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Mauke

Mauke (also known as Maʻuke or Ma'uke) is in the Southern Cook Islands.

89km

-20.166667-157.333333

Mangaia

Mangaia (traditionally known as Auau Enua, which means terraced) is the most southerly of the Cook Islands and the second largest, after Rarotonga. Geologists estimate the island is at least 18 million years old, making it the oldest in the Pacific. It rises 4750 m (15,600 ft) above the ocean floor and has a land area of 51.8 km2. It has a central volcanic plateau and, like many of the southern Cook Islands, it is surrounded by a high ring of cliffs of fossil coral 60 m (200 ft) high, known as the makatea. The highest point is Rangi-motia, 169 m above sea level, near the centre of the island. Lake Tiriara is a body of fresh water in the south. The population of Mangaia comprises about 700 people (2006). The capital is the village of Oneroa, on the west coast, containing about half the population. There are two more villages, Tamarua in the south and Ivirua in the northeast.

202km

-21.921389-157.923056

Aitutaki

Aitutaki (Aye-too-tah-ki) is an island in the Southern Cook Islands, a 45 minute flight from the capital island of Rarotonga.

218km

-18.83-159.75

Rarotonga

Rarotonga is by far the most populated of the Cook Islands and is the capital. It's in the southern group of islands, and is known as Raro.

226km

-21.2333-159.7833
Sights (1)

Takutea

26km

-19.8-158.28333333333
Nature

we will see

Atiu

Cook Islands
Someday we will visit Atiu or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Atiu

Atiu is an island in Southern Cook Islands. It is the third largest, third most populous, and third most visited island in the Cook Island group. It is 27km2 and has a rapidly decreasing population of 480 (2009), of which most are children and elderly.

Of special interest to tourists are the kopeka caves deep in the makatea, the Atiuan 'jungle'. The Atiu swiftlet or kopeka (Aerodramus sawtelli) nests inside Anatakitaki Cave. The swiftlet navigates in the dark using sonar, like bats.

Atiu's area is about half that of Rarotonga. Atiu is a raised volcanic island surrounded by a reef from which rise 6-metre-high (20-foot) cliffs of fossilized coral (makatea). The makatea cliff forms a one-mile-wide (1.6-kilometre) ring round the island, creating a virtual plateau. Erosion at the innerside of the ring has formed dip of about 30 metres (98 feet) into fertile land, which gradually rises again to a central 70-metre-high (230-foot) flat-topped hill. The low swampy land consists of taro plantations, marshes and a lake, Tiroto. This fertile area also grows bananas, citrus fruits, pawpaws, breadfruit and coconuts.

  • Teenui Village (Te-Kuru-Kava-Nui)
  • Mapumai Village (Mapumai-Nui-O-Ruavari)
  • Ngatiarua Village (Mokoero-Nui-O-Tautipa)
  • Areora Village (Areora-Nui-Te-Are-O-Tangaroa)
  • Tengatangi Village (Taturoa-I-Te-Puta-Marama)

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Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

24°C20
Precipitation: 376 mm

Feb

24°C22
Precipitation: 98 mm

Mar

24°C22
Precipitation: 369 mm

Apr

23°C22
Precipitation: 271 mm

May

24°C20
Precipitation: 160 mm

Jun

22°C20
Precipitation: 76 mm

Jul

21°C18
Precipitation: 91 mm

Aug

21°C19
Precipitation: 15 mm

Sep

22°C19
Precipitation: 76 mm

Oct

24°C20
Precipitation: 38 mm

Nov

24°C21
Precipitation: 58 mm

Dec

25°C22
Precipitation: 198 mm
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