Vai Tango

Vaitaongo Cave - Vai Tanga - Tanga Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Mauke island. 10 minute/500 m walk from north end of Ngatiarua. (-20.146622, -157.341453)
Open:	no restrictions. [2022]
Fee:	free. [2022]
Classification:	Cenote Karst cave
Light:	none, bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The easiest cave to reach, and one of the larger ones on the island for swimming, is Vai Tango. It is a short walk from the village of Ngatiarua (population 440). The crystal blue pool may look small, but scuba divers have found that it extends more than 100 m back and 50 m across under the surface.

Text from George Szentes (2004): Caves of the Cook Islands, The British Caver Vol. 127 Spring 2005, pp 1-12, 13 color pictures, 1 bw picture, 1 map. With kind permission of the author.

Vai Tanga (Tanga Cave) seem to be called Vai Tanga Cav recently. It is reached on a 500 m long trail through the tropical rain forest. Wit only 5 minutes walk this bathing spot is the most popular on the island. There is a platform made of cellar grill and crystal clear blue-green water. Accessible off the main road in Ngatiarua, ask locals where the trail starts. The swimming spot is included on most tours around the island.