Suwarrow - General Info
CLOSED UNTIL JUNE 1, 2023
While the Cook Island’s maritime borders reopened on 1 May, 2022, Suwarrow National Park remains closed. No approval will be granted to any vessel seeking to visit Suwarrow until June 1, 2023.
All vessels entering the Cook Islands must land at either Avatiu Port, Rarotonga, or Arutanga port, Aitutaki. See Cook Islands/Formalities for entry protocols.
Description:
Suwarrow was for many years the home of a New Zealand hermit, Tom Neale, who wrote of his life in a book “An Island to Oneself”. Today, caretakers live on the atoll for most of the year, their solitude disturbed only by visiting yachts!
The caretakers live on the Island from May to November (the Suwarrow National Park officially opens on 01 June) and a Cook island flag is flown from the flagpole on the jetty when the caretakers are there, and taken down each day at sunset.
A cyclone shelter (two story building) was built to safeguard the Officers during their stay on Suwarrow. The foundation houses a big water catchment tank that takes water off the large steel roof. The first floor is open and serves as the living area and the officers office.
Supplies for the caretakers, such as fresh veggies, eggs, fruit and fishing lures would be greatly appreciated. Just sharing a few meals on the beach over some beers, or joining in a musical session, would also be enjoyed, however, there is a time restriction of 7pm unless permission is granted by the Park Ranger.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
The pass is wide and lines up with Entrance Island on the other side of the lagoon. From 13º14.5S 163º06.0W a course of 178ºT will take you through most of the pass. The depth goes down to 5 meters then increases just before reaching South Reef, situated in the center of the inner end of the pass. This can be seen just below the surface if the light is good and waves will break on it if there is a swell. It is possible to turn to starboard once clear of the Anchorage Island Reef, and pass between it and South Reef. Or turn to port leaving South Reef to starboard and go around it, before turning towards the anchorage.
Anchoring is only permitted at Anchorage Island. The Park Rangers has a designated anchorage point. Other islet are off-limits to all vessels.
August 2014 saw a 47ft Amel beached on the reef when their anchor chain broke – a reminder of how exposed this anchorage can be in bad weather.
Position:
13° 14’28″S, 163° 06’01″W
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Related to following destinations: Cook Islands, Northern Group (Cook Islands), Suwarrow
Port Navigation
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The correct link for the customs form for permission to visit Suwarrow is http://www.mfem.gov.ck/images/Form_27_-_Cook_Island_Border_Agencies_application_for_marine_craft_to_arrive_at_or_depart_from_a_place_outside_of_a_designated_Customs_Port.pdf
Please note that we undertook a rat eradication exercise on Suwarrow 2 years ago, with help from the Critical Ecosystem Protection Fund and the European Union. We ask all yachts to be very vigilant that they do not bring any rats or mice to Suwarrow.
This is a very important bird breeding ground for the Pacific Islands, and we need to keep it rat-free. We also ask that boats are sprayed for other invasives, such as fire ants, or anything else that could destroy our paradise!
If you have any suggestions about how to spread this message out to all yachts that visit Suwarrow, please let us know at info@tiscookislands.org (Te Ipukarea Society, Birdlife International partner in the Cook Islands)
Lisa was in Suwarrow in August 2014 – her blog has some useful info: http://lisadorenfest.com/2014/09/17/suwarrow/