Palmerston is in the southern Cook Islands, approx. 290 miles NW of Rarotonga. Palmerston Atoll has six motu scattered throughout a seven-mile-wide lagoon. The little islets, Palmerston, North Island, Lee To Us, Leicester, Primrose, Tons and Cooks, cover a total land area of about one square mile, but the coral reef is about 3,600 acres.
This remote atoll is one of the friendliest places cruising sailors will encounter during their Pacific voyage.
Although Captain Cook may have finally landed in 1777 having bypassed it in 1774, it is the descendants of William Marsters – a ship’s carpenter and barrel maker who arrived in 1863 with two Polynesian wives - who still populate the island today and have traditionally welcomed seafarers for many years.
Although Palmerston is administered by the Cook Islands government under the jurisdiction of New Zealand, all descendants regard the island as their ancestral home and in 1954 the family was granted full ownership of the island.
Once a rarely visited place, Palmerston Atoll attracted an unprecedented influx of 108 boats in 2010 (as reported in Jimmy Cornell's Global Survey) and continues to see a great many visitors for such a small island.
The Islanders are extremely friendly and every yacht is hosted by a different family for the duration of their stay. In general, just make your needs known and the Islanders will find means to accommodate you.
The island is very isolated and a supply boat only comes once every 2-3 months. The Islanders, therefore, appreciate it if cruisers are able to carry packages (food) if coming from Aitutaki or Rarotonga. Anyone willing should contact Palmerston Island Administration - email: palmerstonoffice@gmail.com, giving as much notice of the expected departure date as possible. The Island Administration will contact family members who will bring supplies for you to take to Palmerston (such as eggs, fruit, and vegetables). There are strict Biosecurity rules on Palmerston which must be followed if assisting with carrying packages. See Clearance for full details.
Gifts of fishing hooks and lures, school supplies or staples are very much appreciated.
Feedback from Cruisers who have visited Palmerston
18° 02'31"S, 163° 11'39"W
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