The Boat Shed
Bar & Grill, Aitutaki
The Boat Shed Bar & Grill is located on the southern tip of
the peninsular on the east coast of Aitutaki, at the end of the
airport runway. Built and operated by Allen & Maria Mills
with their daughter Nikki, the Boat Shed was built to be like
a shed to house the marine memorabilia collected by Allen
& Maria over their years of travel and historic local items
collected since living back on Aitutaki.
Maria was born on Aitutaki and is a direct descendant of the first
settlers over 800 years ago and so it is her family land the Boat
Shed and Popoara Ocean Breeze Villas are built on. The Boat
Shed was opened on the 17th November 2006 and has grown
somewhat since then with large indoor and out door dining area,
a handy bar servicing both locals
and visitors who happily mingle
and tell stories of Aitutaki and the
rest of the world. The friendly staff
are a wealth of information on
Aitutaki and the many activities
available for visitors. There is a
good play ground for the Kids
while parents can have a cool drink
while looking over the lagoon and
ocean, in season there are often
whales quite close into the reef to
watch, breaching and playing.
The restaurant offers an all-day lunch and dinner menu as well
as a dedicated evening menu featuring local seafood dishes and
also a wide range of Asian influenced meals in the evenings and
lighter snack meals available through the day. There is a wide
range of drinks available covering a wide selection of beers (ice
cold), wines and spirits with a selection of old and local cocktails.
Outside dining day time and evening is available under cover on
the deck, out on the paving or in the private huts all serviced by
happy and willing staff or you can relax inside amongst the large
collection of memorabilia and trophy photos of world record
sized bonefish caught locally by the many fly fishermen from all
around the world. Although a world record is yet to be recorded
there have been many fish close to or over but not measured, all
fishing is catch and release in the lagoon. There is also good game
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fishing outside the reef and the Boat Shed is happy to cook your
catch of the day for you however you would like it, usually a
selection of sashimi starter, ikamata entrée, and grilled main.
There is a comfortable conference/meeting room available to
service your requirements, often used by overseas groups on a
travelling conference gig who enjoy the view, cold drinks and
evening meals after a day’s work. The conference room is also
home base for the Aitutaki Sailing Club which has been the
base for training and competition waters for our Cook Island
Olympians.
The Boat Shed also caters for group gatherings, meals and
weddings again either inside or out-
side depending on choice, catering
for snacks, formal finger food and
sit-down dining with a menu of
your choice.
Being at the gateway to the
lagoon the staff can arrange for
any activity you may like from a
leisurely lagoon cruise, catering
lunch, swimming with the giant
trevally and pretty reef fish to the
more adventurous day on the
lagoon. There are island tours
both of general interest and the
more historic. From June to September Aitutaki offers great
kiteboarding as well as competitions and is very popular with Dexter
boarders from all around the world.
The Boat Shed is very handy for the annual Aitutaki Marathon as
well as being able to organise guides for year round bone fishing.
It offers a great base for these events and a nice cold drink and
spot to relax after a hard day’s work.
The Boat Shed is open 7 days for lunch and dinner and a cold
drink on the hot Aitutaki days.
Pick ups from your accommodation can be arranged.
Ph 31479 Email: [email protected]