Major city · Cook Islands
Palmerston Island
Skip unless you have your own yacht and at least a week to spare: no airstrip, supply boats every few months, homestay only.
Palmerston Island is a remote coral atoll in the Southern Cook Islands with no airstrip and a population of a few dozen English-speaking residents. Access is by private yacht or rare supply boat. Visitors stay with the family that greets them first. There are no hotels, shops or restaurants. A trip here is a commitment, not a stopover.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NZD
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry season, calmer seas)
- avoid Nov–Apr (cyclone season, rough seas)
- Airport
- none nearby
- Nights
- 7+
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Polynesia ↗In much of Polynesia Sunday is kept for church and family: expect shops, tours and some flights to stop, and dress and behave quietly in villages.
- Cook Islands ↗Entry rules are the Cook Islands' own: visitors get a 31-day visitor permit on arrival with an onward ticket and booked accommodation, but check Cook Islands immigration for your passport. If you connect through Auckland, check New Zealand's NZeTA and transit rules too.
- Cook Islands ↗Declare food, plant and animal products on arrival; biosecurity inspection is strict.
- Cook Islands ↗Drive on the left; the speed limit around Rarotonga is low, and helmets are required on scooters. Check the licence rules for visitors on arrival.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide7 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Palmerston Island999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Palmerston Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD), alongside local Cook Islands coins and notes, which are not exchangeable outside the country.Cook Islands-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone Cook Islands sells prepaid SIMs and data packs at the airport and in Avarua.Cook Islands-wide
- Tap waterRarotonga's supply is being upgraded; many hotels filter it.Cook Islands-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected.Cook Islands-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Cook Islands-wide
- SafetyThe main risk is the sea: rough sailing conditions, treacherous lagoon passage and cyclone season.
Show all 11 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; public ones at Punanga Nui market and beaches.Cook Islands-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 998 ambulance · 996 fire
- Sundays & holidaysAlmost everything shuts on Sunday except some cafés and resorts; shops close mid-afternoon Saturday.Cook Islands-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- Getting aroundOn foot or by boat between the five islets; the lagoon passage is narrow and treacherous — islanders guide you in.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- none nearby: arrive by land or via another city
Map of Palmerston Island
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Palmerston Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot or by boat between the five islets; the lagoon passage is narrow and treacherous — islanders guide you in.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Homestay with the greeting family
By custom, the family that first meets you offshore offers you a room. No hotels or resorts.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- No commercial services: your own vessel and supplies
- Mid
- No commercial services: your own vessel and supplies
- High
- No commercial services: your own vessel and supplies
Trip budget
| Homestay with local family2 × 7 nights × NZ$0 | NZ$0 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 7 days × NZ$1 | NZ$14 |
| Buffer 20%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NZ$3 |
| Trip total≈ NZ$1 per person per day, bed included | NZ$17≈ US$10 |
By custom, the greeting family offers a room at no set cost; a gift or contribution is appreciated.
2026 estimate in NZD; no commercial accommodation or transport exists — costs depend entirely on your own vessel and supplies.
Prices of common things
| Supply boat passage from RarotongaNo scheduled service; arrange with the boat operator. | check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No airstrip: you must arrive by sea. Supply boats come 2–3 times a year; you could be stuck until the next one.
- Sailing conditions are rough; do not attempt unless you are an accomplished sailor.
- Monsoon and hurricane seasons (Nov–Apr) can be extremely wild.
- No shops, restaurants or formal accommodation: bring everything you need.
- Call ahead by telephone to coordinate arrival and ask if islanders need goods or mail from Rarotonga.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 998
- Fire
- 996
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Palmerston IslandPalmerston Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Ki te au o PalmerstonTo Palmerston Island
Emergency
- Police999
- Ambulance998
- Fire996
Embassy
New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga handles consular matters for most visitors; check with your own embassy in Wellington.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Supply boat Rarotonga → Palmerston: No scheduled service; arrange with the boat operator.
Say or show
- Kia orana — Hello
- Meitaki — Thank you
- Ae / Kare — Yes / No
- Kāre e tika — Please
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Palmerston Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (dry season, calmer seas) · avoid Nov–Apr (cyclone season, rough seas) · month by month →
- 0 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Palmerston Island
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