Atiu Island. Cook Island. Polynesia. South Pacific Ocean. Several tourists photographing the impressive Kopeka Bird Caves in Atiu. These caves are the home to the Kopeka Birds, unique to Atiu. This swift like bird nests deep within the caverns and navigates in the dark by using an echo locating series of clicks. Hear the legend of Inutoto and Tangaroa and learn of the flora and fauna found in the makatea (raised coral) surroundings. Bring your swimwear and enjoy a candle-lit swim in the artesian water pool. Nurau and Vai Akaruru water caves are fun to swim. Nurau has a vertical sinkhole that drops down from the cave floor to a new level completely underwater. This sinkhole is the entrance to an underwater labyrinth incompletely explored in 1997 by Australians David Goldie and Paul Tobin. Diffuse light filters down to the waters in Vai Akaruru cave making this cave easy to swim. Te Ana O Raka is an easily accessed burial cave. However as Aue Raka's ancestors are interred in this cave it is important to gain permission to enter. Aue offers a tour of the cave and points of interest in the area Ph 33256. Pau Atea cave is long and has many passages. There are many other caves in the area and these are thought to interconnected. It is easy to get lost in these caves. Atiu is a volcanic island surrounded by a coral reef, cliffs and raised coral limestone called makatea. It has taro swamps, lake, limestone caves, lush tropical bush and pristine beaches - some of the finest in the Cook Islands. The narrow, clean lagoon enables you to explore the reef & its sea life, enjoy a beach to yourself and your 'own personal lagoon pool' while you sit back and relax to the sound of the sea as it meets the reef. When sea conditions allow visit the coral gardens and grottos. Swim in the small harbour and, in calm weather, enjoy snorkelling the reef from there or in the coral gardens. In season clearly view, from the beaches & cliffs, the Humpback Whales & Spinner Dolphins when they show themselves. The tropical bush is home to wonderful bird life & exoctic flora. Atiu - 'Enuamanu' which translates the "Island of Birds" has many species including the Kopeka, an echo-locating swiftlet that nests deep inside the caves, the Kakerori, which was introduced to Atiu to help save the Rarotongan bird from extinction and the endangered Rimatara Lorikeet reintroduced from French Polynesia to Atiu in April 2007.