Saga Holidays big cruise ship Saga Rose dwarfs the small Pitcairn longboat O'Leary lying alongside the ship deck during the vessel's call at Pitcairn Island in 1998

There is no air service to Pitcairn Island. The closest one can get to Pitcairn by air is an airstrip on the island of Mangareva in the Gambier Islands group, which is located some 900 miles southeast of Tahiti and more than 300 miles from Pitcairn.

In the mid-to-late 1900s, about the only way one could get to Pitcairn Island, save by private boat or yacht, was to find a commercial ship from either Wellington or Auckland in New Zealand whose captain was willing to drop his passenger off at Pitcairn Island. For several decades the personnel of the Pitcairn Commissioner's office in Auckland were most helpful in finding such shipping for those desiring to visit the Island.

Not long after the 21st century began, a ship of the Stoney Creek Shipping Company (of New Zealand) began ferrying people on an irregular basis from the airstrip at Mangareva to Pitcairn. Before the end of the first decade of the new century at least one other vessel was making irregular passenger voyages to the Island.

As of 2012, there is a regularly scheduled shipping service to Pitcairn from the airstrip at Mangareva. The passenger-cargo ship Claymore II originates a schedule each quarter that begins in the vessel's home port of Tauranga, New Zealand and voyages to Pitcairn Island with both passengers and cargo for the Island. Then through the quarter Claymore II voyages back and forth from Pitcairn to Mangareva, picking up passengers at Mangareva for Pitcairn. At the end of the quarter Claymore II travels back to New Zealand to receive new cargo for Pitcairn, and then begins its quarterly voyaging schedule again.

Here is the current Pitcairn voyaging schedule of Claymore II

An additional travel service, Pitcairn Travel, offers voyages to the Island. The 2013 schedule of this service may be seen at www.pitcairntravel.pn.

Places To Stay on Pitcairn

In addition, many people visit Pitcairn Island, usually for a few hours rather than for days or weeks, by way of a number of large cruise ships that call at the Island during what is known locally as "cruise ship season."

The Ships That Call at Pitcairn

With each vessel that calls at Pitcairn Island, whether it be it a huge, multi-deck "ro-ro" (roll-on, roll-off) ship carrying thousands of automobiles, a small sailing yacht, or a thousand-passenger cruise ship, there is always accompanying interest, even excitement among the Pitcairn people; a visitor has come! And the questions begin: "What country is this ship coming from?" "What is its cargo?" "Who is its captain or skipper?" "Where place is it bound for?" "Is there a chance we can offer our island crafts and products for sale on board the ship?" "Will the captain allow his passengers to come ashore for an island visit?" "Are there surplus items s on board the ship we need and can purchase?" "Is this the first of on-going calls the ship will be making at Pitcairn, or is this a "this-time-only" call? . . . the questions are many and the answer to each one is important to the survival of Pitcairn Island.

Thanks to the excellent photography of Pitcairner Brian Young (some of it obtained under extremely difficult weather and sea conditions), the Pitcairn Islands Study Center is able to present the following photographic log of ships that have called at the island in the recent past.

April 27, 2013, French frigate Prairial (F731)

On April 27, in rough seas and with 96 crew members on board, the French naval frigate Prairail called at Pitcairn Island from Easter Island, her last port of call. Because of the prevailing rough sea conditions, the vessel was brought to anchor at Tedside on the lee side of Pitcairn, and all crew members then came ashore to enjoy themselves. According to a Pitcairner, "A helicopter from the ship was flying around the island on both days the ship was here." A sumptuous Pitcairn dinner was served to the crew on shore on Saturday evening, and the Prairail's crew returned the favor with a barbeque lunch on Sunday before the ship departed Pitcairn for Mururoa Atoll at 4 p.m. The 2,590-ton Prairial is powered by four diesel engines that can speed her through the seas at 20 knots. Her length is 307 feet, with a beam of 14 feet. She was launched on March 16, 1991. Prairail's home port is Tahiti.
April 24, 2013, General cargo ship Dijksgracht

