Pitcairn Islands
About Pitcairn Islands
| Currency | New Zealand Dollar (NZD) |
| Language | English |
| Capital | Adamstown |
The Pitcairn Islands, a British Overseas Territory composed of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, are located in the southern Pacific Ocean. Only Pitcairn island is inhabited. The Governor of the Pitcairn Islands is the representative of the Queen of the United Kingdom; the administrative headquarters is located in Auckland, New Zealand.
In the early centuries, the Pitcairn Islands were inhabited or frequently visited by Polynesian peoples, as evidenced by the glyphs that can be seen etched into the rocks. European explorers discovered the islands in 1767, and in 1790 the islands were inhabited by British mutineers of the Royal Navy ship “Bounty” and their Tahitian companions. In 1838, Pitcairn Island became a British colony. In 2014, the population of the Pitcairn Islands was estimated to be only 57 people. Although the economy of this small, remote island group relies heavily on British foreign aid, tourism may be a promising new sector for economic development.
Due to its location in the south Pacific, the Pitcairn Islands have a subtropical climate with high humidity and average yearly temperatures of approximately 20-30ºC.
Because of Henderson Island’s unique flora and fauna – it has 9 plant species and several species of birds found nowhere else in the world – Henderson Island is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Moreover, in 2015, the British government established the largest marine reserve in the world (834,000 square km) around the Pitcairn Islands to protect the pristine waters, diverse wildlife and healthy ecosystem. Moreover, the Pitcairn Islands have been recognized as important habitats for a variety of bird species.
With access to the Pitcairn Islands only available by ship (a journey of more than 30 hours), this very remote island group is secluded from mainstream tourism and its natural beauty is largely untouched.
Recommended Vaccinations For Pitcairn Islands
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
For Some Travellers
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).
Yellow Fever Vaccine
There is no yellow fever risk, but a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Typhoid Fever Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.
Recommended Medications For Pitcairn Islands
There are no recommendations for Pitcairn Islands at this time.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Pitcairn Islands
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus in this country through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B
There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in this country.
For Some Travellers
Measles
There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.
Rabies
The risk of acquiring Rabies is low. However, it may be present in bats. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) may be at risk.
Tuberculosis
Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
Typhoid Fever
Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in this country, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.
Yellow Fever
There is no yellow fever risk, but a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Safety & Security in Pitcairn Islands
Personal Safety
The Pitcairn Islands have an exceptionally low crime rate. Crime against visitors is uncommon, and the tiny population of around 35 to 50 residents maintains a close-knit community atmosphere. Residents and visitors report feeling completely safe during both day and night. However, the island’s extreme remoteness creates unique risks. Medical evacuation can take days or even weeks since serious cases require transport by boat to Mangareva and then flight to Tahiti or New Zealand. The small medical clinic provides only basic care with a resident doctor. No emergency services exist on the island; if you spot a fire, you must alert the nearest islander who will use VHF radio to raise the alarm. The rugged terrain presents physical dangers, especially on walking trails to Down Rope, Tautama and Christian’s Cave, which are narrow, slippery and poorly marked. Cliffs are unstable and may crumble without warning. Getting to the island itself poses challenges, as there is no harbour or jetty. Visitors transfer from supply ships to the island via longboat, which can be difficult in poor weather. The island’s isolation means help is not readily available, so you must plan for self-sufficiency and understand that you’re effectively on your own in emergencies.
Extreme Violence
Violent crime is virtually non-existent on Pitcairn Islands. Physical attacks, hate crimes and harsh rhetoric are extremely rare regardless of your background. The island is noted for having a very low frequency of violence, with 97 out of 100 people reporting they did not encounter any violence, including physical altercations, verbal abuse or harassment. Drug use and dealing are also exceptionally uncommon, with 98 out of 100 individuals reporting no encounters with drug users, drug activities or drug-related crimes. There is no recent history of terrorism on Pitcairn Island, though attacks cannot be ruled out entirely. However, the island has a troubling historical context. Between 1999 and 2004, a high-profile sexual assault trial revealed widespread sexual abuse dating back at least three generations. In 2004, seven men living on Pitcairn faced 55 charges relating to sexual offences against children and young adults, representing one-third of the island’s male population. Six out of seven defendants were found guilty, and additional trials were held in Auckland for men living abroad. Since the trials concluded, the British government has implemented robust child safeguarding policies, procedures and standards, which remain under constant review.
Political Unrest
Pitcairn Island has a stable political environment. Civil unrest is rare, and there are no political parties on the islands. The territory functions as a parliamentary representative democratic dependency, where the Mayor serves as head of government elected for a three-year term. The Island Council consists of 10 seats with members serving various terms. Elections are held every two years for councillors and deputy mayor, and every three years for mayor. The islands are a British Overseas Territory governed under the Local Government Ordinance of 1964. With a population of only around 35 to 50 people, Pitcairn represents the smallest democracy in the world by population. The community is extremely small and close-knit, which means political tensions or demonstrations that could disrupt travel plans are highly unlikely. The government’s administrative offices are located in Auckland, New Zealand, and the British High Commissioner to New Zealand serves as Governor. Daily affairs since 1999 have been managed by the elected mayor of Pitcairn. There are no indications of political instability or unrest that would affect visitors.
Areas To Avoid
Given the island’s tiny size of just 3.2 kilometres long and 1.6 kilometres wide, there are no specific areas designated as dangerous zones to avoid in terms of crime or civil disorder. However, certain natural areas present physical hazards. The walking trails to Down Rope, Tautama and Christian’s Cave are narrow, slippery and not well marked. You should only attempt these trails with an islander as your guide. Cliffs throughout the island are unstable and may crumble, so you must maintain a safe distance from cliff edges at all times. Bounty Bay, the island’s only access point, has no harbour or jetty, making landing challenging in poor weather. Following heavy rain, there is a risk of landslides or rockfalls across the island. The rugged terrain and steep slopes southeast of Adamstown require caution, especially when hiking or exploring less accessible areas. The island’s remote nature means that if you encounter difficulties in any location, emergency assistance will be severely delayed. You should always inform your hosts where you are going when exploring independently and carry drinking water in hot weather.
