Pitcairn (British Overseas Territory) travel guide

Travel Summary

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.
  
  
• Pitcairn Island is a British Overseas Territory. There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation. The Governor's Representative on the island can provide advice if required. See the General section of this travel advice for more details.
  
  
• Visitors wishing to stay on Pitcairn for two weeks or more must contact the Pitcairn Island Office in Auckland before making any plans to travel. See the Entry Requirements (Requirements on arrival) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Transfer to and from the island is by boat and can be dangerous in adverse weather conditions. There is no regular shipping schedule and no air access to the island.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Medical facilities are limited. You should ensure that your travel insurance covers medical evacuation. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For further information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Any type of crime against visitors is rare.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Pitcairn Island Country Profile

Local Travel

Road Travel

Pitcairn has one sealed road. There are no other proper roads on Pitcairn, only dirt tracks. Transport around the island is by quad bike or on foot. All quad bikes are privately owned and therefore most visitors travel on foot. Longer-term visitors who propose using a quad bike are required to pass a driving test before a licence will be issued.

For further information see Driving Abroad.

Sea Travel

Transfer to and from the island is by boat only and can be dangerous in adverse weather conditions.

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.

Local laws and customs

You should note that it is illegal to import alcohol without a licence. It is also illegal to drink alcohol in a public place. The main religion on Pitcairn is Seventh Day Adventism. Sabbath is observed on Saturday.

The import of plant and animal products is strictly controlled and visitors should contact the Pitcairn Islands Office in Auckland for advice before travelling.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Requirements on arrival

If you wish to stay on Pitcairn for less than 2 weeks you do not require a visa or licence prior to arrival. The Immigration Officer assesses applications for short-term visitors to Pitcairn upon arrival.

Visitors wishing to stay on Pitcairn for two weeks or more must contact the Pitcairn Island Office in Auckland before making any plans to travel. Without a valid “licence to land and reside”, access to Pitcairn will not be granted. Further details of entry requirements and how to obtain a licence can be found on the following: http://www.government.pn/tourist.htm.

Passport validity

A valid passport is required. You should also check the passport and visa requirements for the countries you plan to travel through to get to Pitcairn.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

We do not currently allow our officers to be based on Pitcairn accompanied by their children.

Health

Pitcairn has a medical clinic and a resident doctor, but you should note that medical facilities are limited. The nearest hospital facilities are in French Polynesia or New Zealand, at least four days sail away. This should be taken into account when travelling with children who may be particularly vulnerable.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Pitcairn and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should ensure that your travel insurance covers medical evacuation. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the all activities you want to undertake. See Travel Insurance for more details.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Consular assistance

Pitcairn is an Overseas Territory and the Governor's Office, which is part of the British High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand, does not provide any formal consular assistance. In the event of any problems whilst visiting the island, you should contact the Governor’s Representative on island. Please not that consular and medical assistance is extremely limited. You can contact her through the Governor's Office or, if on the island, you can contact her at The Hostel.

Access to the Island

Pitcairn is halfway between New Zealand and Panama. The only access to the island is by cruise and container ships, which travel irregularly between New Zealand and the Americas via the Panama Canal and may stop at Pitcairn en-route. Alternatively it is possible to charter a yacht from French Polynesia. There is no regular shipping schedule and no air access to the island.

There are no hotels but it is usually possible to arrange homestay accommodation.

We do not currently allow our officers to be based on Pitcairn accompanied by their children.