Introducing Mangaia
The ancient island of Mangaia is thought to be the oldest island in the South Pacific, and it's a place where you can certainly feel the centuries stretching back. Vast circular towers of makatea (raised, fossilised coral reef) ring the island's fertile central valleys, in some places dropping down in sheer 60m cliffs, and there are several scenic lookouts where you can admire uninterrupted views across to the highest peak on the island, Rangimotia. It's a proud and mysterious island, renowned for its unique culture and sense of independence, and there are many ancient marae (ancient meeting grounds) to discover, as well as some of the finest Missionary-era churches in the Cook Islands. But like the other islands of the Southern Group, Mangaia is most famous for its dramatic cave systems, especially the massive burial chamber of Te Rua Rere and the labyrinthine Tuatini Caves. It's also rumoured to be a haunted island - the spirits of ancient ancestors are believed to walk aboard on the island once the sun sets, and many locals won't venture into the murky makatea after dark.
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Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: fiji vs. cook islands for active budget travellers
by H2ooh 18 July 2011
More perspective..... albeit with a CI bias ;-) Cook Islands total resident population is 10,600 Fiji's total resident population is…
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RE: Aitu or Mangaia?
by Pergola55 12 July 2011
Atiu has small scale tourism, Mangaia has practically no tourism (when I stayed there last year in May I was the ONLY tourist). Both have…
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Re: shell collecting
by H2ooh 11 June 2011
If collecting shells is your thing I'd suggest Aitu vs Aitutaki. Aitutaki has an extended lagoon all around the island and you won't find…
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Mangaia
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Our Top Picks For Mangaia
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1 Caves
Descending into the depths of Mangaia's many caves
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2 Taro plantations
Trekking through the lush taro plantations in the island's centre
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3 Scenic views
Surveying the scene from the scenic views at the top of the makatea
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4 Mangaian kingfisher
Seeking out the elusive Mangaian kingfisher
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5 Rangimotia
Climbing up to the island's highest point at Rangimotia
