Rarotonga

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Revision as of 23:46, 21 June 2014

Rarotonga

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Rarotonga, Cook Islands

(Click links for more information)
	21°14′S, 159°47′W
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Map of Roratonga Island - click for larger view

Rarotonga is the most populated island of the Cook Islands and contains approximately 70% of the total population of the Cooks (2010 figures: approx 14,000 out of 17,000).

The capital of the Cook Islands, Avarua, and the main and only navigable port, Avatiu, are close together on the northern coast.

Rarotonga is a useful provisioning stop for sailors continuing on to elsewhere in the Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Niue and other places further west. Prices here are generally cheaper than in French Polynesia and it's about 4 days sail downwind from Bora Bora. Important trade relations are maintained with New Zealand, the local currency being the New Zealand dollar and imports from New Zealand, generally without additional tax, are plentiful.

Charts

LINZ -- Land Information New Zealand

NZ 9558 - Rarotonga

It's worth obtaining the latest edition of this chart (after 2013 publication) due to the realignment of Avatiu harbour.

Radio Nets

There are no specific radio nets for Rarotonga.

Rarotonga Radio maintains an occasional listening watch on VHF 16, and the port operations can be contacted on VHF 16 during working hours (8am to 4pm Monday to Friday).

Also see Cruiser's Nets

Weather

Local weather conditions?

Sources for Weather forecasts:

Approach and Navigation

The approach to Avatiu Harbour has been widened and deepened recently. Check the LINZ charts (New Zealand government office) for the latest details.

Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)

Enter the main harbour at Avatiu from the north. Contact harbour control on VHF 16 as you approach if it is within working hours.

Drop anchor about 40 to 50 metres from the southern end of the harbour and reverse in. Tie up, using your dinghy to take stern lines ashore if required. Leave the stern of your vessel approximately 5 to 8 metres from the harbour wall, using the dinghy to go to shore. There are aluminium steps on the dock which can be used.

Despite what some cruising guides say, do not buoy your anchor. An anchor buoy will present a hazard to large ships entering and leaving the harbour, and the harbour master will ask you to remove your anchor buoy.

Officials from the Ministry of Health, Agriculture (Quarantine), and Customs will visit your vessel (they are usually fairly quick to attend arrivals in working hours, or the next day if you arrive out of hours). Keep the Q flag flying until passed by quarantine. The customs officer will invite you to leave the vessel and complete the remaining paperwork at one of the tables near the nearby takeaway restaurant.

Berthing Options

Ports

Avatiu Harbour

Harbour Entrance at Avatiu - Click for larger view

Avatiu is the only port and main harbour in Rarotonga, near the main town of Avarua. The entrance has recently been widened and dredged, and so entry is fairly simple. The photo to the right shows the entrance cut.

Harbour at Avatiu - Click for larger view

The next photo shows the harbour, to the west of the entrance.

There is a daily fee for mooring in the harbour, depending on the length of the vessel. Shower facilities (including hot water) and toilets (bring your own toilet paper) are available downstairs of the harbour master's office, for a $30 fee of which $10 is a refundable key deposit. Water is available from a tap near the takeaway restaurant -- approximately 30 metres of hose will be required to reach the harbour wall. There is no electriciity available in the main harbour.

Avarua Harbour

Although marked on the charts as reasonably deep, there is no room for anchoring inside this small harbour, and it is entirely exposed to the elements.

Avana Harbour

The Mooring near Avana - Click for larger view

This harbour is generally only used as a bolt-hole in the case of strong northerly winds. Although there are no charts, a vessel of 1.8m draft or so should be able to make the entrance at high tide with a local guide. There is an excellent fish cafe on the beach which does a highly recommended fish sandwich.

Anchorages

There is no free anchoring at Rarotonga, except for berthing in the main harbour at Avatiu.

Offshore Islands

There are a few motus along the reef side of the lagoon across from Avana harbour. They are best visited by dinghy or kayak from the shore inside the lagoon, or take one of the cruise boats that operates inside Avana harbour.

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

There are no ships chandleries as such, however a number of stores have supplies that will be of some use.

