Pola Island and Vaiava Strait

Pola Island, also called the Cockscomb, rises out of the sea off Vatia as a wall of rock several hundred feet high with almost no vegetation on its sides, and it holds a substantial seabird colony: boobies, noddies and frigatebirds nesting on the ledges. The strait between it and the shore was designated a national natural landmark. Boats can approach in calm weather and the view from the village and the ridge above is the usual one.

What's there

• The rock wall - a sheer stack rising several hundred feet from the sea.
• The seabird colony - boobies, noddies and frigatebirds on the ledges.
• The strait - the water between the island and the shore, a natural landmark.
• The ridge view - the outlook down over the island from the road above Vatia.

When to go

May to September is calmest for boats. Seabird nesting runs through the middle of the year. Swell prevents approach much of the time.

What to expect

Landing on the island is not permitted and boat approach depends on calm sea. Most visitors see it only from shore. There are no facilities at Vatia.

Nearby

Vatia is on the shore opposite, and Amalau Valley is west.