Top 10 Reasons to Visit Atiu in The Beautiful Cook Islands
Atiu in the Cook Islands is awesome for nature lovers and those that love getting outdoors. It’s also a great destination for active families that don’t necessarily need a five-star resort to have a good time.
Here Are Some Great Reasons to Visit The Island of Atiu in The Cook Islands!
The Coastline is Dramatic
Atiu in the Cook Islands is characterised by a makatea (fossilised coral) coastline. The makatea sea cliffs rise to over six metres in spots, and nestled between these cliffs are plenty of white sandy beaches to explore. Atiu’s reef is fairly close to shore (no more than 50m wide) resulting in a shallow lagoon that is teeming with marine life. It’s really quite uniquely beautiful!
The Coffee is Organically Grown
Atiu Island Coffee is organically grown and hand picked right here on the island. It’s reportedly one of the best in the Pacific! Due to ill health of the previous owner, these days it is processed on a much smaller scale than in previous years. Don’t worry, you can still warm your hands around a cup of it easily enough!
The Beaches Are Small And Deserted
The beaches nestled between the makatea coastline are stunning and often completely deserted. Although shallow, the lagoon surrounding Atiu is deep enough to sit in and watch the marine life go about its day around you. When it comes to occupying kids, these shallow beaches with plenty of marine life, combined with the makatea cliffs with it’s pocket holes full of hermit crabs are tops. All of the small, interesting shaped pieces of coral in the sand go a long way to occupying the kids as well.
There is Virtually no Traffic on Atiu in the Cook Islands
With a population of around 400, peak hour traffic consists of two scooters passing each other with a friendly wave. When exploring the circle island road, it’s not uncommon to see no vehicles until you circle back around to the harbour. In fact, the only thing you really need to watch out for is fallen coconuts, wild pigs, and wild goats.
There Are Some Really Awesome Caves to Explore
Anatakitaki Cave is particularly spectacular with stalagmites, stalactites, and a high chambered, natural cathedral. It even has a freshwater underground cave pool that you can swim in by candlelight!
This cave is also the only known home in the world to the rare Kopeka bird. The Kopeka bird is fascinating as it never lands outside of the cave and navigates in the pitch black by using a clicking sound to echo locate.
You will need a guide to visit the caves as they are situated on family land and permission should be sought first. This cave alone is worth visiting Atiu in the Cook Islands for!
Atiu is Unspoilt
The air is fresh, the ocean waters are clear, and even the sand is squeaky clean! There is no large township, no night clubs, and no light pollution dulling your view of the night time sky. The locals do a fantastic job of keeping the island neat and tidy.
The Harbour is a Unique Place to Swim
The harbour on the island of Atiu in the Cook Islands is a pretty awesome place to hang out! Locals gather here for social occasions, and when school is out there is a bunch of kids jumping from the concrete harbour walls into the ocean. The harbour forms a kind of natural aquarium, and it’s the only safe deep water swimming spot on the island. If you’re visiting with kids, it’s a great place to find some other kids to play with.
The People Are Friendly And Welcoming
If we are being honest, all Cook Islanders are friendly and welcoming. But they seem to be more so on the smaller islands. It’s not uncommon for the locals to bring you fruit from their garden when visiting, and the residents tend to go well out of their way to help if you need it.
Head down to the Super Brown Store for a burger. It’s a great opportunity to meet the locals, have a chat, and make some new friends. Also, the burgers are yummy!
Exploring The Circle Island Road on a Scooter is a Lot of Fun!
Even though the island of Atiu is only 28km around on the unsealed circle island road, there are so many coves to explore that you could easily spend all day (or even two days) exploring it. The track passes through a changing landscape from tropical coconut tree groves, to a more windswept side of the island, to rain forests. Stop the scooter when you see a walking track leading through the dense coastal foliage, and follow it to discover your own private deserted cove.
Kids are allowed to ride on the back of scooters in the Cook Islands. Do as the locals do and use a parea (sarong) to secure younger kids to yourself for extra support. Don’t worry, it’s rare to drive over 30km per hour here.
Humpback whales pass by close to the reef between the migratory season of July to October. Pull off the circle island road just after the airport and walk out onto the high makatea cliffs to watch them! Apparently, the whales come close enough to scrape the barnacles off themselves on the underwater coral.
The Produce Doesn’t Get Any Fresher On Atiu in The Cook Islands
Fresh produce is rarely sold in the shops here, but don’t panic. It’s just because everybody grows their own! Just ask at your accommodation where to get some fruit and vegetables, and they will hook you up with some fresh from the tree. Coconuts are everywhere and free for the taking. If you get the opportunity, make sure to make yourself a bowl of fresh Atiu fruit salad with freshly grated coconut on top. It’s the best!
Psst … If you like the look of Atiu in the Cook Islands, you’ll LOVE our absolute favourite island of Mauke!
Check Out Our YouTube Clip of Atiu in The Cook Islands
Accomodation
We stayed at the affordable Kopeka lodge, which were a little run down but your host for the property is absolutely lovely and goes out of her way to assist with anything. The owner lives in Rarotonga and met us at the airport to give us a bag of groceries to take over. How’s that for a welcome!
The nearby Atiu Villas are more expensive but are the best self-catering style accommodation on the island.
Resources for Booking Your Cook Island Holiday
Flights
All international flights land in Rarotonga. Try searching on Trip.com for a great deal on flights to Rarotonga.
Internal flights around the Cook Islands need to be booked with Air Rarotonga. Mauke, Atiu and Aitutaki are less than one hour flight from Rarotonga.
Accommodation
The White House Villa is a great self-contained family-friendly apartment near Aroa Beach on Rarotonga.
Nice post and good answer to many question during the organization of a trip to this place. Well done, also the picture are awesome.
I want to grab a cup of that organic coffee and explore Atiu’s coastline. I’d end the day sitting in the lagoon with the all the sea critters 🙂
Love this! I wouldn’t need much convincing to go to the cook islands, but as an outdoorsy girl, this would be paradise! I hope living in New Zealand may make it easier to go visit!
this is amazing!! The views, the caves and secluded beaches won me over!! What a stunning place!!
I have to admit I haven’t heard much about the Cook Islands before reading this article but now I ended up being convinced that I have to visit! Thanks for sharing