Suwarrow
From CruisersWiki
Suwarrow
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Suwarrow (also called Suvorov, Suvarou or Suvarov) is a low coral atoll in the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is about 1,300 km south of the equator and 825 km northwest of Rarotonga, from which it is administered.
A caretaker resides on Anchorage Island. The only way to visit the island is with a private yacht or by chartered expedition from Rarotonga.
Most of the small islets have only herbs and shrubs, with Pemphis acidula and beach heliotrope (Tournefortia argentea) growing in abundance. The larger islands have a dense interior vegetation of Cordia subcordata (tou); indeed, the westernmost island, Motu Tou is named after this woodland, its name literally means "high island".
Charts
- Land Information NZ
- NZ93 - Cook Islands (1:1500000)
- NZ945 - Suwarrow
Radio Nets
There are no radio nets specific to Suwarrow
Also see Cruiser's Nets
Weather
A daily weather forecast for the Cook Islands is issued by the Fiji meteorological service and is available for retrieval via saildocs.
See also Weather.
Suwarrow can only be visited between 1st June and 1st November each year. Earlier or later visits are not permitted. Prior permission is not required to visit Suwarrow. If you are departing Rarotonga for Suwarrow during the cruising season, call at the environment office in Avarua before departing Rarotonga to ask if the ranger needs anything brought to the atoll for him.
There is only one passage into the 60-mile long lagoon and this passage into the lagoon is fairly narrow - approach during daylight hours only. The approach is a dog-leg to the right with coral heads on either side. The approach is further complicated by a 2-3 knot cross-current, port to starboard. Once through the dog-leg to the right, it is a natural entrance to one of the most magnificent blue water lagoons in the world.
On arrival in Suwarrow the crew must dinghy into the beach and report to the local ranger. Frequently the ranger will visit boats in the anchorage that have arrived displaying the Q flag. You might try contacting the ranger on VHF 16 but as of recently the ranger's radio was only a handheld and not working particularly well (unable to be heard by most of the yachts in the lagoon).
As this is a National Park, it is required that the local ranger accompany any visitor to any of the "islands" around the lagoon. Note that the ranger doesn't take visitors to the other islands every year, only some years. When visits to the other islands are available it is done in the ranger's dinghy, and visitors are requested to provide sufficient fuel for the outboard.
Anchorages
Anchor in between about 12 to 20 metres of water off Anchorage Island. The anchorage is well protected from the prevailing winds, being easterly through south easterly throughout the cruising season (May to November). Occasional swings to the north east are generally OK but if the wind blows strongly from the west then it's best to leave the anchorage.
There are no other anchorages around the atoll -- yachts are not permitted to anchor or to travel elsewhere in the lagoon except the main anchorage.
Garbage Disposal
It is important to take all garbage with you when you leave.
Garbage including organic/compostable garbage cannot be disposed of in the lagoon or within 12 miles of the atoll. It may be preferable to store any compostable waste in a bag in the freezer for disposal overboard outside the 12 mile range.
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
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Names: Delatbabel |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | South Pacific | Cook Islands | Suwarrow | |
