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Northern Atolls
Cook Islands
cook islands travel guide
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The remote Northern Group of islands comprise of six huge low lying lagoons some 1500 kilometres north of Rarotonga and seldom visited by outsiders. There are a only a couple of government initiated guesthouses to stay at in the entire Northern Group, although it is possible to arrange family stays on all islands through Air Rarotonga or Taoi Shipping when booking transfers. Air Rarotonga offer a twice monthly tours of Manahiki, Pukapuka and Penryn lasting one week and include accommodation.
Manihiki, 750 miles north of Rarotonga, supports the largest population in the Northern Group with around 1000 people. Manihiki is the centre for black pearl farming and you'll see quite a few fully serviced houses propped up on stilts in the centre of the lagoon. There are a few villages an the islets around the lagoon, several shops and a Post Office, radio station and hospital at Tahunu Village. Penryn, in the far north, is the largest atoll, being seven miles wide and fifteen long. It too has some amenities and an excellent harbour making it popular for passing yachts. Passing yachties should obtain clearance from the government station based at Omaka Village on Moananui.
Suwarrow also has good anchorage and is the most remote island in the group. It was uninhabited until Tom Neale obtained permission from the government to live there in 1952. For 15 of the next 25 years of his life, Neale survived alone and his book An Island to Oneself, was published in 1966. Suwarrow today in managed by a caretaker and his family who live on Anchorage Island. Visiting yachties can obtain a three day pass to Suwarrow from the caretaker, although all journeys to the islets must be accompanied by the caretaker. These islets are important breeding grounds for millions of sea birds including sooty terns, tropic birds and boobies. If you start you journey in Rarotonga, a 31 day pass can be obtained.
Pukapuka and Rakahanga are also lagoon islands with air strips and only Nassau is a small sand bank with a treacherous reef with no passage and no lagoon.
Palmerston is theoretically part of the Southern Group but it is 310 miles to the north of Rarotonga. It was settled by Englishman William Marsters in 1863 and its population of 50 are all descendants from him and his three Polynesian wives. Olde English is still spoken on the island.
Getting There
Air Rarotonga offer weekly flights to Manihiki, Penrhyn and Pukapuka which all take about 3hrs 30mins from Rarotonga costing about NZ$600 one way. A cheaper but much slower option (up to five days) is cabin or deck passage on one of the cargo boats operated by Taoi Shipping.
search for ... Northern Atolls Accommodation
find ... Cook Islands Tour Companies
back to ... Rarotonga Island
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Fiji Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
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