Palmerston : Profile

Location

This remote atoll is one of the friendliest place cruising sailors will encounter during their voyage. The descendants of William Marsters, who settled this atoll in 1860 with his 3 wives, then 17 kids and 54 grand-kids, have traditionally welcomed seafearers.

The island is very isolated and a supply boat only comes once every 3-5 months. The islanders therefore appreciate it if yachties are able to carry packages (food) if coming from Aitutaki or Rarotonga. Anyone willing can contact Joseph Marsters (see contact info. below) to make arrangements.

Gifts of fishing hooks and lures, school supplies or staples are very much appreciated.

The Palmerston Island Yacht Club (Bill Marsters) offers a varity of services to yachties including laundry etc. In general, just make your needs known and the islanders will find means to accomodate you.

Palmerston Island Website.

Clearance

Arrival

Locals monitor VHF 16 24h/day so they can assist you for your landing.

On approach (maximum 15nm) call one of the following on Ch. 16:
ALPHA GOLF = BOB MARSTERS
PALMERSTON YACHT CLUB = BILL MARSTERS
ECHO 5 LIMA - Palmerston Radio = JOSEPH MARSTERS

Someone will come out to hook you up to a mooring, or assist with anchoring, and will arrange for the officials to check you in, which takes place on the boat.

Clearance

Palmerston is not an official port of entry, but the islanders have been allowed (by customs & immigration, Cook Islands) to give yachts clearance to stay at Palmerston for a maximum of three days. Yachts pay the normal fees that would have been charged at a port of entry, plus a small fee the local government imposes to help with the development of the island (2011: 5 NZD per person).

Yachts visiting Palmerston who have already cleared into the Cook Islands, are welcome to stay for as long as their permit allows them, but still have to pay the local government fee.

Crews must remain onboard until check in is complete. Note that officials do not work on Sundays, in which case you will have to wait until Monday to clear in.

Note: Noonsite received a report in July 2011, that a yacht which had not already cleared into the Cook Islands was not permitted to stay at Palmerston. In his reply to our query, Joseph Marsters says that they were instructed by the officials in Rarotonga not to give clearance to this particular yacht. No reason was given for this instruction.

Last updated September 2011.

Joseph Marsters
Telecom Cook Islands Ltd, Palmerston Office
Tel:+682 37680, Fax:+682 37683, VHF Channel 16 - Call sign: ECHO 5 LIMA - Palmerston Radio
telecom@palmerston.net.ck

Docking

The anchorage is on the lee (W) side of the atoll, has a depth of 30-50ft, coral bottom extending away from the fringing reef so by choosing well your spot, you could swing 360 degrees without problems.

There are 8 moorings available, all are private and normally cost 10 NZD per day but this is negotiable. These make anchoring in Palmerston much less stressful, particularly if a West wind blows.

At peak periods there may be no moorings available, or you may be requested to move off them and anchor.

Always call as instructed above on approach, and you will be guided as to which buoy to pick up, or where to anchor.

Last updated April 2011.