Cook Islands
From CruisersWiki
Cook Islands Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for sailing around the Cook Islands.
| Cook Islands | |
 Cook Islands | |
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| Capital: | Avarua 21°12′S, 159°46′W
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| Language: | English, Cook Islands Māori |
| Currency: | New Zealand Dollar (NZD) & Cook Islands Dollar |
| Timezone: | UTC-10 |
| More notes about the country | |
 Latest News
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| Content - news items, etc. | |
The Cook Islands are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. The fifteen small islands in this South Pacific Ocean country have a total land area of 240 square kilometres (92.7 sq mi), but the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers 1.8 million square kilometres (0.7 million sq mi) of ocean.
The Cook Islands are in the South Pacific Ocean, north-east of New Zealand, between French Polynesia and Fiji. There are fifteen major islands, spread over 2.2 million square kilometres of ocean, divided into two distinct groups: the Southern Cook Islands, and the Northern Cook Islands of coral atolls.
The islands were formed by volcanic activity; the northern group is older and consists of six atolls (sunken volcanoes topped by coral growth).
Describe the cruising/sailing in the region.
Climate & Weather
The climate is generally warm (not too hot). The rainy season (and cyclone season) is from December to March. April to November are the winter months and the SE trade winds prevail - sudden squalls from various directions can occur during this period.
Sources of weather forecasting here.
Charts
- Land Information NZ
- NZ93 Cook Islands (1:1500000)
Topographic maps are also available for download.
Any navigation notes here.
Local Radio Nets
- Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Arrival/Departure procedures
On arrival (at a port of entry) the skipper must present the following:
- All passports
- A clearance certificate from the last port
- A detailed crew list
- Ship's papers and details of the yacht.
The vessel will undergo a quarantine and health inspection.
Prior permission must be obtained from Customs and Immigration to visit any islands in the group that are not listed as ports of entry. When visiting these "other" islands you must report to the local Administrator, if present, on arrival.
Note:
- Special permission must be obtained BEFORE visiting Suwarrow National Park.
- Cruising yachts are not allowed to remain in the Cook Islands during the cyclone season (December to March), and transiting yachts may not even be allowed to overnight in a port during this period.
For further local maritime information contact: The Harbour Master, Ports Authority, PO Box 84, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Ph:+682 28814, Fax:+682 21191. Email
Immigration
A permit for up to 31 days will be issued on arrival (at a port of entry). For extensions, application must be made at Immigration in Rarotonga who can issue additional 30 day permits on a month to month basis with a maximum of an additional 5 months. Application must be made 14 days before expiry of current permits.
It is possible to stay longer than 6 months by prior application from your home country (before arrival in the Cook Islands). Application must be made to:
The Principal Immigration Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, PO Box 105, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Ph: +682 29347, Fax: +682 21247, Email
Customs
- All firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival and will be held in custody until your departure.
- Any fruit or plants will be confiscated. Canned foods will be accepted and possibly frozen and vacuum packed products, after declaration and inspection by Customs. (Note: Good local fruit and produce is available)
- PETS: Only pets from rabies-free countries will be admitted to the Cook Islands (Australia, New Zealand and Fiji). There are no quarantine facilities on the Islands and no Veterinarian. An Import Permit can be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and must include - a declaration of where the pet has been for the previous 3 months and that it has not been in contact with any animal suffering from an infectious or contagious disease. Dogs must have been treated wih Praziquantel (Droncit) within 7 days of leaving Australia, New Zealand or Fiji and with Pyrantel Pamoate (Cannex) not more than 48 hours before the scheduled date of departure from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. A valid Health certificate must state that the pet has been examined within 48 hours of travel and found to be free from clinical signs of infectious and contagious disease and external parasites. For further information contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands. Email
Ports & Popular Stops
- Northern Group:
- Southern Group:
- Aitutaki (Port of entry)
- Atiu Island (Port of entry)
- Palmerston
- Rarotonga (Port of entry)
Suggested Circuit/Route Through the Group
Describe
Routes/Passages To/From the Cook Islands
Also see Trans Pacific ("Puddle-Jump") - East to West
Health
Try not to eat snappers, they may give you ciguatera. Mosquitos are mostly a nuisance, though every few years there is a dengue fever outbreak in the wet season. No malaria, or other serious tropical diseases to worry about, (but do take dengue fever seriously during outbreaks).
Security
Details?
Transportation
Transportation to mainland or other countries, etc.
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | South Pacific | Cook Islands | |
