Let's talk Aitutaki and mosquitos....
 

Are they really that bad? Will I be able to hang out on the beach with new husband and sip wine or will we be eaten alive? Thanks.

Aitutaki certainly has mozzies, but I don't think that they were as bad as many other tropical locations. Certainly not as bad as parts of Fiji and French Poly. Mozzies seem to get worse near dusk, and further inland. During the day, you will see few of them. At night, a little repellant and a mosquito coil will do the trick.

It depends on wind, temperature, season, rain etc. etc., we were lucky & did not get 1 bite on Aitutaki in April! Worst for me was Turtle Island, Fiji & the west coast of Mexico right after the Sept rains.

We found Aitutaki to have more mozzies than Raro. West side of the island (normally the leeward side) tended to have the most. Windward side tended to be fine.

Having said that, days were usually fine and directly on the beach was usually OK even in the evenings as they was almost always a breeze along the water (mozzies are poor flyers in a wind). You didn't have to go far inland at night for them to be present however. Bring bug spray and coils and you should be fine. The only time we were really eaten up was when we didn't wear any.

Ken

We didn't have any probs in Aitutaki. Days were better than evenings. Once the sun goes down, they come out and you should always wear repellent. I found the aerosol cans & roll-on's that are available at the stores there to be good enough. A fellow traveler we met wore repellent every minute of the day and night and even slept with it - and never was bitten. So, that's an idea.

I remember staying at the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and watching the grounds being sprayed everywhere for mosquitoes evening and morning. The morning we were to be transported to the airport the attack was horrendous. Might have something to do with a thunderstorm during the night which brought the mosquitoes out in the morning.

Hubby and I went to Aitutaki last year. I brought several citronella candles for the room and it helped a lot with the "no seeums". We had to use spray constantly. We were there in June 2003.

It was the most wonderful place ever. If you decide to take a snorkeling trip you must use Captain Fantastic. I wish I could remember his official name. Don't worry though everyone will know who he is. It's like the most insanely cheap day trip ever and includes lunch. Like $35/pp. He is seriously hilarious. He's the guy who takes you to his own "little island" called Honeymoon Island. That's where he serves the lunch. You also go to Barefoot Island and hang out. No where have I ever been where you walk between a sand bar to an island in the middle of the ocean. Such a trip!! Can't wait to return next year!!! Gonna hit up this Aitu next time as well.

With few exceptions mossies "do their thing" between dust-to-dawn just about everywhere in the world. They do not like wind and cold, so remember that (though doubt you'll find cold in the Cooks).

Yes repellent should be worn especially between dusk-to-dawn, but never ever wear it at night when you sleep. You're advised to wash this off before retiring for bed. Use sprays, coils, candles and if netting provided when in your room at night to sleep.