According to many, Manihiki is the most beautiful of the Cook Islands. It comprises 40 tiny islets encircling a lagoon two and a half miles (4km) wide. This completely enclosed body of water is the source of the island's greatest asset - black pearls.
Like its sister island of Rakahanga 44 kms (18 miles) north, Manihiki sits on top of an underwater mountain which rises 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) from the ocean floor. But the island itself is flat and only 4 metres (13 feet) above sea level at the highest point. Polynesians are believed to have lived on Manihiki since at least 1500 AD. It was discovered by Europeans on 13 October, 1822 when the US ship "Good Hope" sighted it. Its commander, Captain Patrickson, named it Humphrey Island. It's 1200 kms (745 miles) north north west of Rarotonga.
Population 351
2.1 sq mls/5.4 sq. kms
2.1 sq mls/5.4 sq. kms
The unspoiled beauty that is Manihiki...by day and night. These pictures were taken by Andrea Richichi, a scientist at the European Southern Observatory in Germany who, like me, enjoys travelling for the sake of it. I am grateful for his permission to reuse them on this site. If you're thinking of a visit to the island, I would recommend you read Andrea's personal account
Access: Weekly flights from Rarotonga (often booked up very early)
Island of Pearls
Northern Group
745 miles/ 1200 kms
North West of Rarotonga
745 miles/ 1200 kms
North West of Rarotonga
POINTERS TO PARADISE:
ANOTHER PEARL ISLAND RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
ANOTHER PEARL ISLAND RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
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MANIHIKI'S HIDDEN PEARL
While the island is justly famous for its black pearls, one of its unihabited islets or motu has a pearl of its own. An enclosed lake on Porea is used to farm milkfish (ava), a notoriously boney but (I'm told) exremely tasty species.
While the island is justly famous for its black pearls, one of its unihabited islets or motu has a pearl of its own. An enclosed lake on Porea is used to farm milkfish (ava), a notoriously boney but (I'm told) exremely tasty species.
The best swimming spot on the island
And you should see the one that got away! The fish is a Napolean Wrasse - males can grow up to 2 metres (6ft)
Aerial view of Tapuaeka
Aerial view of Tukao - the smaller of the two main settlements
And this is where you can stay....a villa on the very edge of the lagoon. Manihiki Lagoon Villas are in the village of Tauhunu which is about 20 minutes from the airport and the village of Tukao. Visitors are are transferred to Tauhunu by boat.
All meals, airport transfers, kayaks and snorkelling gear are provided, but you're advised to take your own favourite snacks as shopping facilities are almost non-existent.
Make sure also that you take plenty of cash...plastic money isn't accepted and there are no ATMs!
All meals, airport transfers, kayaks and snorkelling gear are provided, but you're advised to take your own favourite snacks as shopping facilities are almost non-existent.
Make sure also that you take plenty of cash...plastic money isn't accepted and there are no ATMs!
ACCOMMODATION
The five pictures above were taken by Nancy and Kora Kora who run the villas
A survey for the Ministry of Marine Resources in Rarotonga in the year 2000 calculated 1.5 million oysters were being cultivated. This survey also recorded 111 farms with a total of 690 culture lines and 424 spat collection lines (such as the one pictured left). The total length of these farm lines was 160 kilometers, with the farms themselves covering seven square kilometres. A quarter of a million black pearls were being produced each year.
The industry has been at a low ebb for sometime now, in the face of stiff competition from China and Japan. But the Cook Islands Pearl Authority was recently relaunched with the aim of tightening up on standards and boosting promotion worldwide.
The industry has been at a low ebb for sometime now, in the face of stiff competition from China and Japan. But the Cook Islands Pearl Authority was recently relaunched with the aim of tightening up on standards and boosting promotion worldwide.
Cultured pearls are a vital export for the Cook Islands, and the second biggest revenue earner after tourism.
Find out more and get expert advice on Cook Islands black pearls at the Pearl Authority website
One of Manihiki's pearl farms
Pearl farming, centred at Manihiki atoll, involves cultivating the special black-lipped mollusk otherwise known as the "Pinctada Margaritifera", or black-lip mother-of-pearl. A black pigment is naturally secreted by the mollusk and provides the resulting pearl with a basic colour ranging from black to gray. It takes 18 months to 2 years for the pearl to reach the required size, and the outstandingly clear water of the Manihiki lagoon is vital to the growth and quality.
PEARL FARMING
THE DAY THE ISLAND WAS ALMOST WIPED OFF THE MAP
On the afternoon of 1 November, 1997 - the first day of the hurricane season - cyclone Martin smashed huge waves through the villages and lagoon of Manihiki. 19 people died and 400 were evacuated to Rartotonga by the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
One report* described the terrifying day: "Housing was flattened, public facilities destroyed, crushed coral roads washed-out, and virtually all of the off-shore accommodation and equipment relating to the lagoon pearl-fishing industry was destroyed. Small boats, timbers and household contents were strewn everywhere, and sheets of cast-iron roofing were wrapped like tape around high trees. Sunken debris littered the edge of the lagoon to a distance of about 30 metres." And at one stage, there were serious discussions about abandoning the island altogether.
Some evidence of that day still remains - pieces of boats, tyres, trees and even fridges lie on the bottom of the lagoon.
One report* described the terrifying day: "Housing was flattened, public facilities destroyed, crushed coral roads washed-out, and virtually all of the off-shore accommodation and equipment relating to the lagoon pearl-fishing industry was destroyed. Small boats, timbers and household contents were strewn everywhere, and sheets of cast-iron roofing were wrapped like tape around high trees. Sunken debris littered the edge of the lagoon to a distance of about 30 metres." And at one stage, there were serious discussions about abandoning the island altogether.
Some evidence of that day still remains - pieces of boats, tyres, trees and even fridges lie on the bottom of the lagoon.
* Extract from "Observtions from a Cyclone stress/trauma assignment in the Cook Islands"
AJW Taylor Ph.D, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand
AJW Taylor Ph.D, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand