Freighter Travel to Pitcairn

Pitcairn is home to around 50 permanent residents, most of whom are descendants of the
descendants of the mutineers of the Bounty and their Polynesian companions who
who settled on the island in 1790.

Home stay accommodations include high-speed wifi and there is public wifi at the town square in Adamstown.

All voyages are coordinated with the Tuesday Air Tahiti flight, in and out of Mangareva. There are currency exchange ATMs to get XPF on arrival at the international airport of Papeete, but not on Mangareva.

The flight arrives at Mangareva between 11.30 - 12.30am. Passengers disembark the plane then board the local ferry to the main island. The ferry is located directly outside the airport. The fare is XPF1000,  payable in cash (each way) when boarding. The crossing takes approximately 40 minutes. When passengers arrive at the main island they will be meet by our Silver Supporter crew for transfer to the ship after a visit to the gendarmerie for immigration clearance.

Passenger depart Mangareva for Pitcairn around 4pm that same day, they spend 2 nights on-board and arrive at Pitcairn in the early hours of the Thursday morning.

The Pitcairn Long boat will be launched from shore around 8.00am, depending on sea and whether conditions, passengers are transferred to the landing at Bounty Bay where their accommodation hosts will welcome them and transfer them  to their accommodation.

The return trip to Mangareva from Pitcairn will entail departure from Bounty Bay at around 4pm. The ship will sail direct to Mangareva and arrive well before dawn. Passengers will have breakfast on board and crew will then transfer them, by tender, back to the main island in plenty of time to take the ferry back to the airport. All in good time to check-in and board the Tuesday flight back to Papeete.

The official currency of Pitcairn is the New Zealand dollar (NZD), but the US dollar (USD) and the French Pacific franc (CFP or XPF) are also accepted. The government treasury is open 3 days a week, where credit card withdrawals and foreign currency can be exchanged. On Pitcairn, payments are made in cash; there are ATMs at Papeete International Airport where XPF can be withdrawn and exchanged, but not on Mangareva.

Humpback whales usually stay in the waters around Pitcairn between June and October, with the most sightings in August.

While Pitcairn Island shares some aspects of a typical Pacific island climate, it also has unique characteristics influenced by its specific geographical location and topography. In summer (November to April), temperatures range between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, while in winter (from May to October) they can drop to 17 degrees Celsius. Humidity is between 60 and 90 % all year round.

In winter, the roads and sidewalks can be muddy and slippery. Be particularly careful at this time. In summer, on the other hand, the island turns into a rather dry landscape where there may be a high risk of fire. Please be extremely careful, especially when extinguishing cigarettes.

Freshwater production on Pitcairn depends on rainfall. In dry weather, be careful to conserve water to maintain the island's water supply.

Accommodations on Pitcairn Island are Homestays. Guests can enjoy a full Pitcairn home stay experience - sharing all meals and amenities in the home of a local family, or they can opt for a semi private or private studio unit with optional shared meals or selfcatering. There are also a couple of private 2 or 3 bedroom houses available for small groups.

Most of the transportation on Pitcairn is done on foot or with quad bikes for short distances. The island is rather small at 47 km2 and the hilly landscape and lack of paved roads makes conventional cars impractical. Transportation needs are met by a combination of walking, quad bikes and other smaller vehicles suited to the local conditions.

All Pitcairn Accommodation hosts welcome their guests at the Bounty Bay Landing on arrival providing free transfers, generally via 4 wheel Quad Bikes. Quad Bikes are the primary means of transportation on the island. While islanders are skilled riders in all types of weather and road conditions, quads bikes are not actually designed to carry passengers. Visitors should be aware that travelling on quad bikes happens at the passenger’s own risk. Local safety standards require that no more than 2 passengers per vehicle may be carried at any one time.

Explore the island's natural beauty, including scenic views, lush landscapes, and unique flora and fauna. Hiking trails allow visitors to discover the island's diverse ecosystems.

Visit historical sites such as Fletcher Christian's Cave, where the leader of the Bounty mutineers is said to have taken refuge.

Experience the island's culture through local arts and crafts. The islanders engage in traditional carving and weaving, and their works are often available at local markets and the Pitkern Artisans Gallery.

