Populated since 1500 AD and ‘discovered’ in 1832 by the American ship Good Hope, Captain Patrickson originally named Manihiki, Humphrey Island. This flat island paradise rises only a few metres above sea level and sits on top of an underwater mountain which stands 4,000 m above the ocean floor. This triangular coral atoll is 1054 km north-northwest of Rarotonga, which is its centre for administration.

The inhabitants of this island have close relationships with their sister island, Rakahanga. The inhabitants of both islands traveled between the two on wooden boats and canoes in search of food. This often resulted in death due to the distance between each island and the fact that is was impossible to see either at the mid-way point.

The island is made up of a string of coconut palm covered islets and is shaped around the rim of a lagoon, 4km across. The lagoon is home to the black pearl, and most of the islanders are involved in farming the black-lip pearl oyster; the Cook Islands’ most important export. A survey carried out for the Ministry of Marine Resources in 2000 recorded 111 pearls farms covering 7 km sq.

When to go: The hurricane season is from November to April so it’s best to avoid this period. Population: 1,000. Don’t miss: A multitude of different types of coral and fish makes for spectacular diving in the region. Photos by: Grillsovs