Rarotonga - General Info
Where is Rarotonga?
Rarotonga is the largest island in the southern group of the Cook Islands, about 2,100 miles (3,400 km) northeast of New Zealand. It is the vibrant center of the Cook Islands and is where the government resides. Volcanic in origin, circular in shape and only 32 km in circumference, the island is dominated by high mountain peaks from which lush rain forests provide a dramatic backdrop to a palm-fringed shore.
Avatiu has the only harbor on the island and is a port of entry.
Entrance Notes or Cautions:
The island is almost completely encircled by a reef and there is no navigable lagoon or free anchoring here.
Avatiu harbor underwent a huge realignment and dredging project to straighten the east quay and dredge the basin to 10m in 2012. The end result is a better arrangement for yachts, however, locals warn that the harbor is now even more exposed and open to the north winds and seas brought on by frontal passages, due to the additional dredging (luckily most of the weather comes from the ESE).
In strong northerlies or when strong winds are forecast, the harbour will be closed. Unfortunately, there is no other suitable shelter in strong winds.
Cruiser Highlights:
Friendly and welcoming people, good supplies and provisioning with reasonable pricing. See Reports for the latest information.
Position:
21° 12.06′ S, 159° 47.02′ W (Avarua harbour entrance)
Last updated: August 2023
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Related to following destinations: Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Southern Cook Islands
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Reported by Hugh Pilsworth:
Rarotonga:
There is only one harbor on the island, Avatui. It has no facilities for yachts. On approach, you call 16, harbourmaster. Don’t bother before 9 am as there’s no one in the office.
You are required to use your own anchor and moor Med style to the quay wall. There are large black tires about every 2 meters. To go ashore use your dinghy and go about 75 meters to a ladder around the corner, and it’s not that easy to get onto from a dinghy.
There is constant motion in the harbor from the prevailing SE trades, and you need a long bow line to shore to hold position when the bullets arrive. In northerly winds it is untenable.
There is a lot of dirt and dust blowing around and after 3 days the boat was filthy.
If you need any machine work done then Rarotonga Welding is excellent, and for the second-hand boat, parts ask for Keith, about 1 kilometer from the harbor. Garbage is collected 3 days a week, there are no bins.
The island is well worth a visit, and you will get clearance to visit the other islands without all the paperwork. Saturday morning market is well worth a visit. BlueSky is the phone and internet provider, both in town and the market.
The bureaucracy is maddening. In theory, all officials arrive close to each other. In fact, the health check was at 08.30, the Customs in the afternoon and Bio-Security never appeared. Harbor dues are $2.48 per foot per day, cash only in the harbor office, Customer worked out at $95 per person for a 3-day visit, they take cards in the office.
Immigration is at the end of town with the Customs. The health check was $40. All in all, almost $550 for the visit.
Would I go back? Probably not.
Departure tax is $66.30 p.p
Customs fees $ 57.20
Harbour dues $2.45 per meter (monohull) per day
Do not buoy your anchor in Avatiu harbor. It’s likely that the buoy will be in the way of shipping and you will probably be asked to remove it.
All their mooring information is correct; surge is a major problem if there is an N in the wind. All officials now come to the harbor, not Trader Jacks. Do not go ashore until you have permission! The harbormaster is a great guy, very helpful. Anthony sv Wild Fox
Andre Tuiravakai is the ports operation manager
Departure tax is now 65 dollars
27 meters is the air restriction