North Islands Attractions

The concave coastline of many atolls is the result of displacements of the reef and submarine faults. The gaps in the atoll are mostly narrow and very shallow. There are anchorages for larger vessels within the lagoon only on Penrhyn and Suwarrow. The islands receive necessary supplies from Rarotonga in small vessels that call several times a year and on their return voyage carry the islands' produce, mainly coconuts and copra.

The larger buildings on the islands (churches, administrative offices, schools) are built of coralline limestone, which offers protection against the storm tides that can sweep over these low islands. Other buildings are mainly of wood and roofed with corrugated iron or palm leaves. The Polynesians still prefer the traditional method of construction, adapted to the climate, using pandanus wood and leaves. Rainwater is collected in large cisterns to meet local needs. Apart from rats and mice there are no wild animals on the islands. Pigs and poultry are kept for domestic consumption. Large numbers of seabirds nest on most of the islands, particularly on Suwarrow. Outside the reefs there are good fishing grounds.