Take on one of the most epic adventures in the Cook Islands with the Anatakitaki Cave Tour, an immersive trek through dense jungle, ancient limestone caverns, and freshwater cave pools—all guided by a passionate local who knows every twist and turn. This tour is for the fit and fearless, leading you deep into Atiu’s iconic Anatakitaki cave system, where you’ll encounter banyan-draped cave entrances, rope-assisted passages, and the eerie flight of the kopeka (cave swiftlets). A raw, off-the-beaten-path experience, this is the ultimate underground adventure in Atiu.
8% Downpayment Accepted
Local Charity Donation Included
12-65
English, Cook Islands Maori
Highlights
🌳 Jungle, Limestone & Underground Pools – Explore three landscapes in one epic adventure: coastal forest, banyan-covered cave entrance, and the massive underground network. 🧗♂️ Real Adventure – Climb, crawl, and navigate slippery rocks and ladders in a raw, undeveloped cave system. 🦇 Rare Wildlife & Natural Beauty – Spot kopeka birds, learn about coconut crabs, and experience pristine nature untouched by mass tourism. 💧 Optional Cave Swim – Take a plunge into a hidden freshwater pool deep within the cave. 🥥 Authentic Local Connection – Be guided by a local expert who lives and breathes the forest and its legends.
Details
✔ Pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation (via pick-up truck) ✔ Local, experienced guide for the entire tour ✔ Safety briefing, headlights and walking sticks provided ✔ Commentary on flora, fauna, and geology along the way ✔ Local snacks gathered en route ✔ Optional swim in freshwater cave pool
Pick-Up & Briefing
Your guide picks you up from your accommodation in a rugged pick-up truck.
You’ll receive a safety briefing and an update on trail conditions.
Island Drive to the Trailhead (15 min)
Enjoy a scenic ride across Atiu to the start of the cave trail.
Forest Hike to the Cave (40 min)
Begin with an easy walk through the coastal forest before entering sharper terrain.
Walking sticks provided as the trail transitions to jagged limestone and uneven rocks.
Cave Entrance & Descent
Arrive at the impressive banyan-draped entrance of Anatakitaki.
Descend into the cave using a ladder, with your guide’s help. This is where the adventure truly begins!
Cave Exploration
Navigate through enormous limestone caverns, fern-covered chambers, and cathedral-like rooms.
Encounter bats and kopeka birds (echo-navigating swiftlets), and learn about their unique habitat.
Some parts of the journey require crawling, rope support, and careful footwork—it’s a real expedition.
Optional Side Trip to the Underground Pool
For those keen, take a side route to a hidden freshwater pool for a refreshing underground swim.
It's a challenging detour, but well worth it for the cool dip and atmosphere.
Local Snacks & Nature Talk
Your guide will provide locally sourced snacks, possibly picked along the way—a real taste of the island.
Commentary includes insights into coconut crabs, banyan trees, ferns, and cave formations.
Return Hike & Drop-Off
Retrace your steps back to the trailhead, then relax in the truck for the return journey to your accommodation.
Sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes (essential)
Comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting dirty
Reusable water bottle
Towel & swimwear (for the optional cave pool dip)
Small backpack for carrying your gear
Sense of adventure & moderate-to-high fitness level
Natural insect repellent
📍 Pick-Up Location: Your accommodation on Atiu 🕘 Departure Time: 9am or 2pm ⏳ Tour Duration: Approx. 2–2.5 hours round trip 🏝 Return: Drop-off at your accommodation
Flexible
Moderate
Strict
Custom
10% Non-Refundable Fee: Regardless of the timing of the cancellation, 10% of the total booking cost is non-refundable.
14+ Days Cancellation: 90% refund if cancelled at least 30 days (or more) before the booking start date.
7 Days Cancellation: 75% refund if cancelled at least 14 days before the booking start date.
48 Hours Cancellation: 50% refund if cancelled at least 7 days before the booking start date.
Banking Fees: Due to extremely high banking costs in Tonga, travellers are responsible for international banking fees that apply when issuing a refund.
Insurance: Travellers are advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance that covers travel refunds to complement this policy.
Is this tour suitable for everyone? No. This tour is not recommended for anyone with weak ankles, mobility issues, or poor balance. You must be fit and comfortable with uneven terrain and moderate climbing.
