Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Island, Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Corals, Rocks, Stones, Shells
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Chop or flat water depending on which side of the sandbar you go. Clean coral sand bottom, no booties. Clam farm reserve and great snorkeling at the end of the spit.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: White coral sand. Palm trees on the main part of the island. No water supply. No shade on the sandbar, wear block and a hat.
Identified hazards: Shells
Weather specificities: A rashie for sun protection...don't forget to put it on your feet as well.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Predominant direction SE but works in any wind. Generally SE/E trades but we sailed it in a northerly! Works in most directions.
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Boat - Boat transport required, many operators on the island do day trips so you have to fit in with them.
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: Marine reserve/clam farm adjacent, it's clearly marked.
Nightlife: Island nights and mango eating contests, it's a quiet paradise, chill out!
Accommodations: None
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Island
Water type: Shallow, Flat
Water hazards: Reefs
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Flat in the huge lagoon. Deep out of the sand platform, shallow inside with mix of sand and reef rocks.
Beach type & size: Grass, Sand - Small
Infos: Really small beach, sometimes wind comes sideoffshore and launching area is behind the palms. The island is private, but you can launch kite on the southern tip and reach it with a kayak. No kitesurf is allowed inside the lagoon otherwise from other spots.
Identified hazards: Trees
Weather specificities: Good weather. The weather can change a lot during the day.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: The summer time trade winds blow stronger than in Rarotonga, locals told me that seems to be a kind of cycle with one week strong wind and then one week light (10-12 knots). I had 6 good days out of 12. 2 days 40 knots, 2 days 20 knots and 2 days 12-15. The rest like 10-12 every day.
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car, Boat - Get to the Lagoon Resort & Spa Beach on Aitutaki. Its though a private island, so when call the resort to ask permission you get told that you cannot launch from the island. But, the southern tip of the island, just sand that gets larger in low tide is used to set up and launch the kite, then you can ride. This spot can be reached easily with kayak free of charge.
Specific rules: None
Extra: Lagoon Resort is supposed to be restricted, only for clients. Anyway other kiters came to launching area and nobody said anything. Most lodges have kayaks, so you can cross the channel easily.
Nightlife: Zero, but local dances two times per week.
Accommodations: Rooms, Food
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Island
Water type: Shallow, Flat
Water hazards: Reefs, Corals
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Flat and shallow water.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Launching area on the side, the main beach is wind protected.
Identified hazards: Trees
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Good weather. The weather can change a lot during the day.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Winds are trades mainly from the SE. In winter they can be boosted by the high pressure systems and avg 18-22 kts. Summer trades are generally lighter in the 12-15 kts range. The best option for trade winds is Akaiami. The summer time trade winds blow stronger than in Rarotonga, locals told me that seems to be a kind of cycle with one week strong wind and then one week light (10-12 knots).
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Boat - Get to Aitutaki. Akaimami lodges gets you there with your booking.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Zero.
Accommodations: Rooms, Food
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Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Reefs, Corals
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Clear, warm tropical lagoon. Only 200m x 200m wide really. Flat water that can get a little rough if the ocean swell makes it over the reef. Not very deep and can stand up in most places. Watch out for coral. If the wind is cross-onshore you can continue to kite around the reef for about 1/3 of the island (going South).
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Tricky launch, very thin beach, 2-5 m in some places. Nice white sand. Need to stand in water for the safest launch. Coconut palms and buildings right up to waters edge. Not for a beginner.
Identified hazards: Trees, Concrete
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: South Pacific tropical island. Tends to rain a lot in the hills but it's is always somewhere sunny on the island. No need for a wetsuit in winter but take a blanket for night-time. T-shirt and shorts in summer.
Wind type: Thermal, Frontal, Trade
Wind specificities: Trade winds seem to be from July to September. Otherwise it gets sea breezes and occasional storms. I don't think it would be very reliable outside trade winds season.
Best months: July, August, September
Access description: by Car, Bus, Boat - This island is essentially round with only one road so you can't really miss it. Just get on a car/bus and drive straight ahead and eventually you will get there. Island is only 32 km around. Muri is on the East coast.
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Toilet, Food
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, Island, Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Big wave
Water hazards: Corals, None
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: This location is very diverse; we have seen some huge waves on the outside of the atoll, but did not kite these! At the time we visited, there were no medical facilities. You will be almost certain that you will be the only one kiting. There are quite a few pearl farms (each one built on a little coral island inside the lagoon) that you can kite too. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: .
Identified hazards: Shells
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: The windy season may run a little longer. The winds seem to be mostly easterly.
Best months: July, August, September
Access description: by Boat - To the island: Air Rarotonga or by boat. To the spot: take a bike or car around the west side of the island as far South as you can, from there its a 500 m walk to the sand strip from where to launch.
Specific rules: Time
Extra: No kiting on Sunday (Church day). Bring drinking water!
Nightlife: None.
Accommodations: None
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Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Swimmers, Reefs, Corals, Shells
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Lots of coral heads inside the lagoon, so not really good for learning new tricks but perfect for a scenic ride.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Identified hazards: Shells, Trees
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: If you come from Europe shorts are ok all year round, if your used to warm water you may use a shorty.
Wind type: Frontal, Trade
Best months: June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car, Bus - The spot is right on the ring road that goes all around the island. Bus stop near by.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Rarotonga has some island style bars in the main town. Best nights Wednesday and Friday.
Accommodations: Rooms, Shower, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Island
Water type: Shallow, Flat
Water hazards: Reefs
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Flat and shallow water.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Medium sized beach with white sand.
Identified hazards: Trees
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Good weather. The weather can change a lot during the day.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: More opened than Lagoon Resort, better wind. Winds are trades mainly from the SE. In winter they can be boosted by the high pressure systems and avg 18-22 kts. Summer trades are generally lighter in the 12-15 kts range. The best option for trade winds is Akaiami. The summer time trade winds blow stronger than in Rarotonga, locals told me that seems to be a kind of cycle with one week strong wind and then one week light (10-12 knots).
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Boat - Get to Aitutaki and from here with a boat to the One Foot Island.
Specific rules: None
Extra: Far from the main island, have to get by boat. Daily lagoon cruise.
Nightlife: Zero.
Accommodations: Rooms, Food
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