Exploring The Remote Pitcairn Island: A Comprehensive Guide

The Pitcairn Islands are some of the most remote islands in the world. Located halfway between New Zealand and South America, the islands are a British Overseas Territory and the last British colony in the South Pacific. The only inhabited island, Pitcairn, is accessible by sea and air.

The closest airport is on Mangareva in the Gambier Islands, 850km away. From there, you can catch a ferry to Rikitea village and then board the Claymore II or MV Silver Supporter, which are passenger ships that travel to Pitcairn every few weeks. The journey from Mangareva to Pitcairn takes about 32-35 hours.

Alternatively, you can travel to the islands via cruise ships or privately chartered yachts, although this option may be more expensive.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that there are no hotels on Pitcairn Island, and accommodation is arranged through homestays or private self-contained bungalows. The cost of travelling to Pitcairn is high, and a one-week trip can cost approximately USD 5,000, excluding accommodation costs in French Polynesia.

The island offers a unique insight into a way of life lived by the descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers, with attractions including rare bird life, historic artefacts, and pristine natural environments.

How to get to Pitcairn Island

Pitcairn Island is one of the most remote inhabited islands on Earth, located halfway between New Zealand and South America. It is one of four islands in the Pitcairn group, and the only inhabited one. The island is accessible by sea and does not have an airport, so the only way to reach it is by boat.

The best and most reliable way to get to Pitcairn Island is by first flying to Mangareva in French Polynesia, via Tahiti. Air Tahiti is the only airline that flies to Mangareva, with flights operating once a week, every Tuesday. From there, you can catch a charter vessel to the island.

The Pitcairn Islands government's chartered passenger shipping vessel, the MV Silver Supporter, provides passage from Mangareva to Pitcairn every few weeks. The journey takes approximately 32 hours. The schedule of the MV Silver Supporter allows for trips of 4, 11, or 18 days on Pitcairn, with 4 days being the most common length of stay.

Alternatively, a small number of commercial cruise ships and private yachts also visit the island. Sailing from French Polynesia is relatively practical, but sailing from other locations such as New Zealand or Chile would require crossing thousands of miles of the Pacific Ocean.

Those wishing to stay on Pitcairn for less than two weeks do not require a visa or license prior to arrival. However, for stays longer than two weeks, a license from the governor is required due to the irregularity of transport.

The cost of a return passage on the MV Silver Supporter is approximately NZ$6,000, and accommodation on the island typically costs around US$200 per night. A return flight from Papeete, Tahiti, to Mangareva typically costs around US$886.

Where to stay on Pitcairn Island

Pitcairn Island offers a range of accommodation options for visitors, including:

• Full board home stays, where guests can experience local life by sharing meals with a host family. This option typically costs USD 70 or more per person per night and includes meals and laundry.
• Semi-private studio apartments, which offer more independence but can also include shared meals with the host.
• Private 2 & 3-bedroom fully furnished homes, ideal for larger groups or those seeking more privacy.

It is important to note that visitors intending to stay on the island for longer than 14 days will need to have their accommodation organised before arrival and may require a visa. Additionally, all visitor arrivals must pay a landing fee prior to or upon arrival.

What to do on Pitcairn Island

Pitcairn Island is a remote and rugged destination, and its natural environment is one of its main attractions. The island is known for its dramatic landscape, steep cliffs, and pristine waters. It offers an insight into the living history and culture of the people of Pitcairn Island, who are the direct descendants of the island's first European settlers, the HMAV Bounty mutineers, and their Polynesian consorts.

• Explore the natural attractions: Take a walk around the island to discover its untouched subtropical environment, endemic flora and bird life, and pristine waters. Visit St. Paul's Pool, a picturesque tidal pool nestled among the seaside rocks in the eastern part of the island. Go swimming here when the ocean is calm, as swimming in the ocean itself is generally not safe due to the rocky shoreline.
• Discover the island's history: Visit the Pitcairn Island Museum in Adamstown, which houses artefacts from the Bounty, stamps, and issues of National Geographic featuring the islands. See the remains of the Bounty in Bounty Bay, where the ship was deliberately burned and sunk by the mutineers. You can also see the Bounty's anchor, which is on display in front of the Public Hall in the town square.
• Visit the local sights: Check out Fletcher Christian's Cave, where the lead mutineer is said to have watched for approaching ships and hid from his fellow settlers. See the grave of John Adams, the last surviving mutineer who Christianised the community. Visit Flatland, a small plateau with a tennis court, volleyball, and picnic facilities.
• Attend local events: On January 23, Bounty Day is celebrated with a community dinner and the burning of a model of the Bounty. On July 1, the island celebrates Pitcairn Day with sports activities and a public meal. On December 25, Christmas is marked by putting up small harvested trees in the square, with presents tied to the trees or placed around their base.
• Shop at the local market: In the town square, you can find a regular market selling local handicrafts, such as woven baskets, models of the Bounty, and carvings made from local miro wood. You can also buy local honey, which is one of the few export products from the island.
• Meet the locals: Pitcairn Island is home to a small community of welcoming locals who are happy to share their unique way of life with visitors. By staying in a "home-stay", you can share meals with a local family and gain a deeper understanding of their culture and daily life.

