Cook Islands - Facts
- Pre-arrival information: Cook Islands Customs and Biosecurity require an Advance Notice of Arrival. See Formalities for all the details.
- Cook Islands is located between French Polynesia and American Samoa and it comprises 15 islands spread over an area of over half a million square miles of ocean. Avarua is a town and district in the north of the island of Rarotonga, and is the national capital of the Cook Islands.
- The Southern Group, of which Rarotonga is the main island, also comprises Aitutaki, Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke, and Mangaia. These are high and fertile and most of the 18,500 inhabitants live there.
- The Northern Group are the low coral atolls of Penrhyn, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Pukapuka, Nassau and Suwarrow, which is a national park. Also part of the Cooks are the atolls of Manuae, Takutea and Palmerston Island.
- Cook Islands has a population of around 17,500.
- The official languages are Cook Islands Maori and English. English is widely spoken on the island of Rarotonga, while Cook Islands Maori is predominantly used in the outer islands (Pa Enua).
- The Cook Islands unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar. For specifics see General Info.
- Cook Islands’ time is GMT-10 hours.
- The climate is pleasantly warm and sunny all year round with June to August being the cooler months. See Weather for more details.
- As most yachts sail to the Cook Islands from the east, a good time to plan one’s passage is after the 14 July celebrations in Tahiti are over, as the first week of August is the time when the Cooks put on their own festivities around Constitution Day. Most of the action is in Rarotonga, but the other islands can be visited afterward.
- Aitutaki is a popular stop and yachts are always assured of a warm welcome there. This is the case in all of the Cook Islands and as elsewhere in the Pacific, the more remote the island the more enthusiastic the welcome.
- Repair facilities and services for yachts are limited to Rarotonga. See Yachting Essentials for more details.
- Be aware that the fee structure for visiting yachts took a big price hike in 2015. See fees for more details.
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It is no longer possible to clear into the Southern Cook Islands at Palmerston Island. All yachts must first clear at an official port of entry before proceeding to Palmerston. Landing fees on the island have also increased from NZ$5 to NZ$10 per person. Cruisers should also note that Suwar-row in the Northern Cook Islands is closed until June 1st, 2023.
From Brent Crack and Mary Bevan:
The people of Rarotonga are so friendly and welcoming. Feels much like Rapa Nui or Pitcairn. Bananas have already been delivered without being asked for.
The yachting facilities/infrastructure absolutely sucks. They are not set up in any way for us. Oh well.
We had planned to stay longer but have a weather window straight to New Zealand so we will leave today.
AITUTAKI. Dredging has started to improve the entrance and Channel to the harbour. When finished, it will be 5m deep and 15m wide. The south and north basin either side of the wharf, will be 4m deep. The north basin will be for visitors. The south basin will provide space for local boats and visitors. Initially, visitors will anchor and tie back. When funds are available, moorings and shore facilities wil be provided.
The Cook Islands Ministry of Transport and sports and Tourism will publish correct marine information relating to access as more details are known mid-2022.