Population 203
3.8 sq. mls/9.8 sq. kms
3.8 sq. mls/9.8 sq. kms
Penrhyn is the most far flung of the Cook Islands. And it lies just 9 degrees below the equator. At 11.2 kms (7 miles) wide and 24.1 kms (15 miles) long, it's also the largest atoll in the Group and one of the largest in the Pacific.
Early Polynesian settlers called it Tongareva - a name still used to this day - meaning "south of the empty space". And there's a lot empty space around it. The nearest neighbours are Rakahanga and Manihiki 322 kilometres (200 miles) to the southwest. The modern name comes from the ship, Lady Penrhyn which passed by the island on 8 August, 1878.
Early Polynesian settlers called it Tongareva - a name still used to this day - meaning "south of the empty space". And there's a lot empty space around it. The nearest neighbours are Rakahanga and Manihiki 322 kilometres (200 miles) to the southwest. The modern name comes from the ship, Lady Penrhyn which passed by the island on 8 August, 1878.
VAST AND STUNNING
Penrhyn comprises a ring of coral 77 km (48 miles) around, and just 4 metres (13 ft) above sea level at the highest point. Its superb lagoon covers 233 sq. kms (90 square miles) of which 62 sq. kms (24 sq. miles) are covered with pearlshell. That, and mother of pearl jewellery are among the main sources of income. The picture above left gives you a feel of the vastness of the lagoon, which is surrounded by 53 motus or islets. But you need to get closer to appreciate its real beauty, captured above left in a stunning photo by Marcus Gleinig of Air Rarotonga.
Penrhyn comprises a ring of coral 77 km (48 miles) around, and just 4 metres (13 ft) above sea level at the highest point. Its superb lagoon covers 233 sq. kms (90 square miles) of which 62 sq. kms (24 sq. miles) are covered with pearlshell. That, and mother of pearl jewellery are among the main sources of income. The picture above left gives you a feel of the vastness of the lagoon, which is surrounded by 53 motus or islets. But you need to get closer to appreciate its real beauty, captured above left in a stunning photo by Marcus Gleinig of Air Rarotonga.
SHIPPED INTO SLAVERY
This is the only island in the Cooks without any ariki or paramount chiefs. The entire hierarchy disappeared in the late 1800s when Peruvian labour traders arrived on the island and shipped hundreds of men, women and children to the mines of Peru with the blessing of the island's missionaries. Over 80% of the population was never seen again.
Some of the finest rito hats are woven on the island and bring high prices on Rarotonga.
PENRHYN PASTIMES
Ping pong on this island is a type of group date, where a man and a woman each invites a "team" of four friends to the beach. They then pair off in couples if they feel so inclined. The "Christmas Games" are allegedly for "cleaning, cooking and dancing", and usually involve unattached residents. First the women move one village west for a week. After the new year, the men move one village east for a week. When the "chores" are done, all return home.
Source: Cook Islands Companion Elliot Smith. Pacific Publishing Company, Albany, California.
The birth rate on Penrhyn is the highest in the Cook Islands.
Source: Cook Islands Companion Elliot Smith. Pacific Publishing Company, Albany, California.
The birth rate on Penrhyn is the highest in the Cook Islands.
Access: Difficult
Inter-island boat and occasional (very expensive) flights
Inter-island boat and occasional (very expensive) flights
Visitors to the island can stay with Soa's family in their three bedroom home in the main village of Omoka. The host, Soatini takes guests fishing and organises tours of his pearl farm.
SHARK PRACTICES!
The lagoon is teeming with sharks - mostly the black tip species which islanders say won't harm humans. They should know as they dive among them to harvest precious black pearls which are farmed in the warm, clear waters.
The lagoon is teeming with sharks - mostly the black tip species which islanders say won't harm humans. They should know as they dive among them to harvest precious black pearls which are farmed in the warm, clear waters.
Floating in empty space
Northern Group
737 miles/1186 kms
North by North East of Rarotonga
737 miles/1186 kms
North by North East of Rarotonga
Also known as TONGAREVA
Islanders live in two main villages...Omoka (above left) is considered the main island as it's where the government, shipping and air service offices are located. 203 islanders live there. Tetautua (right) about 10.5 kms (6 miles) away across the lagoon and has just 51 residents (Population figures from 2006 census)
GO GETTIN' THERE TODAY
Today, flights are infrequent - they should be once a week - typically take up to 8 hours and are very expensive. If you're planning a trip, contact Air Rarotonga for the latest information, and book very early!
Today, flights are infrequent - they should be once a week - typically take up to 8 hours and are very expensive. If you're planning a trip, contact Air Rarotonga for the latest information, and book very early!
GI JOES AND THEIR 'GO GETTIN GAL'
The island has an airfield, thanks to American GIs. About a thousand of them arrived on the island on 8th November 1942 and stayed untl 20th September, 1946. They built a 10,000 foot (3 kms) long runway in case hostilities in the Pacific reached this far east. The remains of a crashed B24 Liberator bomber called "Go Gettin Gal" remain as evidence of this bygone era. Or rather, the four engines and a bit of fuselage remain...the rest of the plane has been picked over and the metal used to make combs and the like. Today, those remains are almost absorbed by the landscape around them (see picture, right)
The island has an airfield, thanks to American GIs. About a thousand of them arrived on the island on 8th November 1942 and stayed untl 20th September, 1946. They built a 10,000 foot (3 kms) long runway in case hostilities in the Pacific reached this far east. The remains of a crashed B24 Liberator bomber called "Go Gettin Gal" remain as evidence of this bygone era. Or rather, the four engines and a bit of fuselage remain...the rest of the plane has been picked over and the metal used to make combs and the like. Today, those remains are almost absorbed by the landscape around them (see picture, right)
