Pitcairn Island

Pitcairn Island is the sole inhabited island of the Pitcairn group in the South Pacific and is part of the British Overseas Territory of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands. The island is volcanic, very remote, and home to a single small community centred at the village of Adamstown.

The island is visited mainly by small numbers of tourists arriving on occasional ships, researchers and relatives of residents; attractions include the historic connection to the HMS Bounty mutineers, local crafts and extremely remote island landscapes. There is no airport and landings are by longboat at the rocky beach at Bounty Bay, which can be restricted by sea state and weather.

Pitcairn was settled in the late 18th century by mutineers from HMS Bounty together with Tahitian companions; the community has remained small and uniquely isolated, with English as the main language and a distinctive local culture. Governance is as a British Overseas Territory with local island council administration.

The island sits in the South Pacific Ocean, more than 2,000 kilometres from the nearest large landmasses; Adamstown is located on the sheltered western side of the island and serves as the port and community centre.

• Very limited access: There is no airstrip or regular ferry service; access is by infrequent supply or passenger ship and landing is by longboat, so travel requires advance planning and coordination with island authorities.
• Small population and limited services: Population is very small-typically a few dozen residents-so visitor facilities are minimal and accommodation is limited to a small guesthouse and occasional homestays.

What to See #

• Adamstown: The tiny settlement of Adamstown is the island's only town and administrative centre, hosting the island council, the small guesthouse and most services used by visitors.
• Bounty Bay: Bounty Bay is the island's main landing point and beach; rough seas require transfer by longboat from visiting ships and make landings weather-dependent.