8 Best Beaches on Mitiaro

Last Updated: 9 June, 2025

Where to Find the Beaches on Mitiaro

Everywhere! Mitiaro is an uplifted coral atoll that might not be famous for its beaches like Rarotonga or Aitutaki but, boy, the beaches here are still too darn beautiful! Nestled between makatea (jagged limestone) cliffs, Mitiaro’s beaches are scenic and secluded – you’ll almost always have any one of its beaches to yourself.

Although they might not be great for swimming, reef walking is a fun sport on some of the island’s beaches, or you could always watch the sunrise or sunset.

Once you’re done discovering the best beaches on Mitiaro, plan more of your trip using The Complete Travel Guide to Mitiaro and the 15 Best Things to Do on Mitiaro.

1. Akapa Beach

This long white-sand beach just south of Mangarei village is a great place to stretch your legs, take a picnic and explore the reef at low tide. There is a coral cove just in front of the track that brings you onto Akapa Beach, if you want to try your chances at snorkelling, or admire the view of the fish through the crystal-clear water.

Location: West coast of Mitiaro, approximately 1 km (0.6 mi) south of Mangarei village centre. The track down to the beach is wide and easy to spot.

2. Te Ara (Tia’ara) Beach

Just south of Akapa Beach, Te Ara, also known as “Tia’ara,” is a tiny sandy cove that offers the perfect picture opportunity!

Location: West coast of Mitiaro, just south of the cemetery, a few hundred metres south of Akapa Beach.

3. Omutu Landing

While not strictly a beach, sandy shores can be found on either side of the concrete walls of Mitiaro’s harbour at low tide. Heading north from Omutu Landing, this is a spectacular place to enjoy a reef walk.

Alternatively, meet the local fishermen on the wharf and/or watch the sunset.

Location: West coast of Mitiaro, behind the Administration Centre in Mangarei village.

4. Kovea Beach

Practically, Mangarei‘s beachfront, Kovea is a long stretch of white sand north of Omutu Landing. Again, the reef walking here is spectacular, as is the sunset!

Check out more places to watch the sunset in the 10 Best Places to Watch the Sunset in the Cook Islands.

Location: West coast of Mitiaro, stretching north on the coast of Mangarei village.

5. Okarava and Okore Beaches

We couple these two northern beaches together because they’re so close you might as well visit them both (you accidentally might, anyway).

Located just behind the coral runway, Okarava Beach has trail access toward the eastern end of the runway, while you can access Okore Beach on a trail just a few metres past the eastern end of the runway.

Location: North coast of Mitiaro at the eastern end of the airstrip.

6. Te Unu Beach

The first of many idyllic tiny beaches on the east coast starts (or ends) in the south at Te Unu Beach.

Location: East coast of Mitiaro, near the turnoff for the cross-island road.

7. Nanamaru Beach

At high tide, Nanamaru Beach offers one of the best swimming beaches on Mitiaro.

Location: East coast of Mitiaro, just south of the southernmost dirt road turnoff to Rotonui lake.

8. Parava and Omapere Beaches

Although these beaches are approximately 1.5 km (0.9 mi) apart, we have coupled them together here because the reef walk between the two reveals many more stunning beaches and coves. To the south is the tiny Parava Beach, and to the north is the larger Omapere Beach. Either walk between the two at low tide or drive on the coast road!

Location: East coast of Mitiaro. Parava Beach is opposite the main turnoff toward Rotonui. Omapere is approximately 1.5 km (0.9 mi) further north, identified as one of the larger beaches of the area.

More About Beaches in Mitiaro and the Cook Islands

That’s it for the best beaches on Mitiaro! If you need more beaches in your life, check these out:

Finally, plan more of your Cook Islands bucket list using the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as the Cook Islands. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Raro’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

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