Palmerston is a tiny atoll in the Cook Islands, located about 480 kilometres north of Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands. The atoll consists of two low-lying islands, Akaiami and Manuae, and is surrounded by a lagoon. It is the most remote inhabited island in the Cook Islands and is home to a small community of around 50 people.
Palmerston has a rich history, having been discovered by Captain James Cook in 1774. Cook named the island after the British Prime Minister Lord Palmerston, who was in office at the time. Over the years, the island has been visited by a variety of explorers and traders, including whalers, missionaries, and even a few pirates.
The island has been inhabited since 1863, when William Marsters arrived with three Polynesian wives and settled on the island. Marsters and his descendants have remained on the island ever since and have become the main inhabitants of Palmerston. The island is still owned by the Marsters family, who are the only people allowed to live there.
Today, Palmerston is a peaceful, isolated island, with a unique culture and way of life. The island is a popular destination for tourists, who come to experience the quiet beauty of the island and its friendly locals. It is also a popular spot for fishing, snorkelling, and diving, with its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life.
Palmerston is a beautiful and unique island, with a fascinating history and a warm, welcoming community. It is the perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful getaway.
Experience Palmerston with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Palmerston. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Palmerston in the Cook Islands has a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and warm, mild winters. The average temperature year-round is around 25°C, with the hottest months being December, January and February and the coolest months being June, July and August. During the summer months, there is a lot of rainfall, with June and July being the wettest months. The winter months are usually dry, with the occasional shower. The trade winds blow from the east and northeast throughout the year, providing some relief from the hot summer days.
Our weather forecast for Palmerston helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
| Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 21st 2024 Dec. 21st 2024 | max: 27.1 °C min: 26.2 °C |
14.8 m/s 15.1 m/s |
2.5 % 24.1 m |
75.4 % 1,011 hPa |
06:14:51 19:27:31 |
|
| Dec. 22nd 2024 Dec. 22nd 2024 | max: 27.1 °C min: 26.1 °C |
11.9 m/s 13.3 m/s |
60.2 % 24.1 m |
76.0 % 1,011 hPa |
06:15:22 19:28:00 |
|
| Dec. 23rd 2024 Dec. 23rd 2024 | max: 26.8 °C min: 25.7 °C |
31.0 m/s 37.4 m/s |
98.9 % 22.0 m |
80.1 % 1,011 hPa |
06:15:53 19:28:28 |
|
| Dec. 24th 2024 Dec. 24th 2024 | max: 26.8 °C min: 24.2 °C |
33.8 m/s 40.3 m/s |
95.0 % 20.5 m |
80.9 % 1,011 hPa |
06:16:24 19:28:55 |
|
| Dec. 25th 2024 Dec. 25th 2024 | max: 27.3 °C min: 25.9 °C |
24.1 m/s 31.3 m/s |
87.6 % 21.2 m |
81.6 % 1,011 hPa |
06:16:57 19:29:22 |
|
| Dec. 26th 2024 Dec. 26th 2024 | max: 27.4 °C min: 26.1 °C |
24.1 m/s 30.6 m/s |
90.0 % 21.4 m |
82.4 % 1,010 hPa |
06:17:30 19:29:47 |
|
| Dec. 27th 2024 Dec. 27th 2024 | max: 27.2 °C min: 26.8 °C |
29.2 m/s 37.4 m/s |
97.3 % 20.3 m |
83.4 % 1,010 hPa |
06:18:04 19:30:12 |
|
| Dec. 28th 2024 Dec. 28th 2024 | max: 27.1 °C min: 26.9 °C |
29.5 m/s 38.9 m/s |
61.7 % 17.9 m |
85.0 % 1,008 hPa |
06:18:38 19:30:35 |
|
| Dec. 29th 2024 Dec. 29th 2024 | max: 27.0 °C min: 25.4 °C |
42.8 m/s 45.7 m/s |
94.2 % 20.0 m |
84.5 % 1,009 hPa |
06:19:13 19:30:58 |
|
| Dec. 30th 2024 Dec. 30th 2024 | max: 27.8 °C min: 26.3 °C |
11.2 m/s 12.6 m/s |
29.9 % 21.0 m |
78.5 % 1,010 hPa |
06:19:48 19:31:20 |
|
| Dec. 31st 2024 Dec. 31st 2024 | max: 27.2 °C min: 26.5 °C |
22.0 m/s 24.5 m/s |
33.7 % 18.9 m |
82.0 % 1,009 hPa |
06:20:24 19:31:41 |
|
| Jan. 1st 2025 Jan. 1st 2025 | max: 26.9 °C min: 26.3 °C |
24.5 m/s 24.8 m/s |
22.3 % 14.6 m |
81.9 % 1,009 hPa |
06:21:00 19:32:00 |
|
| Jan. 2nd 2025 Jan. 2nd 2025 | max: 26.8 °C min: 26.3 °C |
24.4 m/s 24.5 m/s |
18.7 % 23.3 m |
76.7 % 1,009 hPa |
06:21:36 19:32:19 |
|
| Jan. 3rd 2025 Jan. 3rd 2025 | max: 27.1 °C min: 26.4 °C |
27.4 m/s 29.5 m/s |
22.5 % 23.0 m |
81.4 % 1,010 hPa |
06:22:13 19:32:37 |
|
| Jan. 4th 2025 Jan. 4th 2025 | max: 27.1 °C min: 26.6 °C |
27.7 m/s 29.9 m/s |
23.0 % 23.2 m |
81.5 % 1,009 hPa |
06:22:50 19:32:53 |
Would you like to travel to Palmerston on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Palmerston.
| Date | Ship | Arrival | Departure | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr. 29th 2025 Tuesday, 29th of Apr. 2025 | Silver Cloud Expedition | 09:00 am | 06:30 pm | |
| Oct. 7th 2025 Tuesday, 7th of Oct. 2025 | Silver Cloud Expedition | 07:00 am | 12:00 pm |
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