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Cook Islands
Rarotonga and Aitutaki
A Photo Essay
By Tony Griffitts
In October of 2010 I went exploring the inner reefs of the Cook Islands of Aitutaki and Rarotonga. All the photos were taken while snorkeling as most of the inner reef that was explored was less than 20 feet (6 meters) deep.
Both Aitutaki and Rarotonga are ringed by a barrier reef. The inner reef is accessible from the beach and is protected from the pounding open Pacific Ocean surf by a barrier reef wall. Snorkeling on the inside of the barrier reef is much like swimming inside a large aquarium. SCUBA diving is possible on the outer reef when surf conditions permit.
Surf on the outer reef crashing on the barrier reef that circles the island of Rarotonga.
If you are a butterflyfish fan, the Cook Islands are the place for you to visit. Of all the places I have been, the Cook Islands appear to have the most species of butterflyfish on the reef I have seen.
Entry from the beach requires navigating around an abundance of sea cucumber, as there is about one per square foot in some locations.
Tridacnid clams are very common on the reef. Aitutaki imported the giant clams (Tridacna gigas) and Tridacna derasa (Southern Giant Clam) from Australia's Great Barrier Reef for aquaculture production with the intent to ship the clam meet to Japanese markets. They are now a snorkeling tourist attraction. Some of the cages used for growing out the giant clams were damaged by cyclone Pat in February 2010 and now litter the sea floor.
The Cook Islands, like Hawaii have no clownfish species. No potential host anemones were found on any reefs explored.
Rarotonga Satellite View
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While exploring the reef of Rarotonga, I stayed at Rarotonga Beach Bungalows located on the Southeast side of Rarotonga. We really enjoyed our stay there, with reef access just a few steps from the bungalow.
New Zealand Air has weekly flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Rarotonga International Airport.
There is no boat traffic on the inner reef in front of the Rarotonga Beach Bungalows. It is a great place to learn how to snorkel.
A walk down the beach will lead you to a few streams that dump into the reef. Out of curiosity, we decided to explore the stream to see if there were any fish in it. To our surprise we found Liberty Mollies, a couple species of gobies, and a unidentified schooling fish that was a whitish silver.
Aitutaki Satellite View
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Tamanu Beach Resort is located at the Northwest side of Aitutaki. You can catch flights via Air Rarotonga to Aitutaki at Rarotonga International Airport.
There are many snorkeling boat trips available that can be booked from the resorts that will take you to remote parts of the inner reef as well as the many islands that make up the parts of the barrier reef that are highly recommended.
Most photographs taken at Rarotonga were near Rarotonga Beach Bungalows and at Aitutaki were near Tamanu Beach Resort.
I used an Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 camera for these underwater photos.
Abudefduf septemfasciatus (Banded Sergeant Damselfish), Rarotonga.
Abudefduf sexfasciatus (Scissortail Sergeant Damselfish), Rarotonga.
Abudefduf sexfasciatus (Scissortail Sergeant Damselfish), Aitutaki.
Abudefduf sordidus (Black-Spot Sergeant Damselfish), Rarotonga.
Acanthaster planci (Crown-of-thorns Starfish), Aitutaki.
Acanthurus achilles (Achilles Tang) are not common, but a few were spotted on the house reef of Tamanu Beach Resort. Aitutaki.
Acanthurus pyroferus (Mimic Tang), Aitutaki.
Acanthurus triostegus (Convict Tang), Aitutaki.
Amblygobius phalaena (Banded Goby), Aitutaki.
Apogon kallopterus (Iridescent Cardinalfish), Aitutaki.
Apogon novemfasciatus (Seven-stripe Cardinalfish) holding fry, Aitutaki.
Arothron hispidus (Stars and Stripes Puffer), Aitutaki.
Arothron meleagris (Guineafowl Puffer), Aitutaki.
Arothron nigropunctatus (Dog-face Puffer), Aitutaki.
Arothron stellatus (Starry Pufferfish), Rarotonga. This puffer is the largest I have ever seen, around 3 feet (1 m) in length.
Asterropteryx semipunctatus (Blue-spotted Goby), Aitutaki.
Bodianus mesothorax (Coral Hogfish), Rarotonga.
Bothus mancus (Peacock Flounder), Aitutaki. The damselfish on the near by coral head kept a close watch on this fish.
Cantherhines sandwichensis (Sandwich Filefish), Rarotonga.
Canthigaster solandri (Spotted Sharp-nose Puffer), Aitutaki.
Canthigaster solandri (Spotted Sharp-nose Puffer), Aitutaki.
Canthigaster Bennett (Bennett's Sharp-nose Puffer), Aitutaki.
Caranx melampygus (Bluefin Trevally), Rarotonga.
Centropyge flavissima (Lemonpeel Angelfish) are common on the reef and are often found in pairs, Aitutaki.
Centropyge flavissima (Lemonpeel Angelfish), Aitutaki.
Cephalopholis argus (Peacock Grouper), Aitutaki.
