Tauhunu lies on the southern rim of the Manihiki atoll, separated from Tukao by the open lagoon. Getting there from Tukao requires a boat — the crossing takes around twenty minutes. It is smaller than Tukao and sees even fewer outside visitors.
The village has its own church and a community hall, and the lagoon shore is lined with pearl farm equipment much as Tukao is. The character here is quieter and more self-contained; Tauhunu families have been farming pearls for generations and tend to keep their operation independent from the tourist-facing side of the industry.
Walking the islet — from one end of Tauhunu to the other — takes under half an hour. The reef on the ocean-facing side is accessible on foot at low tide and worth exploring for coral and fish life even without snorkelling gear.