Atiu

A raised coral island in the Cook Islands, home to Anatakitaki Cave, where Cook Islands swiftlets nest, along with jungle beer gatherings and coffee plantations, all at a slow, unspoiled pace.

Atiu is in the southern Cook Islands, about 215 km from Rarotonga, the capital, a flight of about 45 minutes. It is an ancient volcanic island encircled by a raised coral reef platform (makatea), covering about 27 km² with a population of a few hundred. The island's central highlands hold five villages and fields of coffee and taro. The outer ring is sharp coral limestone forest and caves, and the outermost edge is a narrow lagoon with small bays. The island's old name, Enuamanu ('land of birds'), reflects its fame for birdwatching and caves. Anatakitaki Cave is home to Cook Islands swiftlets, the Rimarau burial cave tells of the tribes' past, and a tunnel beneath Lake Tiroto leads to the sea. In the evening you can join the unique jungle beer gathering, the tumunu.

May–October is the dry season, cool and with little rain, and the best time to visit. November–March is hot and humid and falls in the cyclone season. There is no public transport on the island. Visitors usually rent motorbikes or arrange transfers and guides through their accommodation. Caves and burial caves must be visited with a guide. Cash is essential and shops are few. Plan to stay 3–4 days, and confirm your return flights from Rarotonga.

Top sights

• Anatakitaki Cave – Atiu’s signature cave, with interconnected chambers full of stalactites and home to the Cook Islands swiftlet, which lives only on this isl…
• Tumunu Bush Beer Club – Atiu’s unique bush gathering, where villagers sit together to share homemade orange “bush beer,” sing and tell stories. It is the most auth…
• Rimarau Burial Cave – An ancient burial cave hidden in coral limestone jungle, where the remains of early inhabitants still lie and the legend of the tribal wars…
• Lake Tiroto – The island's only lake, ringed by taro fields and reeds, with an underground tunnel linking it to the sea. A top spot for birdwatching.
• Atiu Coffee Factory – A family workshop continuing the coffee-growing tradition of the 19th century, where you can follow the process from picking and roasting t…
• Taunganui Harbour – A small harbour carved out of the coral reef on the northwest of the island, with deep blue, clear water that is the most popular spot for…
• Oravaru Beach – The beach where Captain Cook's crew landed on Atiu in 1777, with white sand and reef flats and a monument recording the event.
• Taungaroro Beach – One of the most beautiful lagoon bays on Atiu, a small white-sand cove ringed by coral limestone, good for swimming and relaxing at sunset.
• Orongo Marae – The island's most important ancient ceremonial site, where stone-ringed open-air ritual grounds lie hidden in the jungle.
• Takutea – An uninhabited islet about 16 km northwest of Atiu, a seabird breeding reserve jointly managed by the island's traditional tribes.

Where to eat

• Kura's Kitchen – The only evening dine-in restaurant on Atiu, set in Atiu Villas. Two-course family-style meals are served at a long tab…
• Areora Café – A small family-run café in Areora village serving brunch, pizza and fresh fruit smoothies. Dinner must be ordered in ad…