Cephalopholis argus (Peacock Grouper), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon auriga (Auriga Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon auriga (Auriga Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon auriga (Auriga Butterflyfish), Aitutaki..
Chaetodon bennetti (Bennett Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon bennetti (Bennett Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon citrinellus (Speckled Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon ephippium (Saddleback Butterflyfish), Rarotonga.
Chaetodon flavirostris (Dusky Butterflyfish), Rarotonga.
Chaetodon lunula (Raccoon Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon lunulatus (Oval Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon lunulatus (Juv. Oval Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon ornatissimus (Ornate Butterflyfish), Rarotonga.
Chaetodon pelewensis (Dot-and-Dash Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon quadrimaculatus (Fourspot Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon quadrimaculatus (Juv. Fourspot Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon reticulatus (Reticulated Butterflyfish), Rarotonga.
Chaetodon trifascialis (Chevron Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon trifascialis (Juv. Chevron Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon trifascialis (Chevron Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon ulietensis (Double-saddle Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon unimaculatus (Teardrop Butterflyfish), Rarotonga.
Chaetodon unimaculatus (Teardrop Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Chaetodon vagabundus (Vagabond Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Cheilinus chlorourus (Floral Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Cheilinus undulatus (Hump-head or Napoleon Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Cheilinus undulatus (Hump-head or Napoleon Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Cheilinus undulatus (Hump-head or Napoleon Wrasse), Aitutaki. This wrasse was being fed whole slices of bread from a snorkeling boat tour guide.
Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus (Five-lined Cardinalfish), Aitutaki.
Chlorurus frontalis (Tan-faced Parrotfish), Aitutaki.
Christmas Tree Worm, Aitutaki.
Chromis viridis (Green Chromis Damselfsh), Aitutaki.
Chrysiptera brownriggii (Surge Damselfsh), Aitutaki.
Chrysiptera glauca (Gray Damselfsh), Aitutaki.
Chrysiptera leucopoma (Surge Damselfsh), Aitutaki.
Coris aygula (Clown Choris Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Coris aygula (Juv. Clown Choris Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Coris aygula (Clown Choris Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Coris gaimard (Yellow-tail Coris), Rarotonga.
Corythoichthys flavofasciatus (Network Pipefish), Aitutaki.
Corythoichthys flavofasciatus (Network Pipefish), Aitutaki.
Ctenochaetus striatus (Lined Bristletooth Surgeonfish), Aitutaki.
Ctenogobiops feroculus (Sandy Shrimp-goby) and Pistol Shrimp, Aitutaki.
Ctenogobiops feroculus (Sandy Shrimp-goby) and Pistol Shrimp, Aitutaki.
Ctenogobiops feroculus (Sandy Shrimp-goby) and Pistol Shrimp, Aitutaki.
Ctenogobiops feroculus (Sandy Shrimp-goby) and Pistol Shrimp, Aitutaki.
Dascyllus aruanus (Three-stripe Damselfish), Aitutaki.
Dascyllus aruanus (Three-stripe Damselfish), Aitutaki.
Dascyllus flavicaudus (Yellow-tailed Dascyllus Damselfish), Rarotonga.
Diodon hystrix (Porcupinefish), Rarotonga.
Diodon hystrix (Porcupinefish), Rarotonga.
Epinephelus merra (Honeycomb Grouper), Aitutaki.
Epinephelus merra (Honeycomb Grouper), Aitutaki.
Eviota zonura (Zoned Pygmy-Goby), Aitutaki.
Mushroom Anemones and Feather Dusters, Aitutaki.
Fistularia commersonii (Smooth Flute-mouth), Aitutaki.
Fistularia commersonii (Smooth Flute-mouth), Aitutaki.
Forcipiger flavissimus (Longnose Butterflyfish), Rarotonga.
Forcipiger flavissimus (Longnose Butterflyfish), Aitutaki.
Gnathodentex aureolineatus (Striped Large-eye Bream), Aitutaki.
Unidentified Goby, Aitutaki.
Unidentified Goby, Aitutaki.
Unidentified Goby, Aitutaki.
Gomphosus varius (Bird Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Gomphosus varius (Bird Wrasse), Rarotonga.
Gomphosus varius (Juv. Bird Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Gomphosus varius (Bird Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Gymnothorax javanicus (Giant Moray), Aitutaki.
Gymnothorax javanicus (Giant Moray), Aitutaki.
Gymnothorax javanicus (Giant Moray), Aitutaki.
Gymnothorax javanicus (Giant Moray), Aitutaki.
Halichoeres hortulanus (Checkerboard Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Halichoeres hortulanus (Juv. Checkerboard Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Halichoeres trimaculatus (Threespot Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Halichoeres trimaculatus (Threespot Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Heniochus chrysostomus (Three-band Pennant Bannerfish), Aitutaki.
Heniochus chrysostomus (Three-band Pennant Bannerfish), Aitutaki.
Heniochus monoceros (Masked Bannerfish), Rarotonga.
Heniochus monoceros (Masked Bannerfish), Rarotonga.
Holothuria atra (Black Cucumber), Aitutaki.
