, phone and private bathroom with shower, clothes iron, toiletries and hair dryer. The fully furnished kitchen features a bar fridge with a small freezer compartment, microwave, gas stove, electric kettle, coffee plunger and toaster along with all the pots, pans and utensils for any kind of dining. Each bungalow has bed linens, towels and beach towels.
PRIVATE LAGOON CRUISE
Beat the crowds and take Tai Marino's private cruise around Aitutaki's world-famous lagoon! Enjoy a 4-5 hour trip exploring several of the uninhabited islands (or motus) in the lagoon including the beautiful One Foot Island. Snorkel through the One-Foot Island channel and at different spots where you'll see giant clams, tropical fish and hopefully some of our resident turtles and spotted eagle rays. You'll even get to feed and swim with the Giant Trevally and Napoleon Wrasse. Learn about the different wildlife that call Aitutaki home and about the miraculous coconut tree. Finally, get a unique souvenir by getting your passports stamped as proof of your arrival on One-Foot and Honeymoon Island. A light lunch, drinks, snorkel gear and transfers are included. Add this extra on the check-out page when you book your stay at Tai Marino
SWIMMING
The area is well-known for its deep swimming channel, one of the few spots on the island where it is deep enough to swim even during low tide. Located on the Western side of the island, the beach and lagoon are a great place to snorkel and kayak. Each bungalow has a dedicated double-seated kayak and access to masks and snorkels.
HIKING
Besides the amazing sea views, the highest peak, Maunga Pu, can also be seen from the bungalows. The hiking trail to Maunga Pu and Piraki lookout start 50 meters from Tai Marino's entrance and are highly recommended for their views of the Aitutaki lagoon and sunset.
GETTING AROUND
Airport transfers are included the airport itself is only a 3 min drive. Affordable rental vehicles can be easily arranged and delivered to your doorstep, stress-free. The closest eatery, Aunty Odee'z, is a 2 min walk along the beach, the nearest petrol station 2 min drive and the nearest grocery store, Tina & Co 24/7 only 4 min drive. The local township is an 8 min drive as well as the Aitutaki Market and Arutanga Wharf from which the private lagoon cruise departs.
HOST INTERACTION
We are your hosts, Marokii and Vaea, a husband and wife team, taking great care to make sure you enjoy your holiday in comfort and ease. We will greet you at the airport with our fragrant traditional flower eis and personally escort you to your bungalow where you'll be briefed and then taken for a quick tour of the town and nearby places of interest. We will check in on you throughout your stay, eager to chat and interact but also respectful of your time and privacy. We endeavour to answer any question, give good recommendations and share local tips so you can make the best of your Aitutaki holiday.
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Attractions
See AllMaunga Pu Hike up to Aitutaki's highest point at 124m and take in the beautiful ocean views.Base One Public Beach A popular snorkeling spot and picnic area at the end of the old Aitutaki Airport Runway.Aitutaki Golf Club Play a game of golf and hang with the locals especially on Thursdays and Saturdays.Ootu Beach A public beach with stunning views of the little islands (motus) in the lagoon. Spend the day swimming here and visit the nearby cafe and restaurants.Banyan Tree Arch These picturesque banyan trees form a beautiful arch over the road which has become the border between the villages of Vaipae and Tautu and not to mention, a great photo opportunity.The Swimming Channel The swimming channel is a popular spot for swimming as most of Aitutaki's beaches are surrounded by shallow waters. Dug out to develop the roads many years ago, the swimming channel is now about 2m deep during low tide, the perfect place to chill out on a hot day.Tautu Wharf Lookout These man-made causeways are now a great place to visit for views of the surrounding little islands (motus) in the lagoon or to watch the local fishing boats come in after a long day.Piraki Lookout Piraki Lookout is a popular spot to get great views of Aitutaki's Lagoon. The lookout can be hiked to from the Maunga Pu trail. But if you don't feel like walking, you can drive to Piraki Lookout using the gravel road after Aquila Petrol Station.Taro Plantations Take a break from the sea views and enjoy what