Mitiaro

Introducing Mitiaro

The minuscule island of Mitiaro is one of the least visited of the Southern Group, and while it might not have the glorious beaches or dramatic scenery of Aitutaki and Rarotonga, it's still a rewarding island to visit. Home to just a couple of hundred people, and barely 6km across at its widest point, Mitiaro is a great place to get to grips with traditional culture. The islanders still live in much the same way as their ancient ancestors, farming, fishing and trading with nearby islands (although these days they're helped by a few modern conveniences such as electricity and motor scooters). Like the other makatea (raised coral reef) islands, Mitiaro is riddled with deep caves, including the stunning underground pool of Vai Nauri, but it also has plenty of history to explore - the remains of the only known fort in the Cook Islands is hidden away in the makatea along the island's southern coast.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009