Participate in or observe community events, gatherings, and activities organized by the residents. Pitcairn has a close-knit community, and visitors are often welcomed to join in local celebrations. You can dine with the entire Pitcairn population in one sitting!

Stargazing in Mata Ki Te Rangi- meaning 'Eyes To The Sky' - International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

Explore the underwater world around Pitcairn through snorkeling or diving. The surrounding waters offer opportunities to witness marine life and coral formations in one of the worlds largest marine reserves. You can also swim in the magically picturesque St. Paul´s Pool.

Engage with the friendly local community. Pitcairn has a unique and fascinating history, and residents are often willing to share their stories with visitors. 
You can play a game of Tennis or join a local to go fishing.

Photography: Capture the breathtaking landscapes and seascapes of Pitcairn. The island provides numerous opportunities for photography enthusiasts.

The Pitcairn pub "The Whale's Tooth Inn", "Andy's Pizzeria" and "Christian's Cafe" are currently not open. However, your accommodation includes full board.
 

Clothing should be casual, comfortable, light and appropriate for a subtropical climate. Pitcairn visitors are advised to bring pants, a warm sweater and a light rain jacket for wet weather and cooler winter nights. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential in the summer months. To explore Pitcairn Island you will need comfortable, sturdy walking shoes. Many of the roads and paths leading to the island's historic and natural attractions are steep and gravelly - caution is advised regardless of weather conditions.

Pitcairn packing list:

- All personal hygiene items
- Medication against motion sickness/seasickness
- Travel adapter for Australia/New Zealand (230-volt plug)
- Insect repellent
- A good pair of hiking boots/ sandals
- Light wind/rain jacket
- Cash for souvenirs. The official currency on Pitcairn is the New Zealand dollar, but all souvenirs and accommodation are paid for in US dollars (Credit cards can be used at the island's treasury to load cash onto your cards).

All meals aboard the MV Silver Supporter are included in the travel fare.
It is not possible to stay aboard the MV Silver Supporter overnight while stationed on the shore of Pitcairn.
This trip is unfortunately not barrier-free, as embarkation and disembarkation at Pitcairn is by rope ladder.

Due to the small number of cabins (5) and the high demand on the Mangareva - Pitcairn section, it is not possible to book cabins for single use, you will share a cabin with a fellow traveller of the same gender for the outward and return journey (2x2 nights).

There is a general store, post office and tax office in Adamstown, all of which are open between 8.30am and 10.30am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. This means that they are usually open on the morning that visitors arrive on Pitcairn so that they can stock up on essentials, buy postcards and exchange money. There is also a health center with a full-time doctor and a community nurse. The Pitkern Artisans Gallery is also open when visitors are ashore. International telephone and wifi internet services are also available.

The islanders of Pitcairn still practice traditional carving and weaving skills, and these and a wide range of curios and other souvenirs can be purchased at the local markets and Island Artisans Gallery.

Cancellation/refund conditions (Cancellations must be made in writing):

• 6 days and less before departure - 100% of the fare = no refund.
• 7 - 21 days and less before departure 50% = 50% refund.
• Over 21 days 10% of the fare = 90% refund.

Pitcairn as a remote destination is not barrier-free. Visitors to Pitcairn Island need to be able to ascend and descend steep stairways on a moving vessel (Silver Supporter), transfer from the ship, via a Jacob's ladder, to a longboat to get ashore, with ease. Visitors should be able to use the bathroom and other facilities without assistance.

There is no age limit for a voyage to Pitcairn, but being physically fit and aware of one's limitations is important when considering Pitcairn as a travel destination. If potential visitors have recently experienced injury or illness they should ensure they have been granted medical clearance before making travel plans. If visitors take regular medication they should consult their doctor to seek additional supplies to more than cover their proposed travel period. Given the isolation of the Pitcairn Island all travellers are required to have travel medical evacuation insurance cover which must include provision for medical evacuation.

You will be cleared by New Zealand Immigration and Customs while you are still on board the ship. Once the captain has authorised your departure, you will be taken to the gate to leave the port.

If you would like to extend your stay in French Polynesia, we recommend the Marquesas Islands round trip with the supply ship Aranui 5! Click here to go to the travel page.