Cook Islands - Clearance
Authorised Ports
- Currently there are only two authorised ports of entry – Avatiu Port, Rarotonga, or Arutanga port, Aitutaki. Note that the Customs website does not mention this, however, Cook Island Customs have confirmed that only Rarotonga and Aitutaki are open for visiting yachts at this time.
- Arrival and Departure Information for Marine Craft – MFEM
- Palmerston Island maritime border has now opened, but it is imperative that all sailing vessels planning to visit Palmerston clear into a designated port of entry first, before visiting Palmerston. It is no longer possible to clear in there. See Palmerston for details.
- Suwarrow is NOT a designated port of entry, although convenient if coming from the north. Prior authorization to visit must be obtained from the Controller of Customs. See Suwarrow for details.
- Cruisers report being able to clear in at Penrhyn (May 2023) without any advance notification. Read Cruising Report here.
Advance Notification:
All vessels must submit a Cook Islands Customs Service Form 29 – Small Craft Advanced Notification – at least 48 hours before entering Cook Islands waters.
E-mail to customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck, using the following format for the e-mail subject and files [ANA, the name of craft, voyage or sail number if available, estimated time of arrival into the Cook Islands], e.g. ANA, Banana Split, 30/11/2023.
Failure to complete and send this form is a criminal offense. For any urgent enquiries, please contact Customs House +682 29510.
You must also advise the Biosecurity Cook Islands of your arrival port and date, either by emailing the staff(s) of your planned destination or by e-mail to: moa.biosecurity@cookislands.gov.ck
Approval to berth or land must be sought through the Harbourmaster and clearance received from a Customs Officer.
- See Arrival and Departure Information for Marine Craft on the Government website.
- The Cook Islands Port Authority also have a Cruising Yacht Guide to the Cook Islands.
Ports of Entry:
Currently there are only two locations for maritime entry into the Cook Islands.
1) Avatiu Port, Rarotonga, or,
2) Arutanga port, Aitutaki. Note: if your vessel’s draft exceeds two meters, you may need to anchor outside the reef. Vessels with a draft less than two meters will be able to enter through the passage. Check with the Harbour Master as the channel was dredged in July 2023.
For further information, contact the Cook Islands Customs Service on email: customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck
General Process:
All vessels must fly the Q Flag.
Report to Customs immediately on arrival. All other crew must remain on board until the boat is cleared. The skipper must also contact Immigration (often provided by Customs) and Biosecurity. Failure to follow these rules is taken very seriously.
For a list of paperwork that must be presented see this Customs Arrival Facts sheet.
Yachts must leave the “Q” flag up until cleared by Port Health, who will visit the yacht and provide pratique.
Domestic Cruising:
It is a requirement for all yachts entering the Cook Islands at one of the official ports of entry to obtain clearance papers prior to visiting other islands in the Cook Islands.
You will be asked for an explanation as to why you wish to visit other islands.
When visiting all other islands following the port of entry, the captain should check in with Customs and the Resident Administrator, if present.
CLEARING OUT
International Clearance:
You should advise Customs at least 72 hours before your intended departure to ensure that there is no delay. Again, see this Customs Departure Facts Sheet for the appropriate forms that need to be completed and given to Customs on departure. If all forms are correct, they will issue you with a Certificate of Clearance. Once clearance is granted, you must leave immediately.
See Customs for a link to all Forms.
Under no circumstances can a yacht intending to depart to an overseas place to go to any other place in the Cook Islands following their departure from a nominated Customs Port of Entry or other authorized place. If due to extenuating circumstances, you are required to do so, you must immediately advise the Cook Islands Customs Service (24 hours) on phone: (+682) 55368.
Yachts Intending to Arrive at, or Depart from, Suwarrow Island:
Suwarrow Island is not a nominated Customs Port of Entry. Marine craft intending to arrive at or depart from Suwarrow Island must obtain authorization from the Controller of Customs in advance. See the Suwarrow Clearance section for more details.
Last updated: August 2023
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
Next Section: Formalities: Clearance Agents
Related to following destinations: Cook Islands
Country Navigation
Courtesy Flag Discounts
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.comMain Ports - Cook Islands
Courtesy Flag Discounts
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.comFormalities
Courtesy Flag Discounts
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
Why does this information conflict with the official government site linked to in the document and where does the Noonsite information come fom. The formalities here state that there are only two ports of entry, while the government site shows 8 ports of entry. The Cook Island Port authority also agrees with the Cook Island government site. Is this outdate Covid information?
Dear Wray,
Firstly, thanks for joining Noonsite and for making contact with us.
When reviewing formalities for any country, please take a look at the “last updated” date. Each clearance section has this. You will see the Cooks were updated last month.
All our formalities are checked with official sources. Official websites can often be out of date, very much the case with the Cooks. We always verify with the authorities themselves to get the latest “from the horses mouth”.
The Cooks Islands Customs department confirmed with us just last month that only 2 ports of entry are open for small craft at this time – full details in the Formalities section – https://www.noonsite.com/place/cook-islands/view/clearance/.
Of course, information does go out of date quickly and things are always changing, so do drop us a line if you want to double check information on the site at any time.
And it goes without saying, that a quick email, or posting a comment on the country page, to confirm the formalities were as outlined on Noonsite (or not, should this the be the case), is a HUGE help for us.
If I can be of further assistance – just let me know.
Sue
Palmerston Island Government with its multi-agency partners will be implementing a rat eradication project in July and August 2023. The bait laying phase of the project will take place during the month of August and the Palmerston Island Government has imposed a restriction on visitors to Palmerston during this month. Ships and sailing vessels (small crafts) are restricted from calling into Palmerston during this period until the restriction is lifted.
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.