During their recent stop off on the island of Niue, the Admiral Yacht Insurance and World ARC fleet enjoyed sun downer drinks kindly organised by Niue Yacht Club at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence. As a supporter of World Cruising Club, and provider of yacht insurance to many of the yachts in the fleet, Admiral are delighted to have been able to sponsor this annual event.
First discovered by Captain Cook and the world’s largest raised coral atoll, Niue is full of caves and sites of geological interest, including an ancient forest and the remains of a lagoon. The diving is renowned due to the exceptional clarity of the water and large number of underwater limestone caves. However, being somewhat off the beaten track, Niue is not overrun with tourists and its friendly inhabitants welcome cruising visitors who make a considerable contribution to the local economy.
Visiting yachts have also contributed hugely to the membership of Niue Yacht Club which calls itself “The Biggest, Little Yacht Club in the World” owing to the large number of overseas members recruited as they pass through. The club is unique in that none of the management committee actually own a yacht; Niue has no natural harbour and with the ocean lapping at the island’s 60 foot cliffs, there is nowhere nearby to sail to!
Niue Yacht Club’s website says that the club’s main focus is ‘providing safe facilities for visiting yachts’. By all accounts, they also provide a very warm welcome and are brilliant hosts.
Admiral’s Yacht Managing Director, Robert Holbrook, visited Niue and met Commodore Keith Vial in 2008 when he sailed across the Pacific.
