One Foot Island (Tapuaetai)
Tapuaetai
A small uninhabited islet at the southeast corner of Aitutaki Lagoon, ringed by white sand and clear shallows. Its little post office lets you stamp a 'One Foot Island' souvenir in your passport.
One Foot Island (Tapuaetai) lies in the southeastern part of the lagoon. It is very small, covered in coconut palms, and surrounded by extremely shallow sandy seabed and shifting sandbars, where you can see every grain of sand beneath your feet. According to legend, a father and son fleeing enemies reached the island. The father had his son walk in his footprints, so the enemies saw only one set of prints and let the boy escape, which is how the island got its name. The island has a small post office where, for a fee, you can have a foot-shaped stamp put in your passport, or send postcards. One Foot Island is usually the last stop on a lagoon cruise, and the boat stays for about 1–2 hours so visitors can stroll to the sandbar across the water. Note: the sandbars and shallows are intensely sunny with no shade, and the lagoon exit has strong currents, so do not leave the shallows and swim far alone.
Opening hours
Follows lagoon cruise schedule
Nearby sights
- Moturakau
- Akaiami
- Aitutaki Lagoon
- Punarei Cultural Village
- Black Rock
- O'otu Beach
- Arutanga & CICC Church
- Honeymoon Island (Maina)