Getting to Suwarrow Atoll

Assuming one gets to Pukapuka, and you've made suitable plans to stay for longer than a few days, what are the chances of getting in a visit to Suwarrow Atoll? Is Air Rarotonga the only option?

The hoped-for experience is still in the future, but I've come to understand that it's not easy getting from place-to-place in the Northern Group.

Thanks,
Mark

Hi Mark,

Is the frozen tundra getting to you up there in Canada? Ready to spend a winter on Suwarrow? I think your best bet is to befriend a sailor with a sailboat headed that way. I am told it is fairly popular with the yachting crowd, who anchor in the lagoon.

If I could suggest, you might be better off shooting for Rakahanga, which is relatively close to Manihiki and has a bit easier to get to and from. When I took the freighter to the Northern Group, they assured me that if I brought along enough provisions, the island CICC pastor could find me a place to stay for a month or two? How does that sound to you letterdude?

Papa Mike
www.mikehollywood.com

Hi Mark---
You can't get to Suwarrow by plane, no airstrip. It's either by yacht, by freighter (once or twice a year to pick up or drop off the caretakers) or by a rare trip on the Bounty Bay tour ship, check out Pacific Explorations/Adventures, or whatever it's called. Those go maybe twice a year for maybe ten days. But he sometimes changes plans at the last minute due to weather, etc.

You can't even get to Pukapuka on a regularly-schedule flight. Only charters, usually for gov't, a few times a year.

You can fly to Manihiki, but they just increased the cost by 65%. Check www.airraro.com for fares.

From Manihiki you have to arrange to take the small (15 seat or so) transfer boat, this may go every couple of weeks.

Or, you can take the freighter one way or RT, this goes every month or two, but schedules can change at the last minute.

So, figure on spending maybe three months in the Cooks if you are going up north by boat. If you will only be able to spare a month or so, fly right to Manihiki, and then maybe arrange a small-boat RT to Rakahanga.

Or, as Mike suggested, take a yacht. You'll need a chunk of $$$ to charter one, or you'll need to hang out on Raro to befriend some yachties.

As always, the thoughtful tips are very appreciated. Really nice hearing from the both of you! In fact, we're contemplating a minimum of 3 months. I think that the advice, Elliot, of hanging out on Rarotonga and hooking up with some yachties might be the best bet. I could think of worse pastimes. Still, were quite interested in spending some time on Pukapuka. That would mean Air Rarotonga.

In addition to the Northern Group, we're keen on time on Niue and New Zealand, too.

Go big or go home...am I right? :-)

Warm regards,
Mark

Well, Air Raro doesn't serve Pukapuka on a regualr basis, so it would be a freighter trip like Papa Mike took. But you only get a day or so on most islands. So, you'd need to get off and wait for th next boat, maybe two months away, more or less. You'd have to have Immigration extend your visa before you left RAR, or it would expire while gone. Plus you should contact people from Pukapuka who live on RAR, or even air Raro, to see where one could stay while there.

And, if you wanted to leave in a week, or a month, you'd be out of luck.

As for yachts, most don't travel aorund from Nov. to April due to possibility (low, but there) of cyclones. so, head down in May or so, when yachting activity starts up again.

But I really thing an RT to Manihiki might satisfy what you a looking for, and you can leave on a flight if you get bored, etc. There are also a few modest places for tourists to stay. If you wait for the freighter to or from Pukapuka, it could be more than three months total.

As you work for the Post Office (I assume you still do??) maybe you can get some friends to send Special Delivery packages to Pukapuka from Canada, and then you could volunteer to serve as the "courier" !!! A paid vacation!!

LOL! Don't I wish! Your advice is well noted.

By the way...I still work at the Post Office but am looking forward to my retirement. Hence, the extended adventure.

Are you reading this, Papa Mike? With respect to your freighter transport, what were the timeframes?

All the best,
Mark