Last updated on November 27th, 2022
An isolated speck of land halfway between Tahiti and Easter Island, Pitcairn was the perfect hiding place for the infamous mutineers of the HMS Bounty in 1790. Five Hollywood films and over 1,000 books later, Pitcairn’s celebrity status far outweighs its physical size. With a current population of fewer than 50 residents, exploring its rugged landscape of tall sea cliffs and fertile valleys blends both sensation and fear. It is as remote as it gets in an already remote region, a paradise with a mysterious past and an unclear future. For those seriously out for adventure and travel accomplishments, here’s a Pitcairn Island travel guide to help make the dream come true.
Having visited over 30 islands in Polynesia, making it to Pitcairn Island was probably my toughest achievement. I was fortunate enough to spend about a full day on the island as part of an expedition-style cruise from Tahiti to Easter Island, returning on the very same cruise during the following year (I am very proud to have visited Pitcairn twice!). The information in this Pitcairn Island travel guide is based on my experiences and on extensive research.
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Pitcairn Island is a tiny “rock” in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean measuring a mere 4.5 km2. It is the only inhabited island in the Pitcairn Islands group (population less than 50). Pitcairn is located about 2,000 km west of Easter Island and 2,300 km east of Tahiti (or 14,707 km from London). Its nearest inhabited neighbor is Mangareva in the Gambier Islands group of French Polynesia, some 540 km to the northwest. Pitcairn’s closest neighbors within the group are Henderson Island and the atolls of Ducie and Oeno.
Making it to Pitcairn Island is mighty tough. In fact, it’s probably the toughest inhabited island to reach in the entire South Pacific. While Pitcairn Island is stunning from a natural perspective, without a doubt, the main “excuse” for the long (and expensive) voyage is to experience the legendary story of the mutiny on the Bounty and its aftermath on one of the smallest inhabited islands in the world. If you’re not familiar with the story of the Bounty, you cannot really fathom the feeling of visiting Pitcairn Island and appreciating the beauty that lies in its isolation from the rest of the world.
Together with its larger neighbor – Henderson Island – Pitcairn Island was likely settled by Polynesians from Mangareva somewhere between 800-1100 AD. Polynesian expansion might account for early settlement but it is more likely that Pitcairn was settled as a “trading outpost” for the Mangarevan Empire at the time. Natural resources not found on Mangareva – mostly the obsidian volcanic glass used for tools and weapons – were exported from Pitcairn to the thriving empire in exchange for food, shells, and other goods. Mangareva was essentially the umbilical cord of the isolated and fragile community in Pitcairn. When exploitation of natural resources by the Mangarevans deteriorated into civil war, trade ceased and the settlements in the Pitcairn Islands became completely cut off. Pitcairn Island was left uninhabited for centuries.
Fast forward to the year 1790. Nine British sailors and eighteen Polynesian men and women arrive in Pitcairn. The British sailors are part of a group that revolted against Captain William Bligh aboard the HMS Bounty. They were sent on a mission to deliver breadfruit plants from Tahiti to the Caribbean colonies. Having spent months in Tahiti due to various delays, Bligh’s crew fell in love with the Polynesian lifestyle and could no longer bear his abusive temper. Led by Fletcher Christian, the mutineers seek a place to hide from the British Crown and find Pitcairn Island which was incorrectly charted on maps. It made for an excellent hiding spot.
The mutineers and the Polynesians find evidence of the ancient settlement in the form of petroglyphs, temples, and fruit trees. They burn the Bounty and establish a settlement on a lush plateau in an otherwise rocky island that has no natural harbor. Shortly after, the British and the Polynesian men do not get along, and “civil war” breaks out. Mutineer John Adams is the only man to survive and he is regarded as the “father” of the modern-day settlement.
After decades in complete isolation, Pitcairn was rediscovered and trade began between the settlers and passing ships. Disease, isolation, violence from visiting crews and the infrequency of passing ships led to two evacuation waves from Pitcairn, but some Pitcairners always came back home.
Today, Pitcairn is a British Overseas Territory with a population of fewer than 50 residents living in the only settlement on the Island, Adamstown – named after “father” John Adams. The settlement’s future is still unclear, mainly due to a declining population, especially of younger age groups.
In 2004, a highly publicized sexual assault trial put a dent in Pitcairn’s image and led to a permanent police presence on the island.
