E51MWA Team will be active from Manihiki Atoll, IOTA OC - 014, 9 - 20 October 2025.
Team - N7QT, WA7CPA, N7JP, KC7EFP, N9ADG, KN2P.
Recent DX Spots E51MWA
E51MWA Log search They will operate on HF Bands, CW, SSB, FT8.
DXCC Country - North Cook Islands, E5/N.
More information later.
Pearl Island: Manihiki
Manihiki Atoll is part of the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean and is a completely flat coral reef with a total area of about 5 square kilometers. Despite its small size, Manihiki is famous worldwide for its unique farm where natural black pearls are cultivated. Apart from Manihiki Atoll, the only other suppliers of this valuable gem to the world market are the islands of French Polynesia.
Like most other islands in Oceania, Manihiki has a little-studied history. It is known that the first settlers arrived here in the early 14th century — they were forced migrants from neighboring islands. Permanent settlements on Manihiki were only established in the 18th century, under the influence of European missionaries. At that time, two small villages were founded here: Tauhunu and Tukou. To this day, they are the only settlements on the atoll where the few tourists and travelers who visit can stay.
Manihiki Atoll, Cook Islands.
Daily life and politics
For the civilized world, the Cook Islands and the Manihiki Atoll appeared on the map after the first visit of Christian missionaries in the mid-18th century. Since then, Manihiki has been used as a staging post for whalers and sailors who stopped here to rest and replenish their supplies. By the end of the 19th century, Manihiki, along with the rest of the archipelago, became part of New Zealand, and in 1965, it declared its independence. Today, the Cook Islands are in free association with their neighbor, maintaining their own political and economic systems.
The indigenous population of the atoll numbers no more than 300 people. They all live either in two villages or in close proximity to pearl farms, near the central lagoon. Unfortunately, the current economic situation is not favorable for the pearl business. Despite high quality and steady demand, incomes are gradually declining due to the crisis and high costs. This has led to a migration trend, with residents gradually leaving Manihiki for neighboring atolls or New Zealand. The remaining settlers are fully employed on pearl farms, and only a few are engaged in fishing or tourism.
The climate and flora of Manihiki are fairly typical for Oceania. The island is covered with a shallow layer of poor sandy soil, on which only the most undemanding plants grow: coconut palms, laurel trees, and shrubs. From November to April, the atoll experiences a rainy season with strong storm winds. The average air temperature ranges from +21 degrees in winter to +28 degrees in summer.
Manihiki Atoll. Author - Julian May.
What to see and what to expect
Manihiki is considered the northernmost island of the archipelago and is a small atoll formed by coral deposits. The atoll has a uniform shape in the form of a closed trapezoid and rises above the ocean to a maximum of 4 meters.
The average height of Manihiki does not exceed two meters: during strong storms, waves roll freely across its entire territory, which may frighten visitors who are not used to this.
In its center is a deep lagoon protected from external currents — this is where the locals grow valuable pearls. The lagoon's aquatic world is completely isolated: clean, calm water, the absence of predators and foreign inclusions create an ideal microclimate for the reproduction of rare mollusks. The pearl “harvest” is collected no more than once a year using a gentle harvesting technique. When the pearl is removed, the mollusk itself is not injured and is released back into the sea.
Since the lagoon has no outlet to the open ocean, it is considered completely safe for scuba diving, which attracts divers from all over the world. Unfortunately, there are no rental companies or training schools for equipment rental on Manihiki, so all equipment must be brought from neighboring islands. Local residents carefully monitor the cleanliness of the water and the condition of their pearl farms, so you will need to undergo special training and obtain official permission to dive.
Manihiiki is unofficially recognized as the most beautiful and peaceful island in the archipelago. There is no tourist infrastructure, shops, or attractions here. People come here for solitude on deserted coral beaches, amazing underwater dives, and, of course, pearls. Surprisingly, the atoll has its own airport, making it possible to get here in a couple of hours.
It is worth noting that the locals do not consider tourism to be a profitable economic niche, so living conditions on Manihiki are spartan: there are no five-star hotels or private villas. When planning a trip to the atoll, you should take into account the unpredictable nature of the Pacific Ocean. Flights are often delayed due to bad weather or storm warnings, so your return trip may be delayed by several days or more.
