Mitiaro

Three ‘high’ islands known as Nga-Pu-Toru (the three roots), Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke, are clustered in a triangle approximately 45 kilometres apart.

Mitiaro has a close reef, coves and beaches, the most stunning subterranean limestone caves and pools, a ring of makatea – fossilised coral – and a centre of more fertile land. The gentle warmth of the community and the pride in their island is a marque of the island people. At just 200, its population is one of the smallest in the Cook Islands.

Vai Nauri Cave

Caves

Mitiaro offers several caves and freshwater sinkholes which are good for swimming. Some are even illuminated by sunlight filtering in through dense vegetation. Vai Nauri – a deep emerald cave pool, is a must-do when visiting. Please speak with a local before taking the plunge.

Itiki – an Island Delicacy

Itiki is like caviar to the Isands inhabitants. Eels always return to the sea to spawn, so it can be assumed that the itiki of Mitiaro find their way to the surrounding sea through subterranean channels. Not even an eel could navigate the razor-sharp rock of the makatea without grievous injury to itself.

Mitiaro eels, like eels everywhere, move in mysterious ways. But whatever the route they take, the itiki elvers return eventually to the twin lakes of Mitiaro to fatten and be harvested for consumption.

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Freshwater Lakes

Every island is in some way distinctive. In Mitiaro’s case its singularity lies with the two lakes of Rotonui (Big Lake) and Rotoiti (Small Lake).

Both are a little way inland on the eastern side of the island. Swampy and uninviting, the lakes however yield the Islands bountiful treasure of eel.