Approaching Pitcairn Island

The island has no sheltered anchorage options. You will be advised on the most suitable place to anchor depending on the conditions when you arrive.

From about 16kms ( 10 miles) out, call on VHF Channel 80 (call sign Pitcairn) during daylight hours for anchoring advice.  VHF Channel 16 is still monitored but Channel 80 is now the main communication channe.  In addition to Bounty Bay there are three other potential anchorages; Tedside, Ginger Valley and Down Rope. Their suitability depends on wind and swell conditions. Bounty Bay is useable in conditions up to and including Force 4, but if the swell is from the South it can be extremely rolly.

Anchoring:

Anchoring in Bounty Bay should be just to seaward of a line between the tree on Adams Rock and Isaacs Rocks. This will put you on the sand in about 11 to 14m, 350m from the landing. If using chain, at least five times the depth is recommended. The Tourist Board website advise aiming to lie so that your anchoring circle is outside a line between 25o 03.853 S 130o 05.937 W and 25o 04.14 S 130o 05.544 W.

Getting Ashore:

Unless conditions are flat calm, getting ashore at the landing area with your own dinghy is tricky. Visitors are welcome to use their own tender sat no additional cost, but it needs to be small and light enough to take out of the water by hand up the slip way. In most conditions it is not safe to leave your tender in the water tied to the Jetty in Bounty Bay. It is recommended calling on the VHF for locals to come and pick you up in a local launch (remember to drop fenders on the leeward side). See fees for details.

Other Anchorages:

North West Anchorage

25 3.705s 130 7.284w

The elusive NW anchorage of Pitcairn. Large patch of sand with a few pieces of bedrock clearly visible. Clearest water we have ever seen. Anchor in 20 meters and drop back and you will still be able to see every link of chain and the anchor. No need to dive to check if it’s set! Good snorkelling towards Pitcairn. Mostly rock, not much coral. Watch for lobsters – there are some big ones.  (Information provided by Brent Crack and Mary Bevan who visited in January 2023)

HENDERSON ISLAND – A World Heritage Site

Henderson Island provides a protected Marine habitat for sharks. Caution is advised when swimming/diving.

• Landing on Henderson Island is restricted to North Beach only
• Landing and excursions on East Beach are prohibited
• Landing and excursions on North-West Beach are prohibited

North Beach

Visitors are only allowed to land on North Beach.  Special provision is granted for visitors to land on North-West Beach ONLY if it is not possible to land on North Beach due to sea and weather conditions or emergency.

North West Beach

There are ‘veins’ of sand running outwards from the island between coral outcrops that with careful anchoring provide decent holding.  However, the band of depth for anchoring is very narrow as the depth rises from several hundred metres to shore over a distance of less than 100metres.

NOTE:

https://www.visitpitcairn.pn/go_there/sail_to_pitcairn/index.html.

Last updated:  July 2025

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