Mauke
Cook Islands · Southern Cook Islands · 20 m
Description
Mauke is the easternmost of the Cook Islands and calls itself the Garden Island for the flowers grown in every yard. Like its neighbours it is a raised coral island, ringed by a low makatea wall and hollowed by caves whose freshwater pools are open to swimmers. The church at Oiretumu was built by two villages that could not agree, so the interior is divided down the middle in two decorative styles and each side keeps its own door. Anaraura Beach lies in a gap in the cliffs. One road circles the island through the plantations.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 7 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – October
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Divided Church at Oiretumu
- Vai Tango and Vai Ou cave pools
- Anaraura Beach
- Motuanga Cave, the cave of a hundred rooms
- Makatea cliffs and coastal grottos
- Vai Tunamea cave pool
- Kea's Grave
- Areora and Ngatiarua villages
- Island circuit road through the plantations
- Coastal walks along the raised reef
- Maire and flower gardens of the villages
- Native forest birdwatching
Getting there
- Airports:
- MUK