The makatea on Atiu is actually fossilized coral formations that were once a wide coral reef encircling Atiu. Some 100,000 years ago due to geographical upheavals, Atiu was raised some 20 meters up out of the sea, causing the coral to form a new coastline of jagged sharp cliffs and hills. The makatea of Atiu today is home to numerous limestone caves and fascinating stalagmite and stalactite formations making caving on Atiu a spelunker’s dream.

A wonderful island to visit, if you are interested in spelunking, the caves on Atiu are excellent to explore. While some of the caves are quite small, others are large with plenty of exploration opportunities. If you are going caving on Atiu make sure you take a torch with you and wear good strong sturdy shoes as the makatea is very sharp and can often injure you quite seriously if you are not careful.

Presently, there are many caving tours on Atiu easily available and for an affordable price. Lasting between two to three hours, you will need a guide to go caving, as well as take permission before you enter a cave, since many of these caves were once burial sites.

The Te Ana O Rakanui is an extensive cave with a lot of entrances and exits. You definitely need a guide out here as you can easily get lost. Located close to the airport, this cave is also a burial site, so look out for visible human skeletons as you go exploring here.

In the southeast of Atiu the Anatakitaki is another cave definitely worth exploring. Also called the Cave of the Kopekas, many tiny birds known as kopekas nest and live here. As you enter into this cave, you will almost immediately hear these birds chattering and chirping. This is done so that the kopekas can find their way in the dark cave.

The Rima Rau is a small burial cave in the southwest of Atiu. Difficult to reach as you have to make a vertical entrance into the cave, you will find numerous human bones here as well as deep cold water pool.