About Inaccessible Island
Inaccessible Island is a small, uninhabited volcanic island in the South Atlantic, administered as part of the Tristan da Cunha group and noted for its wildlife conservation significance.
The island supports dense seabird colonies and relatively undisturbed native vegetation; there are no permanent settlements and visitor facilities are absent. Its remoteness and lack of safe harbour make landings difficult and infrequent.
Long visited by sailors and later subject to occasional scientific expeditions, the island has been managed for conservation in the modern era and is grouped with Gough Island as a World Heritage site for its intact bird populations.
Located roughly 400-500 kilometres south of Tristan da Cunha’s main island in the South Atlantic, Inaccessible Island lies far from major landmasses and is reachable only by sea on occasional expeditions.
- Size and Conservation Status: The island covers roughly 14.5 square kilometres and is uninhabited; it is part of the British Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha and is a UNESCO World Heritage component for its seabird colonies.
- Access Restrictions: Landing is strictly limited and usually permitted only for scientific or conservation missions; there are no harbours and access is by small boat from offshore.
Best Time to Visit Inaccessible Island
If visiting is permitted, the austral summer (November-March) offers the most reliable window for calmer seas and wildlife viewing-access is rare and tightly controlled.
Weather & Climate near Inaccessible Island
Temperate climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in September). Temperatures range from 7°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1906 mm/year), wettest in September, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 13° - 18° | 16° | 135 mm | overcast | 84% | 7.8 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 14.3h |
| February | Acceptable | 13° - 19° | 16° | 127 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.1 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.3h |
| March | Acceptable | 13° - 18° | 16° | 152 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.8 m/s | 1.5 high | 12.2h |
| April | Acceptable | 12° - 17° | 14° | 166 mm | overcast | 82% | 5.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.0h |
| May | Acceptable | 10° - 15° | 13° | 170 mm | overcast | 81% | 7.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.0h |
| June | Poor | 9° - 14° | 11° | 172 mm | overcast | 81% | 5.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
| July | Poor | 8° - 13° | 10° | 161 mm | overcast | 82% | 7.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| August | Poor | 8° - 13° | 10° | 174 mm | overcast | 81% | 7.2 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.6h |
| September | Poor | 7° - 13° | 10° | 176 mm | overcast | 81% | 7.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.7h |
| October | Poor | 8° - 14° | 11° | 167 mm | overcast | 82% | 7.5 m/s | 1.5 high | 12.9h |
| November | Acceptable | 11° - 16° | 13° | 150 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.6 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 14.0h |
| December | Acceptable | 12° - 17° | 14° | 156 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.5h |
How to Get to Inaccessible Island
Inaccessible Island is part of the Tristan da Cunha group and has no airstrip: access is only by sea. Visitors reach Tristan da Cunha by long ship voyage from Cape Town (scheduled voyages are infrequent and take several days), and any landing on Inaccessible Island requires a further small-boat transfer from Tristan island and formal permission from the island authorities; landings are difficult and tightly controlled.
Tips for Visiting Inaccessible Island
- Inaccessible Island is strictly regulated: landings are heavily restricted and generally only allowed for scientific expeditions or pre-approved visits - you must obtain permission from the Tristan da Cunha authorities and follow strict biosecurity rules.
- Plan for the austral summer (roughly December-March) when sea conditions are most favourable for safe anchoring and landing by small boats; expect very limited facilities and rigid permit conditions.