In windy, rainy weather on April 24, the general cargo ship Dijksgracht hove to off Bounty Bay at Pitcairn Island, and the Pitcairners were welcomed aboard by Dijksgracht's Master, Douwe Hokwerda, to sell or trade their island products, crafts and curios. After having transited the Panama Canal, the 17,381-ton ship was bound for Auckland, New Zealand. Flying the flag of The Netherlands, Dijksgracth was built in 2008, has a length of 157 meters and a beam of 22 meters. "Trading was good," during the ship's three-hour stop at the island, said a Pitcairner.
April 17, 2013,Sailing Yacht Pacific Cool, and Sailing Yacht Hasta Luego

With French Captain Jean Pierre and his partner on board on April 17, the sailing yacht Pacific Cool arrived off Pitcairn Island at the same time as did the sailing yacht Hasta Luego, both vessels arriving from the east, their last port of call before Pitcairn being the Galapagos Islands. Pacific Cool is an Armel 53, French-built vessel, "A very nice looking boat," said a Pitcairner. Captain Henry and one crew member were on board at the Hasta Luego's arrival off Bounty Bay. Both yachts departed Pitcairn for Mangareva island 310 miles to the west, late in the evening of April 18.
April 15, 2013,Catarman My Muse

After showing her colorful sails off Bounty Bay on the morning of April 15, the catamaran My Muse came to anchor and those on board came ashore to spend time on Pitcairn Island for several days. Those coming ashore were an unnamed husband and wife, two children, a crew member, and a dog. There was a bit of a mix-up about Pitcairn's laws as to whether dogs off calling vessels could come ashore, but that discussion took place after the dog was ashore. On the morning of April 19, My Muse lifted her sails for Mangareva in the Gambier Islands after her captain and crew having had a happy time at Pitcairn Island, home of the Bounty mutineers.
April 8, 2013, Yacht Nana and Catamaran Elsie

On a voyage from Columbia, Latin America, to the Gambier Islands, the yacht Nana called at Pitcairn Island early in the morning of April 8. The vessel was anchored at Tedside in the lee of the island, and the Swedish couple on board came ashore to visit throughout the day. Nana set sail in the evening of the 8th , her course being for Mangareva in the Gambiers. Also on the 8th, the catamaran Elsie arrived at Pitcairn from an unknown earlier port of call. In "quite rough" seas Elsie also made anchorage at Tedside, and the vessel's occupants – an American couple with two children and a fifth person as crew – went ashore where they visited in the day, mostly in the Pitcairn Museum and at the Post Office. In company with the Nana, Elsie sailed to the west in the evening of April 8, looking for smoother waters.
April 7, 2013, The yacht Sauvage

On a bell-clear day in early April the trim little yacht Sauvage called at Pitcairn Island. The vessel's last port of call before arriving at Pitcairn was Easter Island, and her destination after leaving the island was Mangareva in the Gambier Islands group. The Sauvage visited Pitcairn from April 7 until she sailed westward on April 11.
February 25, 2013, MV Dynamogracht

The 17,967-ton general cargo ship Dynamogracht called briefly at Pitcairn Island on February 25, 2013. The Netherlands-registered ship last port of call before arriving at Pitcairn was Panama, and after leaving Pitcairn she was bound for Auckland, New Zealand. One of many Gracht ships that are always welcomed at Pitcairn Island, the Dynamogracht was built in 2010, and has a length of 157 meters and a beam of 23 meters. The ship is distinguished by her three large booms that speed the on and off-loading of cargo.
February 15, 2013, Pacific Princess

Princess Cruises'30,277-ton cruise ship Pacific Princess called at Pitcairn Island on February 15, 2013, the latest of several annual visits this welcome visitor has made to the island. Built in France, the Bermuda-registered Princess cruises at 20 knots, measures 592 feet in length and has a crew of 373 to serve her hundreds of passengers who enjoy the many pleasures found on her 10 decks. The call of the Pacific Princess at Pitcairn Island is always a source of excitement and gladness among the Pitcairners every time she shows her sleek lines off Bounty Bay.
February 2, 2013, Arcadia

