Cook Islands - Facts

Cook Islands FAQs

Pre-Arrival - Boat:   Cook Islands Customs and Biosecurity require an Advance Notice of Arrival which must be lodged at least 48 hours prior to arrival.   See Clearance for details.
Pre-Arrival - Crew:  All international visitors receive a 31 day visa on arrival. See Immigration for details.
Where can I enter?  Vessels must enter through designated Customs Ports. Currently, the only open ports are Rarotonga (Avatiu Wharf) and Aitutaki (Arutanga Port). All other ports are closed including Suwarrow Island.   However, it is possible to arrive at Penhryn/Tongareva (a Non - Customs Ports of Entry) but prior authorization MUST be granted by Customs Officials BEFORE arriving there.  See Clearance for details.
Are fees high to enter by yacht?   Customs, Health and Immigration all charge fees which are higher on weekends.    See Fees for current information.
What security concerns should I know about?    A safe and secure paradise but it is always good to stay aware.  See Security for more information.

Cook Islands Facts for Sailors

• Cook Islands is located between French Polynesia and American Samoa and it comprises 15 islands spread over an area of over half a million square miles of ocean. Avarua is a town and district in the north of the island of Rarotonga, and is the national capital.
• The Southern Group, of which Rarotonga is the main island, also comprises Aitutaki, Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke, and Mangaia. These are high and fertile and most of the 17,500 inhabitants live there.
• The Northern Group are the low coral atolls of Penrhyn, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Pukapuka, Nassau and Suwarrow, which is a national park. Also part of the Cooks are the atolls of Manuae, Takutea and Palmerston Island.
• The official languages are Cook Islands Maori and English. English is widely spoken on the island of Rarotonga, while Cook Islands Maori is predominantly used in the outer islands (Pa Enua).
• The Cook Islands unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar. For specifics see General Info.
• Cook Islands’ time is GMT-10 hours.
• The climate is pleasantly warm and sunny all year round with June to August being the cooler months. See Weather for more details.
• As most yachts sail to the Cook Islands from the east, a good time to plan one's passage is after the 14 July celebrations in Tahiti are over, as the first week of August is the time when the Cooks put on their own festivities around Constitution Day. Most of the action is in Rarotonga, but the other islands can be visited afterward.
• Aitutaki is a popular stop and yachts are always assured of a warm welcome there. This is the case in all of the Cook Islands and as elsewhere in the Pacific, the more remote the island the more enthusiastic the welcome.
• Repair facilities and services for yachts are limited to Rarotonga. See Yachting Essentials for more details.
• Be aware that the fee structure for visiting yachts took a big price hike in 2015. See fees for more details.