Population 219
8.6 sq mls/22.3sq. kms
8.6 sq mls/22.3sq. kms
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.
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 - between 20 and 40 feet (6 to 9 m) high.
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 - between 20 and 40 feet (6 to 9 m) high.
Access: 3 flights a week from Rarotonga
MAKE A VIRTUAL VISIT TO MITIARO NOW! Click the globe icon
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A traditional home (kikau)
The palm fronds on the roof are woven by hand and need replacing every three to four years
The palm fronds on the roof are woven by hand and need replacing every three to four years
Join the locals...cool, crystal clear waters in limestone caves are perfect for swimming on a hot day.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EXPLORE NEXT?
THE OTHER "ROOTS": ATIU OR MAUKE ANOTHER SOUTHERN GROUP ISLAND
OR TAILOR MAKE YOUR OWN TOUR USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
THE OTHER "ROOTS": ATIU OR MAUKE ANOTHER SOUTHERN GROUP ISLAND
OR TAILOR MAKE YOUR OWN TOUR USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
Face of the ocean
142 miles/228 kms
North East by East of Rarotonga
North East by East of Rarotonga
"THE THREE ROOTS"
Mitiaro makes up part of an island grouping called Nga-Pu-Toru. or "The Three Roots". The other two islands in the grouping are Atiu and Mauke. It's the flattest and economically, the poorest of the three. Like the other two, it was once a volcano that sank to become a coral atoll. It was also thrust upwards 10,000 years ago, but unlike the others, it only rose about 20 feet (6 metres). Despite that, its coral ring still died forming the makatea = a razor sharp ring around the island.
Beaches are limited, but there are crystal clear pools in the subterranean limestone caves (below, centre and right). Everyone lives in one settlement on the west coast, although technically it's four villages. North to south they are Atai, Auta, Mangarei and Takaue. Each is very small and it's difficult to tell where one ends and the next begins! The Government buildings are in the Takaue section so the settlement is usually referred to by that name.
