Palmerston Island, Cook Islands

Palmerston Island is the name of a coral atoll in the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean about 500 km northwest of Rarotonga. It was discovered by James Cook on June 16, 1774. A true atoll, Palmerston Island consists of a number of sandy islets on a continuous ring of coral reef enclosing a lagoon. The largest of the islets include Palmerston, North Island, Lee To Us, Leicester, Primrose, Toms and Cooks.

The population consists of approximately fifty inhabitants, all descended from an Englishman named William Marsters. The economy is based on fishing, tourism, copra and bird feathers. Visitors to the island can experience the beautiful coral reefs on diving or snorkelling expeditions.

Things to See and Do

* Diving
* Snorkelling expeditions
* Fishing

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency - New Zealand dollar
(Cook Islands dollar also used) (NZD)
Language – English, Cook Islands Maori
Land Area – 2.6 km²
Population – 50 approx
Electricity – 2 round pins European style, two parallel flat pins Japanese style
Time - GMT minus 10
International Country Telephone Code – + 682

Transport Links – A research vessel, the Bounty Bay, maintains a tourist service from Rarotonga to Palmerston, but the island has no airport or regular air service.