Sailing Guide to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Tips for Yachting

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Where to Sail in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is made up of 15 islands split into two island groups, the Northern Group and the Southern Group. Islands are quite dispersed compared to other island groups in the South Pacific, for example, Penrhyn (locally known as Tongareva) is 1,365km (848 miles) northeast of the nation’s capital, Rarotonga. Find out more about the different islands in What are the 15 Islands in the Cook Islands?

The Cook Islands can be included in Transpacific sailing itineraries, where most yachts approach from the east from Bora Bora or Tahiti in French Polynesia. The journey between Bora Bora to either Rarotonga or Suwarrow is approximately four days – see sailing times in How Long Does it Take to Sail to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands?.

Sailing Routes in the Cook Islands

Popular sailing routes in the Cook Islands include:

• The Southern Group – Start in Rarotonga and sail to either or both Aitutaki and Palmerston
• The Northern Group – Starting in French Polynesia, possible stops would be Penrhyn, Manihiki, Suwarrow and possibly Pukapuka
• Northern and Southern Groups – Start in Rarotonga and continue to Palmerston, Suwarrow and then Pukapuka.

Sailing to Penrhyn (Tongareva)

As one of the remotest atolls in the Cook Islands, the locals of Penrhyn are extremely welcoming to visiting yachts. Just remember to respect Sunday customs of not using dingies at all. Make sure that you also get permission before visiting other “motu” (islets) around the lagoon. There is a dock at the village of Omoka where you can anchor in calm weather and go through clearance.

Learn more about visiting Penrhyn in The Complete Travel Guide to Penrhyn.

Sailing to Suwarrow

Suwarrow is the Cook Islands’ only national park and offers a gorgeous anchoring point at the aptly named Anchorage Island. This is the only anchorage here permitted for visiting yachts. The atoll can only be visited between June 1 and November 1 each year. Bringing supplies to the park rangers/caretakers of the national park would be greatly appreciated.

Find out more about visiting Suwarrow in The Complete Travel Guide to Suwarrow.

Sailing to Palmerston

With a population of only 30-60 people, the community of Palmerston are extremely welcoming to visiting yachts, as their island is otherwise difficult to get to for visitors.

There are moorings on the lee side of the island where a small passage allows the island’s small boats to come and pick you up. You need to call Palmerston Island Administration on VHF Ch.16 with your approximate time of arrival.

Learn more about the pristine atoll in The Complete Travel Guide to Palmerston.

Sailing to Rarotonga

Rarotonga is the most populated island in the Cook Islands and the main service centre. Repair facilities and yacht services are limited to this island, so it’s a good place to start and stock up before long voyages – check out the Information, Shops & Services on Rarotonga for services that might be helpful.

Berthing instructions for the Avatiu Harbour can be obtained from the Harbour Master on VHF Ch.16 or through the Coast Station Radio Rarotonga (Call sign E5R). As for experiencing Rarotonga as a visitor, the island has a vibrant tourism industry with resorts, villas, plenty of places to eat, guided tours, hiking trails, dive shops and much more. Head to The Complete Travel Guide to Rarotonga to start planning your visit.

More Islands to Sail to in the Cook Islands

While those are our top picks for islands to sail to in the Cook Islands, be sure to compare all of your options in The Best Islands to Visit in the Cook Islands.

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Clearing Customs for Yachts in the Cook Islands

Cook Islands Customs requires that all yachts arriving in the Cook Islands from overseas must submit an Advance Notice Advice (ANA) form at least 48 hours prior to their ETA. This form is available at the Cook Islands Ministry of Finance & Economic Management website and must be returned to customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck using the file name format [ANA, name of craft, voyage or sail number if available, estimated time of arrival into the Cook Islands]. Failure to provide an ANA is a criminal offence.

Note that if you’re visiting Suwarrow before you’ve cleared at an official Cook Islands port of entry, then you are technically still allowed to anchor if you have provided a “Cook Island border agencies application for marine craft to arrive at or depart from a place outside of a designated Customs port” application via the same email above. You will still go through a clearance process and pay the appropriate fees.

Ports of Entry in the Cook Islands

The ports of entry in the Cook Islands are as follows:

• Rarotonga: Avatiu Harbour – 21o 12′ South, 159o 47′ West
• Aitutaki: Arutanga – 18o 51 South, 159o 49′ West
• Penrhyn: Omoka 08o 51′ South, 158o 03′ West
• Pukapuka: 10o 50′ South, 165o 50′ West
• Manihiki: Tauhunu – 10o 25′ South, 161o 03′ West
• Manihiki: Tukao – 10o 22′ South, 161o 02′ West
• Atiu: Taunganui – 19o 59′ South, 158o 08′ West

Yacht Clearance Process

On arrival to any port of entry in the Cook Islands, yachts must fly the yellow Q flag and report to Customs immediately. The skipper must present the passports, clearance from the last port, crew list, as well as a general declaration and details of the yacht: all paperwork that needs to be presented can be found in the Cook Islands Customs Service (CICS) Fact Sheet 2. All crew must remain on board until the boat is cleared.

For typical biosecurity restrictions, check out What to Declare When Arriving in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Immigration

Visitors get a free 31-day visa upon entry into the Cook Islands. Visas can be extended on a monthly basis up to a maximum of three months. Visa extensions must be applied for at least 14 days before the visa expires. Extensions can only be obtained on Rarotonga.

Find out more about the visitor visa in our guide to the Cook Islands Tourist Visa and How Long Can You Stay in the Cook Islands on a Visitor Visa?.

Domestic Cruising

All yachts are required to provide clearance papers for each island visited in the Cook Islands. Even if you have cleared immigration with the Ports Authority on Aitutaki or Rarotonga, you will need to go through an immigration, health, biosecurity and landing process (with fees) via the relevant Island Administration. Yachts may not visit any islands in the Cooks other than ports of entry without permission from Customs and Immigration.

For visiting Suwarrow, you should also obtain permission from the resident Park Administrator (National Environment Services), as well as complete the alternative Customs form mentioned above.

International Clearance

Yachts are required to inform Customs of clearance at least 72 hours before intended departure. CICS Fact Sheet 3 provides details on the forms that should be completed on departure. Once you have been issued a Certification of Clearance, you must leave immediately and not sail to another island in the Cook Islands.