Mitiaro - Island of the 'Itiki'
Mitiaro - Nukuroa
Three 'high' islands islands known as Nga-pu-toru (the three roots), Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke, are clustered in a triangle approximately 45 kilometres apart.
Like the other raised atolls, Mitiaro has a close reef, no large beaches, a ring of makatea - fossilised coral - and a centre of more fertile land. At just 200, its population is one of the smallest in the Cook Islands.
Te Vai Nauri Cave
The Te Vai Nauri cave offers a refreshing swim in fresh water.
Freshwater Lakes
Every island is in some way distinctive. In Mitiaro's case its singularity lies with the two lakes of Rotonui (Big Lake) and Rotoiti (Small Lake).
Both are a little way inland on the eastern side of the island. Swampy and uninviting, the lakes however yield the Islands bountiful treasure of eel.
Mitiaro also sports several caves and freshwater sink holes which are good for swimming. Please ask a loal before taking the plunge. Some are even illuminated by sunlight filtering in through the dense vegetation.
Itiki - an Island Delicacy
Itiki is like caviar to the Isands inhabitants. Eels always return to the sea to spawn, so it can be assumed that the itiki of Mitiaro find their way to the surrounding sea through subterranean channels. Not even an eel could navigate the razor-sharp rock of the makatea without grievous injury to itself.
Mitiaro eels, like eels everywhere, move in mysterious ways. But whatever the route they take, the itiki elvers return eventually to the twin lakes of Mitiaro to fatten and be harvested for consumption.
Several flights per week from Rarotonga and small guest lodges make visits to Mitiaro possible for visitors.
Accommodation on Mitiaro
Mii O'Bryan
+682 36683
Find out more about the other islands of the Cook Islands
Deep in the South Pacific one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world awaits the visitor seeking paradise in the South Seas.
Atiu also known as Enuamanu has more species of birds than any other of the Cook Islands, and is also famous for its coffee.
Mangaia in the Cook Islands Southern group is the oldest island in the whole South Pacific.
Manihiki is one of the most beautiful island of the Cook Islands and famed for its stunning black pearls.
Mauke, the green garden of the Cook Islands, is a magical place most famous for a church which is literally divided in two.
Penrhyn or Tongareva is the most remote and largest atoll of the 15 Cook Islands in the South Pacific.
Pukapuka (known also as Danger Island) is called the island of beautiful girls and has its own language.
Rarotonga is the youngest island in the southern group and the friendly capital of the Cook Islands.