Pitcairn Island - Facts

Pitcairn Island FAQs

Pre-Arrival - Boat:  It is suggested to contact Pitcairn Island officials by email prior to arrival, but calling on VHF Channel 80 from about 40 NM (50 miles/80kms) out, during daylight, will normally elicit a response. See Clearance for all details
Pre-Arrival - Crew: If your stay is for 14 days or less and you will arrive and depart on the same vessel, there is no need for prior entry clearance. See Immigration for further details.
Where can I enter? Bounty Bay is the primary anchorage, but visitors are advised to contact Pitcairn Island officials on VHF Channel 80 when approaching the island and they will advise where best to anchor, based on swell and wind conditions at the time of your arrival.  See Clearance for all details
Are fees high to enter by yacht?  There is a Landing Fee per adult and a fee for using the Island’s Ship to Shore transfer service. See Fees for more details.
What security concerns should I know about?  Crime against visitors is uncommon. See Security for more details.

Pitcairn Island Facts for Sailors:

• The Pitcairn Islands group is a British Overseas Territory. It comprises the islands of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno.
• Pitcairn, the only inhabited island, is a small volcanic outcrop situated in the South Pacific roughly 2170km (1350 miles) east south-east of Tahiti and just over 6600km (4100 miles) from Panama.
• The Islands' administrative headquarters are situated in Auckland, New Zealand, 5310km (3300 miles) away, but day-to-day affairs are run by an island council.
• With a population of only around 50, the people of Pitcairn are descended from the mutineers of HMAV Bounty and their Tahitian companions.
• Pitcairn Island is approximately 3.2km (2 miles) long and 1.6km (1 mile) wide with the capital Adamstown located above Bounty Bay and accessed by the aptly named road, "The Hill of Difficullty".
• As an isolated population, Pitcairners are at severe risk from possible outside infections, therefore extra health checks are sometimes made on visitors.
• Although the anchorage in Bounty Bay is an open roadstead, by keeping an eye on the weather, one is usually able to spend some time on the island.
• There is a regular supply ship from Mangareva in French Polynesia.
• A warm welcome awaits the cruising sailor who calls at this remote community, whose entire history has been intrinsically bound up with the sea.
• Adamstown, the only village on the island, is on the northern coast, near Bounty Bay.
• If any emergency repair needs to be made, the Islanders will undoubtedly help, as they have to do all the maintenance on their own boats, generator and engines, both inboard and outboard, and are practised at coping without outside help.
• The Islanders are extremely welcoming, but some cruising sailors have abused this generosity and overstayed their welcome. The once free launch service (with donations) to and from your boat, now has a charge (see clearance).
• Everyone leaves Pitcairn with unforgettable memories of having been hosted by one of the most isolated communities in the world.