Pitcairn Island
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Warnings and insurance
Pitcairn Island is a British Overseas Territory, so there is no British Embassy, and the Pitcairn Island government will support you if you need help.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you:
- women travellers
- disabled travellers
- LGBT+ travellers
- solo and independent travel
- volunteering and adventure travel
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Entry requirements
This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.
The authorities on Pitcairn Island set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Pitcairn Islands government.
The Pitcairn Islands group is made up of the islands of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno. Pitcairn is the only inhabited island.
COVID-19 rules
There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Pitcairn Island. However, to travel on the Silver Supporter supply ship from New Zealand, you must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay on Pitcairn Island and have blank pages for stamps.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
You can visit Pitcairn Island for up to 14 days without a visa if you plan to arrive and depart on the same ship.
You must fill in a landing card on arrival.
Applying for a visa
To stay on Pitcairn Island for more than 14 days, you must contact the immigration officer for entry clearance before making any travel plans.
See more information on visas on the official Pitcairn Island tourism website.
Travelling with children
If you want to visit Pitcairn Island for more than 14 days with children aged 15 and under, you must contact Pitcairn Island Immigration before making any travel plans. You must complete an entry clearance application for any child wishing to visit the island.
FCDO does not allow its staff or contracted staff based on Pitcairn to be accompanied by their children due to limited medical facilities.
Vaccine requirements
To enter Pitcairn Island, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Pitcairn Islands guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Pitcairn Island. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
It is illegal to import:
- alcohol without a licence
- honey, or used products related to honey production
There are strict controls on plant and animal product imports. Travellers with pets should get advice before travelling.
For more information contact the Pitcairn Islands government.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism on Pitcairn Island
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism on Pitcairn Island, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Crime
Crime against visitors is uncommon.
Laws and cultural differences
Pitcairn Island is a British Overseas Territory and has its own laws.
Alcohol laws
It is illegal to import or sell alcohol without a licence.
It is also illegal to drink alcohol in a public place, including at the Landing, the Public Square and the Western Harbour.
Religion
The main religion on Pitcairn is Seventh Day Adventism, and the Sabbath is observed on Saturday. All religions are welcome in the church.
Grocery store
There is one grocery store on Pitcairn Island, which is open for 2 hours on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Accommodation
There are no hotels but self-catering and homestay accommodation with local families is available. You must book accommodation in advance.
Mobile network and internet
There is no mobile phone network on Pitcairn. VoIP calls are possible but only from people’s houses.
Internet facilities are available although speeds and capacity may be limited. Homestay guests will normally have access to local wifi facilities, possibly at additional cost.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex marriage has been legal on Pitcairn Island since 2015.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
Pitcairn Island has walking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Trails to Down Rope, Tautama and Christian’s Cave are narrow, slippery and not well marked – you should only go on these trails if an islander comes with you.
Cliffs on Pitcairn are unstable and may crumble.
See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
It can take days and possibly weeks to get medical treatment if you’re seriously injured during outdoor activities. Serious cases require medical evacuation by boat to Tahiti or New Zealand, due to limited medical facilities on Pitcairn.
Transport risks
Road travel
There are a limited number of metalled roads on Pitcairn, mostly in Adamstown. Other roads are dirt tracks.
People walk or use quad bikes to get around. Most visitors walk because all quad bikes are privately owned. Longer-term visitors who want to use a quad bike must pass a short driving test to get a licence.
Air travel
You cannot travel to Pitcairn by air. See shipping service information on the Pitcairn Islands Tourism website.
Transferring by longboat
Visitors transfer from the Silver Supporter supply ship to Pitcairn in a longboat. This can be difficult in poor weather, particularly for people with limited mobility. Crew provide life jackets, full instructions and help during the transfer.
Visitors coming ashore from cruise liners normally use the vessels’ own boats.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
There is a risk of landslides or rockfalls on Pitcairn following heavy rain.
Typhoons do not normally affect Pitcairn.
Health
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
Phone 0132 to contact the island’s doctor – there is no mobile network on Pitcairn Island but you can make VoIP calls from islanders’ houses.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
- check the latest vaccine recommendations for Pitcairn Island
- see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page
See what health risks you’ll face on Pitcairn Island.
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad.
Healthcare facilities on Pitcairn Island
Pitcairn has a modern and well-equipped medical clinic and a resident doctor, but the nearest hospital facilities are at least 2 days away by boat, in Tahiti or New Zealand.
There is no airport on Pitcairn, and evacuation in a medical emergency is not always possible. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Travel and mental health
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
Getting help
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
Pitcairn Island is a British Overseas Territory, so there is no British Embassy, and the Pitcairn Island government will support you if you need help.
Emergency services on Pitcairn Island
There are no emergency services on Pitcairn Island.
If you spot a fire, tell the nearest islander who will use VHF radio to raise the alarm. Follow islanders’ instructions if there is a fire.
Contact your travel provider and insurer
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Support from the Pitcairn Islands government
If you’re on Pitcairn Island and you need emergency help, email the island Administrator or phone 0131.