Palaha Cave

Palaha is a cave on Niue's northwestern coast with a wide mouth opening toward the sea and a chamber inside hung with large stalactites and columns, reached on a short walk down from the road. The sea washes into the outer part at high water. It is one of a run of caves and chasms along this coast, and one of the easier to get into. The whole western coast is honeycombed with caves of this kind, formed when the island stood at a different level relative to the sea. Several are entered from the sea tracks that run down from the road.

What you actually see

• The stalactites - the large formations hanging through the chamber.
• The sea-facing mouth - the wide opening looking out over the water.
• The columns - the joined formations reaching floor to roof.
• The short access - an easy walk down from the road.

When to go

May to October is the dry season. Tide affects the outer chamber. Cyclone season runs November to April.

Honest expectations

The rock is sharp and slippery and shoes matter. There is no lighting beyond what comes through the mouth. There are no facilities.

Nearby

Avaiki is south, and Talava is north.