Niue is a popular stopover for many yachts crossing the Pacific. Not only does it’s position provide the perfect opportunity for a well-deserved stopover, but it’s unique geology and wildlife make this tiny island nation one for everyone’s bucket list.

Published 7 years ago, updated 5 years ago

From the 1st July 2017, all visitors (whether they fly out or sail out of Niue) will be required to pay $NZD80 for all persons 12 years of age and over.  Currently, this equates to USD$ 58 and 46 English Pounds.

This is a Government of Niue cost recovery tax, as four officials attend the initial clearance on the wharf. Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Health officials all have documentation to be completed. On final clearance, one Custom’s official will provide you with a printed certificate specifically for your vessel as proof of departure from Niue.

While this is a significant increase on the current departure tax that has been in place for six years, Niue charges no other clearance fees (unlike other Island nations) and officials here are always professional, efficient and courteous.

The Niue Yacht Club, staffed by volunteers, have been working tirelessly for the last 25 years to provide services and information for visiting yachts. They have raised funds to establish a secure mooring field and welcome foreign cruisers to their shores. All clearance forms can be downloaded from their website, printed and completed prior to arrival to speed up the clearance process (especially if you have a number of crew on your vessel). Go to – https://nyc.nu/arrival-forms/

There is also a “Help Desk” contact email.  While it is not a prerequisite for advanced notification of arrival, it is often helpful to know who is likely to sail in over the horizon.  Especially super yachts, that need specific information for anchoring purposes.

Keith Vial,Commodore of the NYC, told Noonsite:

“Hopefully this Govt departure tax won’t deter yachts from visiting Niue. Most, if not all, of the approximately 2500 yacht crew who have visited Niue in recent years, have commented in various blogs about Niue as a “stopover” on your Puddlejump journey through the South Pacific. We hope you will continue to visit our small corner of Paradise –  19.00 degrees South & 169.92 West.”

Yacht crew visitors to Niue in the past 6 years

2016: 176 yachts – 402 crew

2015: 125 yachts – 382 crew

2014: 175 yachts – 466 crew

2013: 157 yachts – 470 crew

2012: 167 yachts – 428 crew

2011: 138 yachts: 416  crew

Mooring in Niue

The mooring field specs are also listed on the NYC website.  At present all of the moorings in Alofi Bay are 25mm twisted polyester lines, with approximately 5 tonnes in concrete footings on the sea bed.

Anchoring is not possible within the mooring field, because of regrowing coral and many rock ridges projecting out from the shoreline.  Anchors are likely to get wedged and/or destroy coral. There is a sandy fan directly out from the wharf in depths of 15 m rapidly dropping off from there.

The arrival of the island’s shipping freight service, usually in the third week of any month, makes this area to anchor unavailable.