Operated by P&O Cruises, Arcadia's call at Pitcairn island on February 2, came after she had called at Easter Island. Following her call at Pitcairn she was bound for Tahiti in the Marquesas Islands, north by northwest of Pitcairn. A beautiful, giant-size vessel of 86,799 gross tons, Arcadia's length is 951 feet, and her beam, side-to-side is 32 feet. She carries a crew of 976 to serve a maximum of 2,388 passengers. She was built by Fincantieri at their shipyard in Marghera, Italy, and is the third largest of seven ships currently in service with P&O Cruises. The ship officially entered service with the company in April 2005, and is an adult-only cruise ship.
January 15, 2013, Europa

Hapag-Lloyd's beautiful 28,890-ton, 408-passenger cruise ship Europa is no stranger to the people of Pitcairn Island. She is a looked-forward-to friend every time she shows her sleek lines off Bounty Bay. Her call at Pitcairn on January 15, came following a call at Easter Island. After what a number of her passengers called "a joyful visit" at Pitcairn, Europa was bound for Tahiti in the Marquesas Islands. Launched in 1999, she is Hapag-Lloyd's upmarket flagship which primarily serves Europe's German-speaking travelers, but is also well known to a more global cruise audience. The storied guidebook Berlitz has long ranked Europa as its top-ranked cruise ship. In fact, she is the only vessel in the guide that has consistently merited a five-plus ranking (every year for more than a decade). The seven-deck Europa has a crew of 264, and is registered in the Bahamas.
January 3, 2013, Marina

Marina called at Pitcairn from Easter Island. After her Pitcairn call she sailed for Tahiti in the Marquesas Islands. Sailing for the Ocean Cruises cruise ship company, the 66,084-ton, 789-foot-long Marina began her cruise ship life in May 2012. She is thought to be one of the most beautiful, eloquent and sophisticated ships to take to the sea in the past 50 years. Marina has 15 decks, a beam (side-to-side) of 106 feet, and cruises at 20 knots. Her guest capacity is1,250 passengers (double occupancy). Registered in the Marshall Islands, it is said of the Marina that her accommodations in every category "are incredibly spacious, especially with regard to the lavish bathrooms.".
December 25, 2012, Caledonian Sky

The motor vessel Caledonian Sky (former names, Hebridean Spirit, Renaissance VI ) called at Pitcairn on Christmas day, 2012. Under the control of her Captain Newman, she had come from Easter Island to the east and was bound for Mangareva in French Polynesia which lies some 300 miles west by northwest from Pitcairn. The Sky is a handsome yacht style ship featuring lots of polished wood and providing a comfortable cruise experience in elegant surroundings. She is operated by Noble Caledonia, was built in 1991, and refitted in 2001. She is of 4,200 tons, accommodates 114 passengers and a crew of 74. The ship's officers are British.

Annual Pitcairn Shipping List

Except for cruise ships, few of the vessels that call at Pitcairn Island are known to the island in advance of their appearance off Bounty Bay, the landing area of the island. The vessels that call may be from almost any country of the world and of almost any type that floats: sailing yachts, container ships, sea-going tugs, tramp steamers, French naval ships, roll-on roll-off auto carriers, banana boats, bulk carriers, heavy-lift ships, fishing vessels... In years past a careful record of every ship calling at Pitcairn (save for those whose captains did not want their owners to know of the call) was kept on the island. Today the record-keeping that is made public, save for that kept unpublicized by Pitcairn's customs officer, is definitely hit and miss. Through the good services of Pitcairn Island Police Sargeant Bill Lambie, the following is a near complete list of the vessels calling at Pitcairn in 2012.

Year 2013

January 8

Ocean Cruises' cruise ship Marina, with a capicity of 1,250 passengers, from Easter Island, bound for Tahiti, Marquesas Islands.

January 15

Hapag-Lloyd's 28,890-ton cruise ship Europa, from Easter Island, bound for Tahiti, after what many on the ship called "a joyful visit" at Pitcairn Island.

January 22

Sailing ship Picton Castle, Captain Danny Moreland, bound to the west. This ship brings the ship's chief engineer, David 'DB' Brown, home to his family on Pitcairn. Picton Castle departs Pitcairn to the west on January 28.

January 24

Holland America Line's 62,735-ton cruise ship Amsterdam calls at the island to drop supplies only.

February 12

P&O's 86,799-ton cruise ship Arcadia from Easter Island, bound for Tahiti in the Marquesas Islands. This ship's crew of 976 serves a maximum of 2,388 passengers.

