Rakahanga Atoll Travel Guide

Map of Rakahanga Atoll and Lagoon     

Rakahanga Atoll is the sister atoll to Manihiki Atoll and is located about 42 kilometre (26 miles) to the north of Rarotonga. It is distinctively rectangular in shape, is not as large as Manihiki but has a greater amount of fertile soil that sustains the farming of puraka - a coarser drier species of taro - as well as papaya (pawpaw), breadfruit and bananas. In comparison, Manihiki is only suitable for production of copra (dried coconut flesh). There is an air strip on Rakahanga. Access is from Manihiki just to the south (Air Rarotonga flies weekly to Manihiki).

Some of the main features and activities of Rakahanga are as follows:

• Rakahanga is comprised of two main islands, and seven coral motu.
• It is a remote and beautiful paradise.
• It was nicknamed the Island of Beautiful People (gente hermosa) by the Spanish friar Juan de Torquemada.
• No formal accommodation options, although it may be possible to organise a homestay.

It is said that Rakahanga Lagoon is the first part of the Cook Islands to have a recorded landing by Europeans. This was in early 1606 when two Spanish ships commanded by Pedro Fernandez de Quiros arrived during the course of one of the final Spanish voyages of exploration. The Spanish ships were called the 'Capitana' and the 'Almiranta'.