Suwarrow - General Info

Select your download option below


Suwarrow National Park re-opened to visiting yachts on June 1st 2023 after being closed for several years – but is NOT an official port of entry.

See Cook Islands/Formalities for a list of ports of entry and entry protocols.

Pre-application to visit Suwarrow must be made in advance, however, reports from cruisers 2023 are that many requests are being denied – see Suwarrow clearance for details.

 

Description:

Suwarrow was for many years the home of a New Zealand hermit, Tom Neale, who wrote of his life in a book “An Island to Oneself”. Today, caretakers live on the atoll for most of the year, their solitude disturbed only by visiting yachts! The caretakers acts as immigration, biosecurity and customs officers for visiting vessels and ensure that everyone complies with the National Park rules and regulations.

The caretakers live on the Island from May to November (the Suwarrow National Park officially opens on 01 June) and a Cook island flag is flown from the flagpole on the jetty when the caretakers are there, and taken down each day at sunset.

A cyclone shelter (two story building) was built to safeguard the Officers during their stay on Suwarrow. The foundation houses a big water catchment tank that takes water off the large steel roof. The first floor is open and serves as the living area and the officers office.

Supplies for the caretakers, such as fresh veggies, eggs, fruit and fishing lures would be greatly appreciated. Just sharing a few meals on the beach over some beers, or joining in a musical session, would also be enjoyed, however, there is a time restriction of 7pm unless permission is granted by the Park Ranger.

Entrance Notes and Cautions:

The pass is wide and lines up with Entrance Island on the other side of the lagoon. From 13º14.5S 163º06.0W a course of 178ºT will take you through most of the pass. The depth goes down to 5 meters then increases just before reaching South Reef, situated in the center of the inner end of the pass. This can be seen just below the surface if the light is good and waves will break on it if there is a swell. It is possible to turn to starboard once clear of the Anchorage Island Reef, and pass between it and South Reef. Or turn to port leaving South Reef to starboard and go around it, before turning towards the anchorage.

Anchoring is only permitted at Anchorage Island. The Park Rangers has a designated anchorage point. Other islet are off-limits to all vessels.

August 2014 saw a 47ft Amel beached on the reef when their anchor chain broke – a reminder of how exposed this anchorage can be in bad weather.

Position:

13° 14’28″S, 163° 06’01″W

Read and Post Related Comments

If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at [email protected]. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).


Select your download option below


Next Section: Profile: Clearance

Suwarrow was last updated 8 months ago.

Related to following destinations: , ,


YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.

YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.

Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.

Buy Now On YachtFlags.com

YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.

YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.

Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.

Buy Now On YachtFlags.com

You must Login or Register to submit comments.

  1. August 1, 2023 at 11:25 AM
    TRINITY20 says:

    We asked as requested customs in advance with the form for permession to enter Suwarrow and it was denied without a reason. Two weeks earlier a friend of us sailed directy to Suwarrow and had no problems to clear in and out with the park ranger without the pre-permission of cutoms.

    1. August 2, 2023 at 10:02 AM
      profile photo
      Sue Richards says:

      Thank you for this feedback, however, Suwarrow Island is NOT a nominated Customs Port of Entry and authorization to go there MUST be obtained from the Controller of Customs in advance. Failure to arrive without authorization is a criminal offense punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding $100. Customs officers may also elect to detain/seize your craft pending prosecution. As far as Noonsite is aware the rules have not changed, however, we are seeking an official response from the Controller of Customs.

  2. June 21, 2019 at 1:29 AM
    timdchapman says:
  3. May 30, 2015 at 1:52 AM
    Data Entry2 says:

    Please note that we undertook a rat eradication exercise on Suwarrow 2 years ago, with help from the Critical Ecosystem Protection Fund and the European Union. We ask all yachts to be very vigilant that they do not bring any rats or mice to Suwarrow.

    This is a very important bird breeding ground for the Pacific Islands, and we need to keep it rat-free. We also ask that boats are sprayed for other invasives, such as fire ants, or anything else that could destroy our paradise!

    If you have any suggestions about how to spread this message out to all yachts that visit Suwarrow, please let us know at [email protected] (Te Ipukarea Society, Birdlife International partner in the Cook Islands)

  4. September 30, 2014 at 9:05 AM
    Data Entry2 says:

    Lisa was in Suwarrow in August 2014 – her blog has some useful info: http://lisadorenfest.com/2014/09/17/suwarrow/

Click to access the login or register cheese