Anatakitaki Cave and the kopeka

A jungle trek over jagged makatea to a limestone cavern holding freshwater pools and a bird that navigates in darkness by echolocation. The single best reason to come to Atiu.

Atiu coffee: the island's revived plantations

Coffee has been grown on Atiu since the nineteenth century, abandoned, and brought back. You can walk the plantation, see the processing and drink the result.

Atiu's beaches: empty, almost always

Small sandy coves notched into the makatea coast. Not lagoon swimming in the Aitutaki sense, but you will very likely have the beach entirely to yourself.

Birdwatching on Atiu, the Land of Birds

Atiu's traditional name is Enuamanu — land of birds — and it earns it. Eleven native species, including the kakerori that was brought back from the edge of extinction.

Captain Cook's landing and Taunganui Harbour

Cook came ashore on Atiu in 1777 and was received rather better than at Mangaia. The harbour and the landing site are both worth the short trip.

Getting to and around Atiu

A short flight from Rarotonga to an island of a few hundred people, one main road and very few vehicles. What to arrange before you arrive.

Rima Rau and the burial caves of Atiu

Limestone caves used for burial for centuries, holding the remains of ariki and their families. Confronting, significant, and only visitable with the right guide.

Sunday on Atiu

On an island of a few hundred people, Sunday is the centre of the week. Church, singing, rest, and almost nothing open.

Tumunu: Atiu's bush beer tradition

A two-hundred-year-old drinking tradition in huts on the edge of the plantations, descended from orange beer taught to Atiuan warriors by whalers. Visitors are welcome.

What Atiu is, and whether it is for you

An honest account. Atiu is caves, birds, coffee and bush beer on a raised coral island with very few visitors — and it is not a beach holiday.