Mitiaro

By plane - Air Rarotonga flies from Rarotonga to Mitiaro 3-4 Times a week. It's a short 50 minutes flight with an Embrear Bandairante. There is a baggage limit of 16kg per passenger. Sometimes the flight from Atiu or Mauke gets redirected via Mitiaro, so there unofficially might be a chance to get here from one of these two without first flying to Rarotonga if you can wait until it happens and manage to make Air Raro take you.
For the adventurous, the cheaper option is to go by boat. The "freighter" (let's call it a nutshell) goes irregularly to Mitiaro (Usually via Mauke, so you might even get here from Mauke). Ask at the office of the inter-island shipping company in Avarua harbour. Depending on the winds it can take a few days. Be also prepared to be delayed several days, don't count on a fixed departure and arrival, because it leaves when they're finished loading, the winds are good, the captain is sober and the number of octopuses in the harbour plus the number of coconuts in muri equals the stars seen at 11PM at night, no matter what they tell you when it is supposed to leave.

• By foot you'll see the most, but you need time.
• By motorbike. Ask your host.

There is not much to do on Mitiaro, except walking around, having a coconut, talk to the friendly locals and go fishing.
Fishing inside or outside the reef is possible, and there is no ciguatera here unlike in Rarotonga.
There are some nice beaches, but the reef is to shallow for swimming. With a little common sense it is, however safe to swim and snorkel outside the reef when the sea is calm.

You can get basic products at Pa's store. They also have fresh bread on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Accommodations usually provide food.
Self-catering is also a good option if you fish. Bring as much non-local stuff like butter, eggs, meat, spices,... as you need. These things are expensive on Mitiaro.

• Water should be boiled before you drink it.
• Coconuts.

• Vivian's Homestay

  phone: +682 36008
  Meals included or DIY cooking

There is no internet or mobile phone reception on Mitiaro.

• Water should be boiled before you drink it.
• Stealing. Cook Islanders are raised to share almost everything naturally. Things may be borrowed (even without telling the owner) and will be returned upon request, provided you know whom to ask. It is not considered stealing in their culture. So it's best to watch out for your stuff.