Destination Guide

Pitcairn, Pitcairn

The Pitcairn Islands are not your average tourist destination. Not many people aim to visit a place that has only 50 inhabitants, only a handful of restaurants and hotels (which are home stays with locals), or hardly any electricity. Yet, people still fall over each other for a chance to visit this mysteriously secluded island.

The residents work hard to preserve their way of life and ask its visitors to help them do so. Visitors have the chance to experience what it's like to live in one of the most sparsely populated places in the world as they stay with Pitcairn Island residents and live the way they live. Explore the charms of this rocky volcanic island if you get the chance. It's an experience that you won't soon forget.

Getting in and around Pitcairn Island

Pitcairn Transport

Pitcairn Island is very small, sparsely populated and has limited resources. There is no air transport into Pitcairn Island. The only way to the island is by boat. Travellers can charter their own boat to the island, or there are cruises that stop over at Pitcairn. Travellers can also choose to journey aboard the dedicated passenger vessel, the MS Silver Supporter (note that this boat is also a supply vessel).

As almost all roads on the island are dirt, with limited paved roads, getting around Pitcairn Island is usually done on foot, bicycle or even by personal motor bike.

Pitcairn Car Hire

If you are visiting Pitcairn, car hire is not available. However, if you are staying with a resident, you may be able to borrow one of their vehicles to explore the island.

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Pitcairn Island accommodation

Pitcairn accommodation is limited to say the least. Homestays are available and are usually listed on the Visit Pitcairn website. These usually involve staying at a resident's home or other accommodation on the resident's property.

Other than these accommodations, there are no hotels on Pitcairn Island.

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Things to do in Pitcairn Island

You won't find your usual vacation pastimes on Pitcairn Island. Go exploring along the coastline, investigate the mysterious other three islands, and take some time to get to know the locals.

  • St. Paul's Pool. Due to the rocky shoreline, swimming in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Pitcairn is not ideal. But swimming at beautiful St. Paul's Pool, a tidal pool near the shore, is picturesque and wonderful.
  • Museum. Opening specially for guests, the museum features artifacts from Pitcairn's history, including stone tools, naval artifacts and more.
  • John Adams' Grave. John Adams was one of the last mutineers in the community to survive and the only one that was memorialised with a gravesite.
  • Walks. Pitcairn has several walking tracks to explore. Walk the Eco Trail to Sailors Hide and Christian's Cave, take advantage of the walking map and explore the island or go with a local guide to Down Rope.
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    Day trips in and around Pitcairn Islands

  • Pitcairn Islands. If you're staying with one of the locals or have access to a boat, don't miss the chance to check out the other few Pitcairn Islands as they each have their own unique charms.
  • Oeno is one of the other uninhabited islands of Pitcairn. Its sandy beaches - unlike Pitcairn's rocky ones - and are perfect for swimming and relaxing.
  • Henderson. Another one of the Pitcairn Islands, this uninhabited island has a collection of beautiful, rare birds as well as a number of caves that are perfect for diving and snorkelling. You may even see a few shipwrecks down there.
  • The Bounty. Go diving to see the remains of The Bounty that sits on the bottom of Bounty Bay. There's not much left of it but it's still a sight to see.
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