<strong>BASIC BUT GENUINE</strong>
This is a review of Mona's private charter boat on Aitutaki Lagoon. There are at least 4 companies with a small boat you can charter privately (ie, hire with a driver and guide, either 2 people or 1) to take you anywhere you want to go in the Lagoon or at their suggestion and your approval, take you to out-of-the-way places on the Lagoon which boat tours do not visit. It's not cheap at anywhere from $550 to $800 for a full day (=6hrs) on the water. The higher price will get you a fancy fast boat with comfortable seats, drinks on tap and lunch. All companies I think provide beach towels and snorkeling gear. The lower price will be more basic, and that is where Mona is at - basic but a genuine Cook Island experience in the sense that you travel as the locals do, in a slightly beat up but seaworthy aluminium runabout with plastic unanchored seats and only water to drink. Your guide, maybe Captain Dan, will be a genuine Cook Islander willing to share stories and answer your questions about anything relating to the Cook Islands. We had specific destinations in the Lagoon in mind and the boat took us there quickly but with lots of bumps like you always get in a small craft in windy conditions. We snorkeled spots the boat tour did not take us to (Purple Wall and Clam Farm) and then Capt Dan took us to a hideaway hut on a deserted island for lunch, which was basic but nice (salads plus cooked hot fish) as well as a coconut juice right out of the coconut shell. Unfortunately for us, the wind picked up and so we asked Capt Dan to take us to a swimming spot off a nice beach out of the wind. He excelled in his choice as we got to swim in the nicest spot we have ever swum in all our travels (Queensland Whitsundays, Fiji, Malaysia, Thailand). A beach with pure unadulterated white sand and crystal clear water for as far as you could see - just lovely and everyone's idea of a perfect tropical beach. Overall, you get what you pay for with the range of charterhprices. Mona's is basic but effective in letting you experience as much of the Lagoon as you wish. Capt Dan is no flash personality but a nice guy who gives you a good idea of Cook Island culture. If you want a fibreglass modern boat with cushioned seats and champagne, pay a bit more ($800 with Platinum Cruises) but see no better things than on a more economical option like Mona's. Finally, some companies offer a chartered half day cruise (3hrs) at about $300. Don't do it as you spend at least 30mins getting across to the far side of the lagoon and then 30mins back so you have only a net 2hrs to do and see stuff - not nearly enough time.