🇵🇳 PITCAIRN ISLANDS
Pitcairn Islands is a group of islands in the 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 at latitude 25.04 south and longitude 130.06 west. The Islands’ administrative headquarters are situated in Auckland New Zealand, 5310km (3300 miles) away.
Anyone who sails and has heard the story of the Mutiny on the Bounty, may dream of one day visiting Pitcairn Island (pronounced Pitkern). It is entirely possible and well worth the effort for those traveling through the South Pacific with a well found yacht and by those who are capable of being independent.
Those making the effort to find the island, which is only two miles long and one mile wide, are assured of one of the warmest and most genuine welcomes that you are ever likely to receive. Currently an average of only twenty-five yachts visit in any one year. If you are blessed by good weather nearly everyone wants to stay longer than planned. Most people approach Pitcairn Island, westbound from the Galapagos, Easter Island or South America.
Pitcairn Island lies just outside the normal Southern boundaries of the SE trade winds and Tropical Storm Zone and is therefore an ideal place to visit before the season for French Polynesia. Reasonably easy and quick passages can be expected by those using the trade winds. It is also quite possible from the Gambier Islands (French Polynesia), 290 nautical miles to the North West.
WEATHER
Swell
SEVERE WEATHER IN PITCAIRN
PILOT CHARTS
PORTS OF ENTRY
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Pitcairn Island, one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, offers limited maritime services due to its small population and isolated location. Key maritime services include:
Port Facilities: Pitcairn lacks a conventional seaport. Bounty Bay serves as the primary landing area, accessible only by small longboats operated by locals. These boats ferry people and goods between visiting ships and the shore, as the island’s rugged coastline restricts access elsewhere.
Shipping Services: The MV Silver Supporter is the island’s dedicated passenger and cargo supply ship, operating regular voyages between Mangareva, French Polynesia, and Pitcairn Island. As of April 2024, the vessel increased its services to 29 return trips annually, enhancing connectivity for residents and visitors.
Marine Science Base: In February 2024, Pitcairn opened a state-of-the-art Marine Science Base. This facility supports scientific research and monitoring of the surrounding marine environment, contributing to the conservation of the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve.
Marine Protected Area (MPA): Established in 2015, the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve is one of the largest on Earth, covering approximately 324,000 square miles. The reserve aims to protect the pristine marine ecosystems surrounding the islands, with ongoing efforts to monitor and conserve its biodiversity.
Government PN
DOCUMENTS
Making Contact
It is possible to contact Pitcairn prior to arriving by email, but otherwise, calling on VHF Channel 16 (call sign Pitcairn) from about 12 miles out will normally elicit a response, during daylight. It is worth asking advice as to where to anchor. In addition to Bounty Bay, there are 3 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 roily. Your best advice is to listen to the information on where to anchor from the locals. They are able to scout the anchorages from the land if needed.
Anchoring
In Bounty Bay the sand can be clearly seen and you should aim to anchor between the eleven and fourteen meter contours. If using chain, at least five times the depth is recommended for peace of mind and your yachts security. The swell could drag out anything less. Aim 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.
It is possible to enter Bounty Bay safely at night if there is enough ambient light. Before 2200 local time (UTC -8), shore side yellow street lights may be visible by the landing. There are other yellow street lights. Again call on the radio and seek local advice.
Water Taxi Service
If called on the VHF Islanders will make arrangements to come and pick you up from your yacht – weather permitting. Put fenders down on the lee side and let the locals do the rest. For the first time this is highly recommended as a large amount of skill and experience is needed to negotiate the swell on the approach to the landing area at Bounty Bay, unless it is absolutely flat. This is extremely rare. Clothing should be comfortable, loose and something you don’t mind getting wet, muddy and, in the summer months, very dusty.
Landing Procedures
You will be met if they didn’t pick you up, by the combined Police & Immigration, Quarantine and Tourism Officials. Remember to carry with you your passports and ships registration document. Remember also to bring some drinking water with you – 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. The paperwork you will be relieved to hear is minimal and those used to Panama, South America and the Galapagos will be delighted by its ease.
Landing Fees
All Yacht passengers landing on any of the 4 islands in the Pitcairn Islands group are required to pay a landing fee per person / per island.
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Adults 18 years and older: $100 NZD
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Under the age of 18 years to 5 years: $50 NZD
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5 years and under: no charge.
Ship to Shore transfers
If you require a water taxi service to pick you up and bring you ashore, the following rates apply:
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Pick-up / Return Bounty Bay: $70 NZD per trip.
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Pick-up / Return Tedside (Western Harbour): $100 NZD per trip.
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Pick-up / Return Ginger Valley $150 NZD per trip.
You are also welcome to use your own tender at 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.
You’ll be warmly welcomed by the Tourism Coordinator, given a quick familiarization visit, some tourist information and you’re likely to be invited for tea, coffee and fruit somewhere.
MUST SEE
- Pitcairn Island, located at approximately 25°04′S latitude and 130°06′W longitude, offers several notable attractions:
- Bounty Bay: The primary landing area where the HMS Bounty was scuttled by the mutineers. Coordinates: 25°04′S, 130°05′W.
- The Edge: A lookout providing panoramic views over Bounty Bay, featuring commemorative plaques honoring the island’s original settlers. Coordinates: 25°04′S, 130°06′W.
- Pitcairn Island Museum: Located in Adamstown, the museum houses artifacts from the HMS Bounty and offers insights into the island’s unique heritage. Coordinates: 25°04′S, 130°06′W.
- Fletcher Christian’s Cave: A short hike from Adamstown leads to this cave, believed to be a lookout point for the mutineer Fletcher Christian. Coordinates: 25°04′S, 130°06′W.
- Down Rope: A challenging descent to a secluded beach adorned with ancient Polynesian petroglyphs, offering a glimpse into the island’s pre-European history. Coordinates: 25°05′S, 130°06′W.
- Henderson Island: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this uninhabited island is home to rare bird species and pristine ecosystems. Coordinates: 24°22′S, 128°19′W.
- Whale Watching: Between July and November, humpback whales frequent the waters around Pitcairn, providing opportunities for observation from the shore.
REPAIRS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS
Pitcairn Island, one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, offers limited maritime services due to its small population and isolated location. Key maritime services include:
Port Facilities: Pitcairn lacks a conventional seaport. Bounty Bay serves as the primary landing area, accessible only by small longboats operated by locals. These boats ferry people and goods between visiting ships and the shore, as the island’s rugged coastline restricts access elsewhere.
Shipping Services: The MV Silver Supporter is the island’s dedicated passenger and cargo supply ship, operating regular voyages between Mangareva, French Polynesia, and Pitcairn Island. As of April 2024, the vessel increased its services to 29 return trips annually, enhancing connectivity for residents and visitors.
Marine Science Base: In February 2024, Pitcairn opened a state-of-the-art Marine Science Base. This facility supports scientific research and monitoring of the surrounding marine environment, contributing to the conservation of the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve.
Marine Protected Area (MPA): Established in 2015, the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve is one of the largest on Earth, covering approximately 324,000 square miles. The reserve aims to protect the pristine marine ecosystems surrounding the islands, with ongoing efforts to monitor and conserve its biodiversity.
Government PN
EMERGENCIES AND SAR INFO
EMERGENCIES AND SAR INFO
JRCC Tahiti
Type: JRCC | SPOC, Country:
SRR:
Tel: +689 40 54 16 16
Fax: +689 40 42 39 15
Email: contact@jrcc.pf