Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• 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 General- Consular Assistance.
  

• Visitors wishing to stay on Pitcairn for two weeks or more, or wishing to travel with children must contact the Pitcairn Island Office in Auckland before making any plans to travel. See Entry Requirements - Requirements on arrival.
  

• There is no air access to the island. A regular shipping service operates between Pitcairn and Mangareva. Details of sailings can be found on visitpitcairn.pn Transfer to and from the island is by longboat and can be dangerous in adverse weather conditions.
  

• There is a low threat from terrorism on Pitcairn.  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.
  

• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  Medical facilities are limited. See the General - Insurance.

Safety and security

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.  See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime

Any type of crime against visitors is rare. See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel 

Safety and Security - 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. See our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Sea Travel  

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

See our River and Sea Safety page.

Safety and Security - Political Situation 

Local laws and customs

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.

See our Your Trip page.

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements - Requirements on arrival

Any adult wishing to stay on Pitcairn for less than two weeks does not require a visa or licence prior to arrival, and does not need to complete an entry clearance application in advance of their visit.  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.

Entry Requirements - 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. 

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

Visitors wishing to travel to Pitcairn with children under 16 years must contact the Pitcairn Island Office before making any plans to travel. An entry clearance application will need to be completed for any child wishing to visit the island. The Pitcairn Island Office can provide further details.

The FCO does not currently allow our officers based on Pitcairn to be 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.

Exercise precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

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 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

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  Ensure that your travel insurance covers medical evacuation. 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 see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registration  
Register with the FCO's 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. 

General - 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, contact the Governor’s Representative on island. Please note that consular and medical assistance is extremely limited. 

General - Access to the Island 
Pitcairn is roughly halfway between New Zealand and Panama. There is a regular shipping service between Pitcairn and Mangareva. Further details can be found at www.visitpitcairn.pn. There is no air access to the island. There are no hotels but self-catering and homestay accommodation is available.