Lake Tiriara
Tiriara
The only lake on Mangaia, ringed by reed swamps and towering coral cliffs, with a cave mouth at the cliff base said to connect underground to the sea.
Lake Tiriara lies inland on the south side of the island, along the road between Oneroa and Tamarua. It is Mangaia's only lake and one of the larger freshwater lakes in the Cook Islands. Reed and taro swamps fringe its shores, with tall coral cliffs rising directly behind. At the base of the cliffs is a cave opening, and local legend holds that its waterway runs underground all the way to the sea. The viewpoint beside the road has a signboard and a shaded picnic area. About 600 m further on, a trail around the south side of the lake leads to Tuatini Cave. In recent years farming and pollution have affected the lake's ecosystem, so please take your rubbish with you.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Tuatini Cave
- Tamarua CICC Church
- Maumaukura Lookout
- Rangimotia
- Tua'ati Rock Pools
- Oneroa CICC Church
- Saragossa Shipwreck
- Toru a Puru Cave