Diving & Travel Guide to Palmerston Atoll

About Palmerston Atoll

Palmerston Atoll is one of the most remote and pristine places in the Cook Islands, a tiny ring of islets surrounding a turquoise lagoon far to the west. Reached only by private yacht or a limited liveaboard, its lagoon and outer reef remain almost untouched, with pristine coral, huge schools of parrotfish and snappers, abundant grey reef and whitetip sharks, manta rays, turtles and humpback whales from August to October. The lagoon passes offer thrilling drift dives with vast schools of barracuda and jacks and passing pelagics. With no airstrip and few visitors, Palmerston is the definition of off-the-beaten-track diving, rewarding those who make the journey with extraordinary reef health and marine density.

Highlights

• ✓Palmerston Lagoon & Outer Reef: Pristine, untouched coral with huge schools of parrotfish, snappers and abundant sharks.
• ✓Palmerston Passes: Drift dives through the lagoon passes with enormous schools of barracuda and jacks.
• ✓Humpback whales (Aug-Oct): Seasonal visitors to the clear outer reef.
• ✓Extreme remoteness: One of the most untouched atolls in the Pacific.

Getting There

Palmerston has no airstrip and is reached only by private yacht or a very limited liveaboard. There is no scheduled passenger service, so diving here is part of a private voyage or an expedition. The lagoon and passes are dived from the supporting vessel, and logistics, fuel and medical evacuation must be planned thoroughly given the hundreds of kilometres to Rarotonga. Only self-sufficient, well-prepared travellers should attempt it.