• CITC Building Supplies, directly across the road from Avatiu Harbour
• Vonnia's Warehouse, on a side street off the main road towards Avarua
• Jaycar have an outlet about 1km west of Avatiu harbour
• 2 or 3 motor supply places around Avatiu or Avarua will supply oils, filters, lubricants, etc.

Gas bottle refils (butane only) are available from Origin Energy at Avatiu. When facing the port from the main road, there is a small service road to your right, this forks into two roads, one going to the main loading/unloading docks, and a smaller one to the right which goes around the back of the docks. Origin Energy are at the end of this smaller road. They are open 7 days per week and will fill a bottle on the spot.

Repairs/Yards

About the only yacht repairs available are via Keith Christian of Sail Rarotonga. See below under Cruisers Friends.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

Diesel and Petrol are available at a service station across the road from the main harbour at Avatiu

Water

Water is available from a tap behind the Palace Takeaway restaurant, adjacent to the harbour at Avatiu. A long hose will be needed. Opinions vary as to the quality of this water but I have found it to be quite drinkable.

Electricity

There is no electricity available in the main harbour at Avatiu but for short periods there is some at the inner (fishing boat) harbour. Pulling alongside the wharf between the main harbour and the inner harbour can be arranged -- speak to Keith Christian listed under Cruisers Friends.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Foodland Avarua is on the main watefront road in Avarua, approx 1.5km east of Avatiu harbour.
• The larger CITC supermarket is approximately 500m east of Avatiu harbour on the main waterfront road.
• Prime Foods outlet in town has meats and fruit/vegetables often available at discount prices.
• The Punanga Nui market operates next to Avatiu harbour on Saturday mornings. It is well worth visiting for fruit and vegetables, as well as the island market experience.

Eateries

• There are many small eateries near the port, offering various value meals, mostly based on the local favourites of Fish and Chips, Burger and Chips, etc.
• There are 2 takeaway fish and chip shops, one either side of the road adjacent to the port
• There are a range of small cafes, bar and grill, etc, in Avarua
• Trader Jacks bar and grill is famous for their pizzas
• Bamboo Jacks, a little further past Trader Jacks on the main road does good asian meals

Internet/WiFi

• There are various wifi hotspots in Avarua, including a couple of internet cafes
• For those who have a 3G mobile phone or device supporting a local hotspot, [Telecom Cook Islands does a reasonably good deal on prepaid 3G mobile data plans

Laundry

• Snowbird operate a laundry service in Avarua, their outlet can be hard to find as it's a couple of streets back from the main waterfront road. A load cost NZ$12 including washing, drying and folding
• Some guest houses and similar operate their own laundry services

Motorbike & Car Rentals

There are many motorbike and car hire places dotted along the road near Avatiu and Avarua, as well as elsewhere on the island. Prices range from $50 down to $15 or less per day, depending on the vehicle or bike.

Garbage Disposal

• There is a garbage bin (wire mesh frame) near the main harbour in Avatiu.
• Elsewhere around the island rubbish can be separated into recyclables and non-recyclables and deposited in the appropriate bins.

Transportation

There is a bus route that circles the island in each direction, running hourly until approximately 11pm on weeknights.

Routes/Passages To/From

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

• Keith Christian - [email protected]. Keith has a workshop not too far from the harbour at Avatiu and can be contacted regarding repairs of all types. He also has haul out facilities -- trailer and tractor type, but vessels up to 1.8m draft and 30 tonnes can be lifted. Ask around at the wharf or the fishing harbour to find Keith.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Rarotonga

References & Publications

Books, Guides, etc. Use the Reference template or not at your discretion. For example:

{{Reference|Rod Heikel|Greek Waters Pilot|Imray|Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire (2010)|9780852889718}}, expands to

Rod Heikell, Greek Waters Pilot, Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire (2010), ISBN 9780852889718

• Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
• Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number

You may want to remove the above entries and use instead a link to the Country or Region that lists the relevant references. If so enter, after removing {{MagentaText|xx}}, the following:

See [[Country or Region#References_&_Publications|Coutry or Region]].

If you do not use the above link, please remove it.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• Delatbabel -- I stayed here for 4 weeks in June 2014, rather longer than expected due to a torn sail and broken forestay.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• Delatbabel - Visit in June 2014.

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