Rarotonga
From CruisersWiki
Rarotonga
Background
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
Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's 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).
Weather
Local weather conditions?
Sources for Weather forecasts:
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
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.
Ports and Popular Stops
Avatiu Harbour
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.
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.
The Mooring
The Mooring is to the east of the island near Avana. Moorings are available for hire here and are cheaper than berths in the main harbour. There is an excellent fish cafe on the beach which does a highly recommended fish sandwich. I am not sure of any depth measurements in this area -- I have seen catamarans and other shallow drafted vessels in here but anything with much of a keel will likely be unable to enter.
Anchorages
There is no free anchoring at Rarotonga, except for berthing in the main harbour at Avatiu.
Tourism & things to do ashore
List places of interest, tours, etc.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Diesel and Petrol are available at a service station across the road from the main harbour at Avatiu.
- 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.
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.
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.
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, http://www.yellowpages.co.ck/ [Telecom Cook Islands] does a reasonably good deal on prepaid 3G mobile data plans.
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.
Marine Stores & Facilities
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.
Repairs
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
Popular passages/routes, timing, 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
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:
- Delatbabel - Visit in June 2014.
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Names: Delatbabel |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | South Pacific | Cook Islands | Rarotonga | |
