Mitiaro boasts the only sizeable freshwater lakes in the Cook Islands. Rotonui (Big Lake) and Rotoiti (Small Lake) are a little way inland on the eastern side of the island. The larger is about half the size of the whole island, and between them, the two lakes account for about two thirds of the island.
They're home to prawns and eels called Itiki, which are like caviar to the Cook Islanders. The island, which is just four miles across at its widest point, is surrounded by a belt of razor sharp, fossilised coral - makatea - 6 to 9 metres (20 and 40 feet) high.