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Landing on Palmerston Island (during our July 2007 Cook Island's voyage)
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Suwarrow National Park Expeditions The SV Southern Cross will be tied up at the main wharf (Avatiu harbour) on the day of departure. You are welcome to store your gear aboard our vessel for the day while you spend the last few hours exploring Rarotonga. Please meet at the yacht at 3pm for a safety talk and assignment of bunks etc. Departure is planed for 5pm. For Apia bound passengers: Please bring your passports to the yacht at midday (noon) as you will need to fill out immigration departure cards. This will allow us to start processing our immigration and customs clearance during the afternoon for everyone aboard. Palmerston Atoll: This small atoll has a magnificent inner lagoon with easy access via a number of small passages along the western side. If you feel like exploring uninhabited motu and relaxing on a golden sandy beach then Palmerston offers a picture perfect opportunity Palmerston is unique among the islands of the Pacific in its strong English traditions. This is reflected in almost all you will see and hear. William Marsters settled on this remote island with his three Polynesian wives 140 years ago and his descendants occupied this stunningly beautiful atoll to this day. When you stay ashore, the local families will provide the accommodation and food - please pay them directly in cash - about $50US per person per day (for full board) is the normal charge. Suwarrow National Park: At Suwarrow we plan to camp ashore on an uninhabited islet - sleeping under the stars on a sandy beach is also popular, as is an evening beach BBQ. If you want to snorkel with manta rays and sharks, then you are in the right place. Go for it! Nassau: We arrive early in the morning and spend a few hours ashore. The local people will show you around their small island, including a visit to the school, taro patches and church. Many of our passengers enjoy this island the most as we are the only tourists to ever visit Pukapuka: Famous as the south seas residence of Robert Dean Frisbie in the 1930's and as a coral reef trap for the sailing ships of yesteryear (hence the English name of 'Danger Island'). The people speak a Samoan language dialect and have retained a strong polynesian culture. For our Samoa bound passengers: We will arrive at Apia harbour on Tuesday morning (Samoa time is one day ahead of Cook Islands time). If a dose of civilization is on your wish list after two weeks at sea, then a visit to Aggie Gray's hotel is on order. For our Rarotonga bound passengers: We will arrive home in Rarotonga on Friday afternoon. This will give you enough time to catch the direct flight to Los Angeles during the weekend. Snorkeling: Both islands on this voyage have excellent snorkeling. We provide the equipment without additional charge. This is a crosswind and downwind voyage: This adds greatly to the speed, comfort and pleasure of all onboard. We much appreciate passengers who help with the running of our vessel - this type of team work adds greatly to everyone's experience. Price: US$3,900 for Raro-Palmerston-Suwarrow-Raro voyages US$4,500 for Raro-Palmerston-Suwarrow-Nassau-Pukapuka-Apia voyages Max of seven passengers
For a map of the Cook Islands click here |
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Rope swing, Suwarrow
Cook Islands 
Wrasse, Suwarrow
Yacht anchorage
Suwarrow National Park 
Nassau Island hut
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