the land has to offer. These beautiful taro plantations are shared amongst many families so be careful and considerate when viewing them.Aretuki Lookout Point A great lookout point with views of Arutanga Harbour and the Cook Islands oldest church.Aitutaki Indoor Market Visit Aitutaki's indoor market for fresh fruit, vegetables and ready-to-go meals. Opening hours are from 6am-12pm (or until sold out) from Monday-Saturday. But be quick, most things sell out by 7:30am, especially on Saturdays when fish is barbequed on site.Taravao Beach The Southernmost point of Aitutaki with great views of the little islands (motus) in the lagoon. Drive slowly and you'll get to see Aitutaki's famous mud crabs come out of their holes. Do take care driving here especially during rainy weather.Arutanga CICC Church The Arutanga CICC Church is Aitutaki's oldest limestone church built in 1823 after the arrival of Christianity. Many visitors enjoy the unique singing on Sunday mornings.Tapuaetai (One Foot Island) Tapuaetai, or One Foot Island, is probably the Cook Islands' most popular attraction... and for good reasons! This breathtaking island is a must-see but only accessible by boat. Take our private lagoon cruise which visits One Foot Island and many other popular spots in the lagoon.Aunty Odee'z Aunty Odee'z is a popular takeaway only a 2 min walk along the beach from Tai Marino. Most guests enjoy the fresh fish and chips or ika mata (rawfish dish). Aunty Odee'z is also the only eatery that serves Aitutaki's famous mud crabs, so give it a try!Blue Lagoon Restaurant & Bar Blue Lagoon has a unique location, Aitutaki's only restaurant that sits right on the beach. It's an ideal location for a cold beer, great lagoon views and a platter of fresh sashimi or tasty curry.Avatea Cafe We highly recommend Avatea Cafe, the most popular cafe on the island. Chef Karin and her amazing team try their best to put together a fresh and surprising menu based on popular dishes with a local twist and seasonal fruit & vegetables. Their fish tacos, green curry and island mac burgers are popular choices. They also serve their own summer ale on tap and an assortment of tasty smoothies.Rape Bay Restaurant Pacific Resort Stunning views and excellent service! Rapae Bay Restaurant is the place to go for a very special occasion. If dinner is too pricey, try their breakfast service which is among the cheapest available on the island. In winter you can get views of the humpback whales from the elevated restaurant. Their beach bar is great too, their happy hour is from 4-5pm.Koru Cafe Koru Cafe bakes their own breads and pastries onsite and makes beautiful meals using their own free-range eggs and other home-grown produce. They have an all-day breakfast menu and are open Tues-Sun. This makes them one of the only cafes (besides Resort restaurants) to open on Sundays.Tauono's Market - Sonja's Visit Sonja at Tauono Market, and browse through a small collection of home-grown organic produce from her home. Sonja has spent many years gardening, cooking and creating several dishes inspired by local produce. She and her husband created a beautiful cookbook together (available at Avatea Cafe) and once ran Tauono Cafe. Since his passing, Sonja cooks small takeaway meals from her home including coconut bread and vegan breadfruit lasagna.Tamanu Restaurant Tamanu Resort has the closest restaurant to Tai Marino. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Mon-Sun. They also host an island style buffet and show on Wednesday and Saturday nights.T&S Aitutaki Meet Steph and her husband Tu, a creative and kind couple who create authentic Cook Island black pearl jewelry for every budget as well as other local craft like ukuleles. Buy a bracelet and pat a cat!... They also head the Aitutaki Animal Rescue, a charity focused on aiding Aitutaki's many furry friends while there are no Veterinarian or SPCA services on the island.Tina & Co 24/7 Tina & Co is the closest store to Tai Marino. Not only does it offer a selection of fresh local produce, ready-to-go meals, regular groceries and a liquor store, it's also 24/7! This comes in real handy on Sundays when most stores and restaurants close.Town Aitutaki's town is very small, an 8 min drive from Tai Marino. The town has Maina Traders (a small supermarket), TNM Petrol Station, Tumunu Takeaways, Vodafone Store, the Tourism Information Centre, the Aitutaki Market and banks BSP and BCI where you'll find an ATM and currency exchange.
