Penrhyn Atoll

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Penrhyn is one of the 15 Atolls/Islands that comprise the Cook Islands. It belongs to the northern group.

Penrhyn Island (also called Tongareva, Mangarongaro, Hararanga, and Te Pitaka) is the most remote and largest atoll of the 15 Cook Islands in the south Pacific Ocean, 1365 km (848 miles) north-north-east of Rarotonga, 9 degrees below the equator. It sits atop the highest submarine volcano in the Cooks, 4876 m (15,917 ft) above the ocean floor. It comprises a ring of coral 77 km (48 miles) around. The lagoon covers 233 square kilometres (90 mile²) of which 62 square kilometres (24 mile²) is covered with pearlshell.

Weekly flights from Rarotonga as well as frequent ships come to trade for the valuable copra grown on the motus. Pearl farming is a booming industry, but not quite as lucrative as the black pearls of it sister island, Manihiki.

The island came by its name form the ship that hove to in 1788, LADY PENRHYN, and her master, Captain Lever. The island has been repopulated several times in the past due 'blackbirders' from Peru.

There are two main settlements on Tongareva, Omoka, which is on Moananui, and Te Tautua which is on Pokerekere.

The present day inhabitants are friendly fun-loving people who enjoy sharing their 'home brew' and telling stories. There are no hotels or guest houses on the atoll, but often arrangements can be made to stay with a family on the island. There are regular (approximately 4 hour) flights via Air Rarotonga to Penrhyn each Saturday from Rarotonga with a brief stop at Aitutaki.


kiaorana.com/penrhyn.html
www.cookislands.org.uk/penrhyn.html
www.govisitcookislands.com/northern-group/penrhyn-atoll...
www.janesoceania.com/cook_islands_blackbirding