Manuae has no regular transport and no infrastructure. Access is by charter boat from Aitutaki, about 100 km to the northwest, or by private yacht. The crossing takes 6–10 hours depending on conditions, and the reef entrance requires careful navigation — do not attempt it without an experienced skipper who knows the pass.
A permit from the Cook Islands government is required before visiting. Contact the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources in Rarotonga well in advance. Permits are granted for genuine scientific, conservation, or low-impact recreational purposes; they are not automatically issued for curiosity visits.
There is no anchorage protected from all weather; conditions in the Cook Islands can change quickly. Visitors typically come on day trips from a boat anchored outside the reef, or stay aboard a well-found yacht. There are no freshwater sources, no food, and no rescue services on or near the atoll.