Please note that most routes around the island are dirt trails, and quad-bikes are the primary means of transport for locals. Visitors are not permitted to drive quad-bikes alone, but locals can drive you around for a small fee.

The history of Pitcairn Island

Polynesian people were the earliest known settlers of the Pitcairn Islands, arriving in the 11th century and living there for about 400 years. They established a thriving culture that mysteriously vanished. The islands were then uninhabited for almost three centuries until they were rediscovered by the Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandes de Queirós in 1606. The British then rediscovered the islands in 1767, naming the main island after Robert Pitcairn, the fifteen-year-old sailor who first spotted it.

In 1789, Fletcher Christian led a mutiny on the HMS Bounty, setting their captain, William Bligh, and several loyal sailors adrift. Christian and his fellow mutineers, along with their Tahitian Polynesian companions, eventually reached Pitcairn Island in 1790, where they burned and sank their ship in what is now called Bounty Bay. The mutineers and Tahitians initially coexisted peacefully, but tensions arose as the Europeans began to treat the Tahitians as property, particularly the women. This led to increasing conflict, and in 1793, four of the mutineers were killed by Polynesian men. The remaining mutineers and Tahitians struggled to coexist over the next few years, with alcohol abuse and violence being common.

In 1808, the community was rediscovered by the American sealer Topaz, captained by Mayhew Folger. News of this discovery reached Britain in 1810, but it was largely overlooked due to the country's preoccupation with the war against France. In 1814, two British warships, HMS Briton and HMS Tagus, chanced upon Pitcairn, and their captains reported a population of 46 mainly young islanders led by John Adams, the last surviving mutineer.

In the following years, Pitcairn became a port of call for whalers and passenger ships, and the population grew. Leaders of the community proposed mass emigration to relieve pressure on the island's limited natural resources, and in 1831, the islanders were relocated to Tahiti. However, they found the Tahitian way of life unsuitable and returned to Pitcairn after six months. In 1856, due to overpopulation, some of the islanders were moved to Norfolk Island, but many eventually returned to Pitcairn.

Today, the Pitcairn Islands are a British Overseas Territory, with a population of around 50, mostly descendants of the Bounty mutineers. The islands have a unique history and a dramatic landscape, attracting adventurous travellers seeking remote horizons.

How much does it cost to travel to Pitcairn Island

Pitcairn Island is one of the most isolated islands in the world, and getting there can be expensive. The cost of travelling to Pitcairn Island depends on the mode of transport and the duration of the trip. Here is a breakdown of the costs involved:

By Yacht:

• SV Xplore: Chartered by Pitcairn Travel, this 20-meter yacht offers an 8-passenger capacity trip to Pitcairn Island. The cost for a one-week trip (including 3 days on the island) is around $4500, while a two-week trip (including 10 days on the island) costs $5000. This price includes flights to and from Mangareva from Pape'ete, accommodation, and meals.
• MV Claymore II: This motor vessel acts as a supply ship to Pitcairn Island and runs about four times a year. The cost of a return trip is NZ$5000 (approximately US$3800).
• Trans-Pacific Cruise Ships: A few cruise ships may stop at Pitcairn Island, but the chances of spending a few hours on the island are slim due to the large number of passengers on board. The cost of these cruises can be high, depending on the duration, number of stops, and class of service.
• Independent Yacht Owners: While this option may seem more affordable, advertised at about half the price of other yacht services, it is not recommended due to safety concerns and the lack of recourse if things go wrong.

By Plane and Boat:

To reach Pitcairn Island by plane, one must fly to Mangareva in the Gambier Islands and then take a charter vessel to the island. Here are the estimated costs for this option:

• Flights to Mangareva: Flights from Pape'ete, Tahiti, to Mangareva can cost around XPF1000 one way.
• MV Silver Supporter: This passenger supply vessel offers voyages to Pitcairn Island with 4, 11, or 18 days on the island. A single return berth on the MV Silver Supporter costs NZ$5000 (approximately US$3800). This includes meals, bedding, and towels, but alcohol is BYOB.
• Accommodation on Pitcairn Island: There are three main options for accommodation on Pitcairn Island, ranging from $70 to $120 per night:
• Home-stay experience with a local family, including shared meals.
• Semi-private studio unit with optional shared meals.
• Private self-catering 2 or 3-bedroom house or chalet rental.
• Other Expenses: In addition to the above costs, visitors must pay a US$35 landing fee upon arrival at Pitcairn Island.

Frequently asked questions