For boats
Aitutaki
lies 140 Nm north of Rarotonga. It is second
large and popular island.
Docking
Harbour
There is a
small harbour inside reef, but the pass is narrow (about 30m wide) and SHALLOW
(about 1,6m on HW) and insufficiently marked. Caution is urged before heading
in. Outflowing tidal currents can reach three to four knots, therefore the best
time to enter is just before high tide (least current). Good sunlight is your
friend.
There is
few white stick marks you should leave to port side. At the end the channel split
in two, the left (north) is deeper, the
last two white stick marks leave to starboard. Drop the anchor inside the harbour and tie stern
lines to the wharfs or trees. Keep clear of local boats.
Anchorage
If you boat
is too deep to enter inside the harbour you can drop the anchor outside the
reef, near the entrance. Bottom is coral, about 15m deep. Port authority says
that better place to anchor is located north from the entrance, but sailors
says, it is a cementary of anchors.
We droped
the anchor south of entrance on position:
18 51.28’ N and 159 49.49’W
(15m, coral)
This
anchorage is safe when NE-E-SE is blowing, other directions are denger (more
waves and to close to the reef barrier ).
Anchor hold
good, but it’s depend on your luck.
Formalities
Once
anchored outside or inside the harbour the captain should come ashore to clear
in.
The Customs
& Immigration officer may come out to the boat or you may check with him at
his office, in the post office building (cross the main road opposite to the
harbour).
If you
checked in before Aitutaki, just inform the Port Authorities (small building in
the harbour close to the main wharf).
You need to
check out before leaving Aitutaki, also if you not leave the country. Visit
Customs, Imigrations (the same officer do the papers) and Port Authority.
The General
rules are:
Ports of
Entry: Rarotonga: Avatiu
Harbour – 21.12S,
159.47W, Aitutaki: Arutanga – 18.51S, 159.49W, Penrhyn: Omoka – 08.51S, 15803W,
Pukapuka – 1050S, 16550W, Manihiki: Tauhunu – 10.25S, 161.03W, Manihiki: Tukao
– 10.22S, 161.02W, Atiu: Taunganui – 19.59S, 158.08W
ADVANCE
NOTICE OF ARRIVAL
All vessels
sailing to the Cook Islands are required to fill in an Advance Notice Advice
(ANA) with Cook Islands Customs, at least 48 hours prior to the expected
arrival time in the Cook Islands. ANA forms
can be downloaded at CICS Form 29 (http://www.mfem.gov.ck/images/documents/RMD_Docs/Customs/Forms/Craft/Forms/Sea_Craft/Form_29_-_Advance_Notice_Of_Arrival_Small_Craft.pdf).
Advance
Notices of Arrival must be provided to Customs by fax (+682 29465) or by email
(customs.craft@cookislands.gov.ck) using the file name format [ANA, name of
craft, voyage or sail number if available, estimated time of arrival into the Cook Islands], e.g. ANA, Ocean Spirit, 30/11/2014
Failure to
provide an ANA is a criminal offence.
You must
also advise the Biosecurity Cook Islands of your arrival port and date, either
by emailing the staff(s) of your planned destination. Email:
biosecurity@agriculture.gov.ck
Yachts must
hoist the "Q" flag up until cleared by Port Health, who will visit
the yacht and provide pratique.
Official
will be informed by Port Authority and visit the yacht. NOBODY goes ashore
before clearance is complete (or only captain directly to customs).
A permit
for up to 31 days will be given on arrival. This can be extended, on a monthly
basis, up to three months maximum. Fourteen days before the permit expires one
should apply for any extension. Proof of adequate funds may be requested for
extensions.
Customs
A list of
firearms must be produced on arrival and these will be impounded until
departure.
Animals
have to be confined on board until eventual clearance to land by the Quarantine
Officer.
Agriculture and Quarantine
Animals,
plants and fruit will be inspected. Some fruit and meat may be confiscated, so
it is advisable not to arrive with a lot of fresh supplies. All vessels
entering the Cook Islands require a Bio
Security Clearance which will be issued by the Quarantine Inspector when he
boards your vessel.
Health
Health
inspector will visit the yacht and provide pratique.
Imigration
In our case
there was no immigration officer on boat, all the papers was done by custom
officer.
There is
some fees to pay: Customs NZ$57.20, Health clearance NZ$25.00. Payment is Cash
only in NZD. If you have no NZ dollars you can pay later.
OUTWARD CLEARANCE
The day
before your intended departure, visit the Ports Authority office to fill your
departure form and pay your Port Dues and Departure Tax (if not paid in customs
office) then you will proceed to the Custom for Clearance to depart the Cook Islands. Payment is Cash only.
The above
procedures also apply if you are planning to call at another island in the Cook Islands prior to leaving for overseas.
If you want
to leave the harbour on weekend, do check out on Friday.
VISITING PALMERSTON AS THE LAST PORT OF
COOK ISLANDS
Palmerston
is not a port of entry, but you can sail there from Aitutaki or Rarotonga and
then leave the country (to Niue,
Tonga or other
directions). Inform about your plans the customs during check in, they will prepare
a special permission allowing to visit Palmerston. Do checkout procedure before
leaving Aitutaki.
DINGHY LANDING
There is
few small wharfs in the harbour. Tie your dinghy to one of them. If you anchor
out side be prepare for strong outgoing current and standing waves in the
entrance of the channel.
WATER
No data
FUEL
Petrol
station is located near the harbour (turn left from the wharf, pass the Port
Authority building and turn aagain left in to the small dirty road.
WiFi
Blue Sky
Hotspot is available on anchorage (outside) and in the harbour. Tickets with
login and password you can buy at Post Office. 1.5GB (valid 2 weeks) cost
25NZD. Other plans available.
GROCERIES
Few
groceries in the village. Selected products available. Minimum of fresh
vegetables and fruits.
ATM and BANKS
Bank and
ATM is located in post office building opposite to the harbour
POST OFFICE
In the
center of village – opposite to the harbour
HEALTH
There is a
hospital and dental service near the village.
For crews
Rent a car,
scooter or bicycle an ride arount the island. Do not miss O’otu Beach (at the
end of N peninsula) with beauty views, beach and bars.
Hike to the
top of the highest mouintain Maungapu (124m). you can see all the island and
lagoon.
There is
two dive operators. Diving is good, water is very clear, you can see big
turtles and reef wall. 2 tank dives about 180 NZD
You can
book a all day trip around lagoon. Snorkeling, visiting motu and a barbecue is
included.
Visit a
tourist office (near te harbour, left from exit) to get know with the actual
offer.
Fees
Anchorage - free
2 tank dive
– 180 NZD
Car – 50
NZD
Scooter –
20 NZD
Drink in
O’otu Beach Bar – 10 to 13 NZD
Fisch ‘n’
Chips – 5 to 8 NZD