Alofi - General Info
Where is Alofi?
Alofi is the capital of Niue and consists of the two villages: Alofi North and Alofi South where the government headquarters are located. It is located at the centre of Alofi Bay on the west coast of the island, close to the only break in the coral reef that surrounds Niue. The bay stretches for 30% of the island’s length (about seven kilometres) from Halagigie Point in the south to Makapu Point in the north.
Entrance Notes and Cautions for Alofi:
Approaching Niue there are two FAD positions for Alofi Bay. These fish aggregation rafts are lying low in the water and are unmarked. They are moored in 300 metres of water and while the GPS location is for the concrete attachment blocks below, the rafts swing on a wider arc than these marked positions. Please be aware of these FADs as there are no other impediments to your safe arrival to Niue.
See Yachting Essentials for the latest FAD positions.
Moorings are limited. End of May/early June and early July are busy times here as World ARC yachts stop here. It is best to avoid Niue when the Rallies are in town. Contact the NYC [nyc@niueisland.com] for exact dates.
Cruiser Highlights for Alofi:
Called the “Rock of Polynesia” as it pops up out of nowhere in the middle of the Pacific cruisers suggest calling it the “Friendly Rock” because of the friendly, enthusiastic islanders who genuinely love having “yacthies” visit their island.
With no rivers or lakes on the island, the water is crystal clear all year round. Swim with dolphins, see whales close up or snorkel in waters teeming with colourful fish, with one of the island’s licensed operators. Visit the biggest little yacht club in the world, or walk the many scenic tracks along the clifftops.
Position:
19° 3’11.80″S, 169° 55’23.16″W (moorings)
Last updated: June 2025
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Port Navigation
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We were utterly delighted with the assistance and knowledge of Keith and Terry. We picked up a mooring at night, no problem. Customs maintain a 24 hour radio watch on ch 16, call when you get there. Our experience landing in a SW swell was challenging. The concrete steps and ladders were well under water each time a swell came through. You need to install a sling to hoist your dinghy onto the concrete dock and nerves of steel when loading and unloading in a swell. Once the swell moved further south it was much more manageable and according to the locals we had just come at a particularly bouncy time!
FAD positions on approaching Niue
Alofi Nth.
Long. 169°55.229296 W
Lat. 19°02.326004 S
Alofi Sth.
Long 169°55.592968 W
Lat. 19°03.244836 S
Allow for a 500 metre swing radius
Keith
Niue Yacht Club
Niue Yacht Club
“The Biggest Little Yacht Club in the World”
An incredible group of volunteers – all non-sailors – have been helping out cruisers for over 40 years on the delightful, small Pacific atoll of Niue – lying on the direct route from French Polynesia to Vava’u in Tonga. The “Biggest Little Yacht Club in the World” (or Niue Yacht Club) has provided safe moorings, shoreside assistance, a club house and the warmest welcome anywhere to visiting yachts since 1975.
Just in time for the start of Cyclone season, Niue’s Maritime Borders have re-opened after three seasons with no entry to transiting yachts. While this is great news for cruisers planning a 2023 Pacific crossing, the length of border closure now means that the Niue Yacht Club is in trouble and may well be facing closure.
Fighting to find some solution to rising Government fees, lack of volunteers due to a very small adult population on Niue and no headquarters for the Club, long-time member Keith Vial has launched a search for a Commodore at Large for the 2023 cruising season.
For Niue to remain a destination for yachts crossing the Pacific, the legendary NYC must survive and get back on its feet, so now it’s the cruising communities’ turn to support the Club that has helped them so much over the years.
If you have been to Niue and enjoyed the NYCs hospitality, please e-mail keithvial@gmail.com with your support and let’s try and keep this cruisers’ paradise on the Pacific crossing map.