Aitutaki. Cook Island. Polynesia. South Pacific Ocean. A tourist walks along the edge of the palm-fringed beach in One Foot Island. One of the inhabitants of One Foot Island with his sunglasses on. Aitutaki – the hottest holiday destination in the Cook Islands For those seeking tropical paradise, the South Pacific island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands is hard to beat. Beautiful, romantic and secluded, the coral atoll of Aitutaki is famed for a vast triangular lagoon regularly voted the most idyllic in the world. Here's what to do on the island! Things to do in Aitutaki Exquisite warm wáter. Exquisitely clear water in myriad shades of luminous turquoise laps dazzling white sand beaches on a dozen lushly vegetated islets, or motus, scattered around the lagoon perimeter. Absolutely compelling, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy and explore the spectacular gin-clear warm waters, which rarely drop below 25?C. Explore the sea. Simply pad across the sand from your beachside room to swim amongst tropical fish or take a day cruise to uninhabited motus and snorkelling spots that will astound you. Giant clams and turtles, rainbow coloured parrotfish, vivid blue starfish, bright yellow angelfish, darting trevally and whitespotted eagle rays are readily spotted amongst colourful coral formations. World's smallest post office. Several cruises stop at One Foot Island, where you can get your passport stamped at the world’s smallest official post office. Other popular landings are the islands where Survivor Cook Islands and the Shipwrecked tv series’ were filmed and a gorgeous swathe of sand aptly named Honeymoon Island. Kite surfing and fishing. Sporty types are drawn to Aitutaki for fantastic kite surfing and to flyfish for the fighting bonefish. Outstanding and quickly accessible scuba diving and deep sea fishing for tuna, marlin and swordfish lies just beyond the reef. Simply relax. Others come simply to relax in tranquil beachside havens ranging from the ultra luxurious, like our Healthy Life Awards 2012 major prize sponsor Pacific Resort Aitutaki, to simple beach huts. Experience the culture. Learn the history and traditions of the proud Aitutaki people on cultural tours around the main island of Aitutaki, or hire a scooter to explore at your own pace. Mingle with the locals at church, the Saturday market or a handful of art and craft galleries creating colourful pareu (sarongs), black pearl jewellery and wood carvings. Seafood and beach bars. There are several notable places to eat, including Pacific Resort’s Rapae Bay for fine dining, Tupuna’s for prestige seafood served in a sandy floored dining room, the delicious Koru Café, and a splendid beach bar at Samade Resort. Tamanu Resort and Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa have weekly island nights demonstrating the Aitutakians’ renowned dancing and drumming talents. Enjoy the world's best. Pacific Resort Aitutaki started 2012 by being voted “World’s Leading Boutique Island Resort” for the fourth consecutive year in the World Travel Awards. Pacific Resort Aitutaki is an enclave of privacy, refinement and luxury, which seduces even the most discerning traveller. Pacific Resort Aitutaki, member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, has just 27 luxurious ‘absolute beachfront’ bungalows, suites and villas all with their own personal, panoramic view of Aitutaki’s world-famous lagoon, where every sunset majestically captures the colours of the lagoon and the ocean beyond. Air Rarotonga operates several 45-minute flights daily between the capital Rarotonga and Aitutaki and offers a One Day Aitutaki Excursion that includes transfers, airfares, a lagoon cruise, snorkelling and lunch.