Do I need to swim? No, the freshwater pool swim is optional, but we recommend bringing swimwear and a towel just in case.
How hard is the hike? The 1.3km hike is moderately challenging with sharp limestone, rope-assisted areas, and slippery sections. It’s an adventure—not a walk in the park.
What kind of shoes should I wear? Closed-toe, sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners are essential. No sandals or flip-flops.
What’s the cave like inside? Expect massive cathedral-like spaces, natural light filtering in, the sound of birds and dripping water, and stunning limestone formations.
Is it safe? Yes, with a local guide, safety gear, and the right footwear, the tour is challenging but safe for those physically able.
What happens if it rains? A bit of rain won’t stop the adventure! The caves are mostly sheltered, and the forest can actually be quite beautiful in light rain. However, if weather conditions become unsafe (e.g. heavy rain causing slippery conditions or flooding), we will attempt to reschedule your tour for another time that works for you.
Do I get a refund if the weather is bad? While we do our best to reschedule in poor weather, we cannot control the weather, and our standard cancellation policy still applies. If we need to cancel due to weather and we are still able to operate the tour safely, a cancellation fee may apply. Please see our full policy at the time of booking for details.
No Accessibility Information:
We currently don't have specific accessibility information for this activity. Please contact us for more details about the accessibility features available.
Adventurous Traveller
An adventurous traveller is ready for moderate physical challenges. This level
includes activities like hiking on varied terrain or kayaking. It suits those who
enjoy a bit of adventure and are prepared for a more active experience.
Please keep in mind that individual fitness levels can be subjective and depend on
various factors such as age, health conditions and personal health. This is a general
guideline only and your specific fitness should be taken into consideration.
Welcome to Anatakitaki Cave
Because we are humans dealing with humans and not robots dealing with lawyers,
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Last changes to these terms were made on: November 19, 2024.
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These terms are governed by the laws of Cook Islands. Any legal
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Flexibility
Given the unpredictable nature of the tourism industry in Cook Islands,
some variations in itineraries and inclusions may occur during a
tour. Travelers are strongly advised to confirm inclusions directly with the
provider before making a purchase. Additionally, we encourage all travelers to
approach tours with an open mind. No parties will accept liability for
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event of such discrepancies, the Booking Engine will make reasonable efforts
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A. Booking a Tour: Travelers are responsible for arriving on time
for the experience (tour or similar) departure. Providers reserve the right to
begin a tour at the scheduled time, even if a paid customer has not arrived. No
refunds will be provided for late arrivals.
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on time for their accommodation reservation. Failure to do so may result in forfeited
reservations without refund.
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arrivals for car rentals or public transport services. No refunds will be issued
for late arrivals.
Cancellation
The provider's cancellation policy is prominently displayed on its product
page. Cancellation policies in Cook Islands are stricter than in other
countries due to logistical challenges. In the event of a provider-initiated cancellation,
a 10% non-refundable fee will apply.
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All reviews represent the personal opinions of reviewers and do not reflect
the views of Anatakitaki Cave or Cook Islands Pocket Guide.
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Travelers must communicate dietary or health requirements to the provider
before booking.
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Travelers must adhere to Tongan customs, including conservative attire.
Noncompliance may result in service cancellation without refund.
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Travelers must arrive with appropriate gear and footwear. Providers may deny
participation if requirements are not met.
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1% of all payments made via Anatakitaki Cave are donated to local charities
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Anatakitaki Cave Tour (Atiu)
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What Our Customers Say
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"highlights": "<div>🌳 <strong>Jungle, Limestone & Underground Pools</strong> – Explore three landscapes in one epic adventure: coastal forest, banyan-covered cave entrance, and the massive underground network.<br> 🧗♂️ <strong>Real Adventure</strong> – Climb, crawl, and navigate slippery rocks and ladders in a raw, undeveloped cave system.<br> 🦇 <strong>Rare Wildlife & Natural Beauty</strong> – Spot kopeka birds, learn about coconut crabs, and experience pristine nature untouched by mass tourism.<br> 💧 <strong>Optional Cave Swim</strong> – Take a plunge into a hidden freshwater pool deep within the cave.<br> 🥥 <strong>Authentic Local Connection</strong> – Be guided by a local expert who lives and breathes the forest and its legends. </div>",
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