Manuae is an uninhabited atoll in the southern Cook Islands, lying about 100 km southeast of Aitutaki. It consists of two small islets — Te Au O Tu to the north and Manuae to the south — enclosed by a coral reef that forms a shallow turquoise lagoon. The total land area is barely 6 square kilometres, but the lagoon is considerably larger and stunningly beautiful.
The atoll is a protected nature reserve and an important breeding ground for seabirds, green turtles, and coconut crabs. Red-tailed tropicbirds, brown boobies, and frigatebirds nest here in large numbers, and the surrounding waters are rich with marine life. The Cook Islands government restricts access to protect the wildlife, so visiting requires a permit and is usually only possible on organised charter trips from Aitutaki.
There are no facilities, no permanent residents, and no regular transport. The atoll was once inhabited by Polynesian settlers and later used for copra production, but it has been left to nature since the mid-20th century. For the very few who make it here, Manuae offers an experience of genuine remoteness — a pristine Pacific atoll with no development and no other visitors.