Manihiki

Manihiki (5.3sq.km/3.28sq.mi) is one of the most beautiful atolls in the Cook Islands. It resembles Aitutaki in its triangular conformation. The lagoon is surrounded by a continuous reef, with no navigable passages through it. The two motus, which are among the longest in the group, rise no higher than 5m/16.4ft above sea level. The water between individual motus is rarely more than 1m/3.3ft deep. The chief place on the island is Tauhunu village, which has the necessary public buildings and a shed for storing coconut products. There is a smaller village, which can be reached only by boat over the lagoon, at the northern tip of the atoll. Visitors can see round the pearl farm in the lagoon.