Population 254
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 7 miles wide and 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 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 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 48 miles (77 km) around, and just 13 feet (4 metres) above sea level at the highest point. Its superb lagoon covers 90 square miles (233 sq km) of which 24 (62 sq km) 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 right in this stunning photo by Marcus Gleinig formerly of Summerfield Systems in Rarotonga.
GETTING THERE
The island has an airfield. About a thousand American serviceman arrived on the island on 8th November 1942 and built a 10,000 foot 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 remain...the rest of the plane has been picked over and the metal used to make combs and the like. The GIs pulled out on 30th September, 1946.
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!
Penrhyn comprises a ring of coral 48 miles (77 km) around, and just 13 feet (4 metres) above sea level at the highest point. Its superb lagoon covers 90 square miles (233 sq km) of which 24 (62 sq km) 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 right in this stunning photo by Marcus Gleinig formerly of Summerfield Systems in Rarotonga.
GETTING THERE
The island has an airfield. About a thousand American serviceman arrived on the island on 8th November 1942 and built a 10,000 foot 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 remain...the rest of the plane has been picked over and the metal used to make combs and the like. The GIs pulled out on 30th September, 1946.
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!
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.
The birthrate on Penrhyn is the highest in the Cook Islands.
The birthrate 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 (left) which islanders say won't harm humans. They should know as they dive among them as they harvest the precious black pearl which is farmed (right) in the warm, clear waters.
Read the fascinating story about the tradition of rito hat making in the Islands
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
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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
Source: Cook Islands Companion Author Elliot Smith,
Pacific Publishing Company, Albany, California.
Pacific Publishing Company, Albany, California.