One Englishman. Three wives. A dynasty of 23 children. Today their descendants — about 40 people — welcome cruise passengers to one of the most remote inhabited atolls on Earth, where there are no shops, no roads, and no pretense.
Palmerston has no pier — all passengers go ashore by tender or Zodiac, often with a shallow wet landing on the beach.
💡 Pro move: Landings can be cancelled in rough swells. The island's exposed location means some calls are skipped — check with ship staff before going ashore.
Palmerston Island has no pier or dock — all cruise arrivals are by tender or Zodiac.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Holland America, Ponant, expedition ships) | Anchor offshore; tender to village beach📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition vessels (Silversea, Seabourn, small ships) | Zodiac landing on reef beach📍 | Tendered |
There are no commercial tour operators — your day on Palmerston is shaped by your host family and whatever the lagoon offers.
Your island host — always a Marsters descendant — will walk you through their home, share the family history, and often offer coconut, fresh fish, or local food. This is the island's signature experience.
Learn about Palmerston Island history →The atoll lagoon is crystal-clear with healthy coral and abundant reef fish. Snorkeling off the beach is excellent with gear from your ship. Baby reef sharks are common in the shallows.
Find snorkeling gear and tours →At low tide the exposed reef reveals neon giant clams, sea cucumbers, brittle stars, and small sharks in tide pools. Locals often guide these walks — wear sturdy sandals.
Find reef and nature tours →The whitewashed Cook Islands Christian Church is the island's spiritual and social heart. Walk the sandy lanes, see the three family land-divisions William Marsters mapped out before 1899, and visit the village school.
Learn about Cook Islands history →Palmerston hosts nesting Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Bosun Birds) and other seabirds. A traditional monthly culling ceremony takes place in season — ask your host about the custom William Marsters established.
Find wildlife tours in Cook Islands →Everything on Palmerston is within a short stroll on sandy, shaded paths — no roads, no cars.
Walk from the landing beach along the main sandy track through the village, past the church, school, and family compounds, looping back to the beach. Shaded by coconut palms throughout.
📍 Open in MapsAt low tide, follow the reef edge from the village beach north toward the far motu (islet). Stunning colours underfoot — giant clams, parrotfish, starfish. Stay on the reef flat and watch footing on sharp coral.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Palmerston Island, Cook Islands (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 23 | 6:29 AM | 7:34 PM |
| Feb | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 19 | 6:46 AM | 7:26 PM |
| Mar | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 22 | 6:55 AM | 7:07 PM |
| Apr | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 19 | 7:02 AM | 6:43 PM |
| May | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 17 | 7:11 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Jun | 79°F / 26°C | 77°F / 25°C | 12 | 7:21 AM | 6:24 PM |
| Jul | 78°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 11 | 7:24 AM | 6:33 PM |
| Aug | 78°F / 26°C | 75°F / 24°C | 11 | 7:12 AM | 6:42 PM |
| Sep | 78°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 13 | 6:48 AM | 6:47 PM |
| Oct | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 14 | 6:23 AM | 6:53 PM |
| Nov | 80°F / 27°C | 77°F / 25°C | 15 | 6:08 AM | 7:06 PM |
| Dec | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 21 | 6:11 AM | 7:24 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Palmerston Island, Cook Islands. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.