Kyphosus vaigiensis (Lowfin Chub), Aitutaki.
Labroides bicolor (Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Labroides dimidiatus (Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Labroides dimidiatus (Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Labroides dimidiatus (Juv. Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse) and Labroides bicolor (Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Linckia laevigata (Blue Linckia Starfish), Aitutaki.
Linckia laevigata (Blue Linckia Starfish) in the Cook Islands are much larger than the ones found in the Philippines, or Fiji. Rarotonga.
Lutjanus fulvus (Blacktail Snapper), Aitutaki.
Monotaxis grandoculis (Juv. Hump-nose Big-eye Bream), Rarotonga.
Mulloidichthys vanicolensis (Yellow-fin Goatfish), Aitutaki.
Mushroom Anemone, Rarotonga.
Myripristis berndti (Blotcheye Soldierfish), Rarotonga.
Naso lituratus (Orange-spine Surgeronfish), Aitutaki.
Naso lituratus (Orange-spine Surgeronfish), Aitutaki.
Naso lituratus (Orange-spine Surgeronfish), Rarotonga.
Naso unicornis (Unicorn Surgeronfish), Rarotonga.
Naso unicornis (Unicorn Surgeronfish), Aitutaki.
Neoniphon sammara (Spotfin Squirrelfish), Aitutaki.
Neoniphon sammara (Spotfin Squirrelfish), Aitutaki.
Ostracion cubicus (Yellow Boxfish), Rarotonga.
Ostracion cubicus (Yellow Boxfish), Rarotonga.
Parapercis hexophthalma (Speckled Sandperch), Aitutaki.
Juvenile Parrotfish, unknown species, Aitutaki.
Parupeneus barberinus (Dash-and-dot Goatfish), Aitutaki.
Parupeneus cyclostomus (Yellow-saddle Goatfish), Aitutaki.
Parupeneus multifasciatus (Manybar Goatfish), Aitutaki.
Periophthalmus sp. (Mud-Skipper), Aitutaki.
Polyphyllia sp. (Tongue Coral), Aitutaki.
Pomacanthus imperator (Emperor Angelfish), Aitutaki.
Pomacanthus imperator (juvenile Emperor Angelfish), Rarotonga. This photo was taken in about 3 feet (1 meter) of water.
Pomacentrus pavo (Peacock Damselfish), Aitutaki.
Pomacentrus pavo (Peacock Damselfish), Aitutaki.
Pomacentrus vaiuli (Ocellate Damselfish), Aitutaki.
Pterelerotis microlepis (Pearly Dartfish), Aitutaki.
Rhinecanthus aculeatus (Picasso Triggerfish), Rarotonga.
Rhinecanthus rectangulus (Rectangular Triggerfish), Aitutaki.
Sargocentron microstoma (Fine-lined Squirrelfish), Aitutaki.
Sargocentron spiniferum (Sabre Squirrelfish), Aitutaki.
Saurida nebulosa (Clouded Lizardfish), Aitutaki.
Diadema Sea Urchin, Rarotonga.
Sea Urchin, Rarotonga.
Sea Urchin, Rarotonga.
Stegastis nigricans (Dusky Gregory Damselfish), Aitutaki.
Siganus argenteus (Scribbled Rabbitfish), Aitutaki.
Stegastis nigricans (Dusky Gregory Damselfish), Aitutaki.
Stenopus hispidus (Banded Coral Shrimp), Rarotonga.
Stichopus chloronotus (Green Sea Cucumber), Rarotonga.
Stichopus chloronotus (Green Sea Cucumber), Rarotonga.
Synanceia verrucosa (Reef Stonefish), Aitutaki.
Taenianotus triacanthus (Leaf Scorpionfish), Aitutaki.
Thalassoma hardwicke (Six-bar Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Thalassoma lutescens (Sunset Wrasse), Rarotonga.
Thalassoma lutescens (Sunset Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Thalassoma quinquevittatum (Five-stripe Wrasse), Aitutaki.
Tridacna gigas (Giant Clam), Non-Native, Aitutaki.
Tridacna gigas (Giant Clam), Non-Native, Aitutaki.
Tridacna gigas (Giant Clam), Non-Native, Aitutaki.
Tridacna derasa (Southern Giant Clam), Non-Native, Aitutaki.
Tridacna derasa (Southern Giant Clam), Non-Native, Aitutaki.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Rarotonga.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Rarotonga.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Rarotonga.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Rarotonga.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Rarotonga.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Aitutaki.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Aitutaki.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Aitutaki.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Aitutaki.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Aitutaki.
Tridacna maxima (Maxima Clam), Aitutaki.
Zanclus cornutus (Moorish idol), Aitutaki.
Zanclus cornutus (Moorish idol), Aitutaki.
Zanclus cornutus (Moorish idol), Aitutaki.
Zebrasoma scopas (Scopas Tang), Aitutaki.
Zebrasoma veliferum (Sailfin Tang), Rarotonga.
Aitutaki Sunset
Publishrd - 20140302
