Explore: Pitcairn Island - Formalities
Clearance
COVID-19 Coronavirus: The Island Council has placed a ban on all shipping, but will allow cruising yachts to anchor at certain locations. See Biosecurity for more information.
PRE-ARRIVAL
Applications for Pleasure Yachts to visit the Pitcairn Islands should be made in writing via, email, to the Pitcairn Islands Immigration Officer at [email protected]
All vessels wishing to land passengers on any of the Pitcairn Islands require permission to do so.
See Communications for a list of all official e-mail contacts for visiting vessels.
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
Advance Notification:
The islanders prefer to be informed by radio of a yacht’s arrival. VHF Channel 16 is monitored 24/7 and as the transmitter is situated high on top of the island it is said to have a range in excess of 50 miles. Call when you are approx. 12 miles out. The island is also connected to the outside world by Inmarsat. The HF radio is no longer attended except when a ship is expected.
The Mayor, who is also the Pitcairn Island Harbourmaster, will ensure all vessels are guided to the best anchorage on the day of arrival [[email protected]].
General Process:
Yachts should anchor or heave-to off Bounty Bay. See the Bounty Bay page for full anchoring and shoreside details, as well as options for other anchorages.
Go ashore using the local launch service, call on VHF Ch. 16. See fees for details. The launch cost can be shared between yachts. The fee applies each time you use the launch service, however, you can normally make several trips to and fro in the time allotted (depending on where you are anchored).
You will be met (if they didn’t pick you up), by the combined Police and Immigration, Quarantine and Tourism Officials. Remember to carry your passports and ships registration document with you. Remember also to bring some drinking water – after a long voyage the very hot weather and steep climbs will soon dehydrate you. Nothing else is required.
Please do not attempt to land rubbish or any plants, fruits, vegetables, or honey and honey products.
Paperwork is minimal.
There is a Landing Fee. See fees for details. All service fees for pleasure yachts must be paid at the Pitcairn Islands Government Treasury Office where cash and credit card facilities are available.
The Tourism Coordinator gives all yacht crew a quick familiarization visit, some tourist information and likely an invite to tea or coffee somewhere.
Anyone arriving by boat must leave the island by the same means.
- See the Sail to Pitcairn page for more information.
- Government of Pitcairn Islands: Guide for Visiting Vessels 2021
Last updated: April 2022
Immigration
All communications concerning visits by vessels should be made in the first instance to the Pitcairn Islands Immigration officer or to the Mayor.
Immigration clearance and a passport stamp is included in the landing fee payable on arrival. See Fees for more details.
Pitcairn Islands Mayor/HarbourMaster
Last updated: April 2022
Customs
Firearms must not be taken ashore.
BioSecurity
While the protocols below are as accurate as per the last date recorded, the situation is constantly changing with regards to Covid-19 protocols for yacht arrivals and skippers should always check with their intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required.
COVID-19: **OPEN**
Yachting Protocols:
April 2022
- Pitcairn Island is now open to all vessels.
- Those landing via yacht must provide the Medical Officer with proof of vaccination against C-19 via e-mail or other non-contact method, prior to being permitted to land.
- E-mail:
Pitcairn Police & Immigration: [email protected]
Pitcairn Doctor: [email protected]Pitcairn Mayor, also the Harbormaster: [email protected]
Resources:
https://www.visitpitcairn.pn/covid19/index.html
History:
- Mid-March 2020 the Island Council placed a ban on all shipping until further notice.
- As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to surge around the globe, the Government of the remote Pitcairn Islands has maintained a judicious and cautious approach to its border control in order to protect its approximately 50 inhabitants. Moving forward, the Pitcairn government is intent on keeping the island healthy, safe, and one of the few COVID-free territories in the world.
- April 1st 2022 Pitcairn opened to all vessels.
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BIO-SECURITY/QUARANTINE & WASTE MANAGEMENT
The following rules apply to all visiting vessels to the Pitcairn Islands:
- All Honey and all bee products, including bees wax products, are prohibited and may not be landed on any of the Pitcairn Islands.
- No foreign flora or fauna may be introduced to any of the Pitcairn Islands.
- No flora and fauna on any of the Pitcairn Islands may be disturbed, damaged, destroyed or removed.
- The disposal of refuse or sewage is prohibited.
- All rubbish, including food waste and wrapping is to be removed from the outer islands prior to departure i.e. no evidence of a visit should remain.
- Passengers bringing any fruit or seeds ashore may be inspected by bio-security.
- Most public toilets on Pitcairn Island are biodegradable long-drops.
- All visitors should observe good personal hygiene and remember to wash hands or use hand sanitizer.
Last updated: April 2022
Health
There are no diseases endemic to the Pitcairn Islands, however, the small Pitcairn community is vulnerable to diseases that may be carried by visitors.
All Captains are required to declare the health of passengers and crew before landing on Pitcairn Island. This must be done by emailing a copy of the vessel’s Maritime Declaration of Health to the Pitcairn Islands Medical Officerprior to arrival and must confirm that the vessel has no cases of contagious disease on board.
When there is doubt about fitness to land on Pitcairn, a brief medical examination may be required, including measurement of body temperature. These precautions may vary according to information from WHO and the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network.
Vaccinations:
Captains are responsible for ensuring vaccinations are up to date including season influenza, chickenpox, polio, Hepatitis A, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) and diptheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT). Other vaccinations may be indicated for travellers with special health risks.
Yellow Fever
Although Yellow Fever is not a disease risk in the Pitcairn Islands, the Government requires travellers arriving from countries where yellow fever is present to provide proof of Yellow Fever faccinations.
