Puka Puka

I'd love to go to PukaPuka but heard its pretty much impossible to get to... Can anyone help?

No scheduled flights. There is a freighter that goes there every three or four weeks from RAR, but the schedules are pretty erratic. It's abut an eleven day RT, the ship stops in Manihiki and a couple of other Northern Group islands. But you are only on each island for several hours, while the cargo is unloaded, etc.

Papa Mike on this TT branch took the ship there a few yrs ago, you can send him a private message.

On the Air Raro Web site I noticed something that they advertise as a Northern Atolls Adventure They say:

"This is an adventure tour that provides a rare opportunity to visit the distant and remote northern group atolls of Pukapuka, Manihiki and Tongareva (also known as Penrhyn).

Flights are scheduled according to demand which is normally for one sometimes two tours per month."

There is another Puka Puka, in the far eastern Tuamotus of French Polynesia. Air Tahiti, according to an old schedule that I have, operates every Sunday. There are also two 17 day cargo boat voyages to it (spaced two weeks apart) on the Kura Ora II and III.

Yes, Silvano, I thought of mentioning FP's Pukapuka as well, but noticed he had posted it specifically under the Cook Islands, so I didn't want to confuse him!

The Air Raro website is more hopeful than actual. They do that three-island four-day trip to the Northern Group maybe once or twice a year, and it costs about NZ$2500!

Thanks guys... I did email Air Raro asking how often the flights go and they replied saying they don't fly to Pukapuka but if I wanted to book a charter it is around $16,000 for up to 8 people... might look into this boat option...

Here is Papa Mike's recounting of his "cruise" to the northern atolls. I've read, recently, that the price of a RT is close to NZD 1000.

Hello All, a trip to Pukapuka is quite an undertaking. The Manu Nui, the freighter that makes the trip described in silvano cat's post makes the trip on an "as needed" basis. The trip I took which was delayed three times, originally included Pukapuka, but at the last minute the itinerary was changed and the island was dropped from the trip. So trying to visit and then return on the next trip could involve up to three months. Got that much time Spider? I didn't think so! Anyone contemplating the trip should read my account of my "two week cruise" and hopefully buy the book that describes what to take and how to survive.

It would be interesting to know how many four-day, three-island trips Air Raro has sold at that price!

Warm Regards,

Papa Mike
www.mikehollywood.com

Sounds weird but after reading papa Mike's blog makes me wanna do this trip even more!

Would u say it was all worth it papamike?

Spider, I admire your fortitude!

But remember, freighter schedules are very erratic in the Cooks, especially to the Northern Group. Plan on spending a total of six to eight weeks in the Cooks if you want to be even 90% sure of getting a boat to Pukapuka.

Also, you will get a 31-day tourist visa on arrival. If you plan to go to the Northern Group, you have to extend it for another 30 days before you leave, as delays can cause the 11-day trip to sometimes extend longer.

Well Spider - as time goes by the trip does not seem that bad. I just think you need to approach it with a clear understanding of the hardships to be endured. Chances are you will not encounter a hurricane as I did, so if you are set on it and young with considerable fortitude go for it.

As Raro and I both pointed out, you will need a significant window in the Cooks to insure the trip. Also realize you will probably only have less tan a day on Pukapuka, while the freight is unloaded. We spent two days on Manihiki, but that was because the trip stretched thru a Sunday. Several hours on Rakahanga and a full day on Penrhyn were all the time we had on the other two islands we visited.

Good Luck!

Papa Mike
www.mikehollywood.com