The Pitcairn Islands are also a haven for nature lovers and bird watchers. Due to the chain’s remoteness, the islands are teeming with life, on land, in the air, and beneath the waves. Nearly 40 globally endangered species, such as whales, seabirds, turtles, fish and coral, all thrive in the archipelago’s nurturing environment.
Currently, Pitcairn’s population mix is comprised of descendants of the Bounty mutineers and the Polynesian men and women whom they brought with them, descendants of early visitors to Pitcairn, immigrants who settled on Pitcairn in recent decades and a police officer, teacher and a doctor on rotation from New Zealand.
Listed here are essential travel tips for those seeking to ever visit Pitcairn Island.
Here are a few key resources for both planning a trip to Pitcairn Island and understanding the background to this fascinating destination.
This is by far the most important question and there is really an easy answer to this – by boat! Pitcairn has no airfield and there are no plans of building one at the moment. Additionally, since the island has no proper harbor, both passengers and freight are delivered to the island by small rafts. This means that if sea conditions aren’t right, you won’t be able to land on the island.
So the only remaining question is which boat can take you to Pitcairn?
Pitcairn Island lies just below the Tropic of Capricorn so the weather is warm throughout the year though with some fluctuation. It is said that the best time to visit is between December to March when the weather is warmest. If you are flexible with your planning, try timing your visit to Pitcairn Island with Bounty Day – an annual public holiday celebrated on January 23rd to commemorate the arrival of the Bounty mutineers to the island. Celebrations include the burning of a model of the Bounty and a giant communal feast.
I personally visited during late October on the first visit and early November on the second. We experienced some clouds and rain, but we were able to make the landing. The main factor when visiting Pitcairn is not only the rainfall but mostly the sea conditions which will determine whether you can actually land on the island.
I personally visited Pitcairn on a cruise ship so we had less than a full day to spend exploring the island. If possible, I would recommend spending at least three full days on the island. Assuming the weather cooperates, this will allow you to see all the top sites and still have a bit of time to meander around and chat with the locals. I can easily see why spending a week on the island would make sense, as part of the magic is simply enjoying the slow pace of life on such a beautiful and remote island. Keep in mind, you will most likely not visit Pitcairn a second time!
Unless you’re sticking around for more than 14 days, a tourist visa is not necessary for Pitcairn Island, though you can have your passport stamped for a $10 fee. More information on tourist visas and immigration can be found here.
Recently, more and more local accommodations are available on Pitcairn Island. These range from homestays with local families to long-term rentals. This is a unique opportunity to spend quality time with Pitcairners who love to share their island’s history with visitors and they will also be happy to help you explore the island on guided tours (paid separately).
English and Pitkern are the official languages with the latter being a “pidgin” form of English mixed with some Tahitian – a legacy of the first years of the settlements when mutineers had to somehow communicate with the Polynesian women and men brought over to start a new life (some without consent).
If you’ve ever done some research on Pitcairn Island you will have surely noted the odd names given to some of the points on the island. Down Rope, Where Tom Fell and Oh Dear are just some examples. This stems from the early days of settlement where you simply needed to come up with catchy names for places on the island. In addition, many islanders lost their lives in accidents such as falling off a cliff so the names are both in their memory and also to warn others to take extra care.
The official currency on Pitcairn Island is the New Zealand Dollar. Apparently, there is a way to withdraw cash using a credit card on Pitcairn Island but the local economy, with respect to tourists, is based on cash. Locals are used to cruise ships visiting for a few hours and will accept all major currencies. I highly recommend carrying a mix of mostly small and a few large bills.
Pitcairn Island is best explored on foot via a maze of dirt paths that criss-cross the island. Trails leading to the top sites are signposted and tourist maps are available (linked later on in the Pitcairn Island travel guide). A popular way to explore the island is also on quad bikes – the only form of motorized transportation on Pitcairn. Locals will be happy to take you around the island for prices ranging from $50-100. In addition to the driver, two passengers can ride the quad.
At the time of writing this guide electricity on Pitcairn came from diesel generators running from 7 am to 10 pm, after which the island becomes invisible!
Be sure to have plenty of space in your suitcase because there are many lovely and rare souvenirs to bring back from your visit to Pitcairn Island. When cruise ships visit, locals erect a makeshift market in the village square. Here are a few highlights:
Click over to the next page to explore the top things to see and do on Pitcairn Island!