Note: Only the Pitcairn Medical Officer is permitted to request medical supplies etc from visiting vessels.
Pitcairn Islands Medical Officer
Last updated: April 2022
Documents
Fees
All fees are compulsory and quoted in NZ dollars.
Landing Fee:
From April 1st 2020 all pleasure yachts landing passengers on any of the four islands in the Pitcairn Islands group are required to pay:
• $100 NZD landing fee per adult (over the age of 18yrs) / per island.
• Under the age of 18 years to 5 years: $50 NZD
• 5 years and under: no charge.
The Pitcairn Islands pleasure yacht Landing fee includes:
• Immigration Clearance / Passport Stamp
• Entrance to the Pitcairn Islands Museum
• On-island Services coordination
• Conservation contribution for the Pitcairn Islands Marine Protected Area & the Pitcairn Islands International Dark Sky Sanctuary
Ship to Shore transfers:
The following fees apply for pleasure yachts wishing to use local tenders for ship to shore transfers;
Pick-up / return Bounty Bay: $70 NZD per trip
Pick-up / return Tedside (Western Harbour): $100 NZD per trip
Pick-up / return Ginger Valley $150 NZD per trip
Payment:
All service fees for pleasure yachts must be paid at the Pitcairn Islands Government Treasury Office where cash and credit card facilities are available.
Last updated: April 2022
Restrictions
The Pitcairn Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA)
In March 2015, the United Kingdom declared the waters of the Pitcairn Islands (Pitcairn, Ducie, Henderson and Oeno) as one of the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas, spanning 834,334 square kilometers.
As a condition under the MPA the Government of Pitcairn Islands prohibits all visiting vessels from conducting fishing activities within the Pitcairn Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This applies to All Cruise and tour vessels, pleasure yachts and Government of Pitcairn Islands charters.
Whilst cruising within the Pitcairn Islands EEZ, visiting vessels that detect unusual activity are asked to report the vessel name, date, time and GPS location to the Pitcairn Police and Pitcairn’s Division Manager of Environmental, Conservation and Natural Resources, email: [email protected]; d[email protected]
Henderson Island – A World Heritage Site
- Landing on Henderson Island is restricted to North Beach Only
- Landing and excursions on East Beach and North-West Beach are prohibited.
- Special provision can be granted to 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 an emergency
- Henderson Island provides a protected marine habitat for sharks. Caution is advised when swimming or diving in the area.
The Pitcairn Islands International Dark Sky Sanctuary
The night skies of all 4 islands in the Pitcairn Islands Group comprise The Pitcairn Islands International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Mata ki te Rangi – Eyes to the Sky, established in March 2019.
To ensure that the pristine night skies of the Pitcairn Islands remain free of light pollution. The Government of Pitcairn Islands (GPI) approved and enacted its Outdoor Lighting Management Regulation, in December 2018 (enacted as Part XII of the Local Government Regulations).
All visiting vessels, anchoring overnight in the Pitcairn Islands are asked to keep all on-board outdoor lighting within minimum safety requirements.
Items of Historical, Botanical and Geological Interest
It is an offence to remove or attempt to remove any protected artefact from the Pitcairn Islands, without written consent from the Governor. Any person who does so may be liable to a fine of up to $20,000.
Protected artefacts include:
- any relic of the ships “Bounty”, “Cornwallis”, “Arcadia”, or “Bowden”;
- any artefact of the Polynesian people resident on Pitcairn prior to the arrival of the “Bounty”; and
- any coffin on Henderson Island.
It is also an offence to remove marine life or non-living natural material from the seabed within the Pitcairn Islands Marine Protected Area; or to take, kill or harass any wild bird (including their eggs), or any protected species.
Any person seeking to remove any of the above artefacts, any other artefact of historical interest, or any soil, rocks, or botanical, geological, biological or marine samples for research or other purposes should apply to the Governor for a permit, and present such permit for inspection prior to departure.
Filming on Pitcairn Island
Using Drones on Pitcairn Island within 100 meters of residential areas is not permitted
Visiting the Pitcairn Islands to undertake media related research, film, take photographs, make audio recordings or undertake interviews for commercial purposes or public viewing is not permitted without prior approval from the Pitcairn Islands Council. Email: [email protected]
Alcohol Consumption:
As stated in the GPI Sale and Use of Liquor Ordinance, the consumption of alcohol is not permitted in many public areas on Pitcairn Island unless otherwise specified by the Pitcairn Islands Council. Those drinking alcohol in these public areas, without the aforementioned dispensation from Council, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine. To make application to the Pitcairn Islands Council for passengers to consume alcohol in public areas on Pitcairn Island contact the Mayor: Email: [email protected]
No Alcohol is permitted on Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands. Those who drink alcohol on Henderson, Ducie or Oeno Island, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.
Overnight Anchoring/Stopover:
- Cruisers are welcome to stopover (without going ashore) at Ducie, Henderson and Oeno Islands. Out of the three, Ducie and Henderson are recommended only for safety reasons – both islands have a short reef close to the land. Oeno Island on the other hand has about a mile before you get to the beach and there is only a small passage which can cause big issues if caught in the waves.
- If cruisers do use the Islands, Pitcairn authorities ask that you take extra care, as should there be an accident, it is awkward for the authorities to get out to the islands and the nearest hospital is in Tahiti.
Last updated: April 2022
Local Customs
The main religion on Pitcairn is Seventh Day Adventism. Sabbath is observed on Saturday.
Pets
Animals must remain on board.