February 15

Princess Cruises' cruise ship Pacific Princess, from Easter Island, bound for Tahiti.

February 20

Stoney Creek Shipping's passenger-cargo vessel Claymore 2, from New Zealand, bound for Managreva in the Gambier Islands. The ship brings supplies to the island. When she departs she takes two Pitcairners.

February 25

An unnamed cargo ship, and an unnamed yacht call at Pitcairn Island on this date.

February 28

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore 2, from Mangareva, Gambier Islands, bound for Mangareva.

March 7

Passenger-cargo vessel Claymore 2, from Mangareva, bound for Mangareva, Gambier Islands.

March 16

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore 2, arrives from Mangareva in the Gambier Islands. When she departs Pitcairn Island on March 17, she is bound for Mangareva.

Year 2012

January 1

Yacht Odley, from USA, father and son crew.

January 19

Live fish transporting vessel Seify, from China, bound for Chile. The Seify is a live fish-transporting vessel.

January 21

Cruise ship Amadea, with 418 passengers and crew members. Many passengers from the ship come ashore to visit on Pitcairn Island.

January 25

Cruise ship Discovery, brings three tourists to the Island.

January 31

Sailing vessel Pitcairn, arriving on this vessel are five amateur radio operators.

February 2

Motor vessel Discovery, from Mangareva, arrives with four passengers, and departs the Island on February 5 with four passengers.

February 7

Motor vessel Saga Ruby, a cruise ship, arrives from Easter Island, bound for French Polynesia. Pitcairners visit on board and trade crafts, produce and curios. Three passengers come ashore to visit the Island, and nine passengers depart on her. The ship brings Pitcairn's new teachers, Paul and Ruth Shelling for a two-year teaching stay.

February 18

Motor vessel Discovery, from Mangareva, bound for Mangareva, calls with seven passengers. The vessel departs on February 20 with seven passengers on board.

February 21

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II from Mangareva, bound for Mangareva. She ship brings supplies and two passengers to the Island. She departs on February 22 with nine passengers on board.

February 22

Motor vessel Princess Danae, a cruise ship, from French Polynesia, bound for Easter Island. The ship departs Pitcairn on February 23, after islanders have come on board to trade crafts, produce and curios.

February 26

Motor vessel L'Austral, from Easter Island, bound for French Polynesia. The ship's tenders ferry 152 passengers shore for a visit on the Island.

March 1

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, from Mangareva, bound for Mangareva with five passengers on board. Takes nine passengers from the Island on departure on March 3.

March 3

Sailing yacht Bahari, from Easter Island, bound for Mangareva, with three persons on board. The yacht departs Pitcairn on March 4.

March 8

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, from Mangareva, with one passenger. Takes three passengers from the Island when departing on March 10.

March 15

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, from Mangareva with 13 passengers on board, 12 of them a National Geographic expedition team. Claymore II departs Pitcairn on March 19 for Ducie and Henderson islands with the expedition team aboard.

March 18

Motor vessel Hanseatic, a cruise ship, from French Polynesia. A total of 129 of the 153 passengers aboard the ship are ferried ashore for a visit on Pitcairn Island. The ship departs Pitcairn late in the afternoon.

March 23

Motor vessel Marsgracht, from New Zealand, bound for Panama. Pitcairners board the vessel to trade or sell Island crafts, produce and curios. Marsgracht departs Pitcairn in the afternoon.

March 26

Sailing yacht Explore, from New Zealand, bound for Mangareva. The yacht departs Pitcairn on March 28, with a crew of four and two passengers.

March 31

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, from Henderson Island with 12 passengers. The ship departs the same day with 10 passengers, bound for Oeno and Mangareva.

April 1

British sailing vessel Samba, from Easter Island, bound for Mangareva, with four persons on board sails the same day of arrival.

April 2

French sailing yacht Dalton, from Easter Island, bound for Mangareva, sails from Pitcairn in the same day as arrival with two persons on board.

April 9

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, from Mangareva, arrives with a team of National Geographic magazine personnel and three other passengers on board.

April 11

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, departs Pitcairn for Mangareva with the National Geographic magazine personnel on board, along with three other passengers.

April 12

Sailing yacht Xplore, arrives from Mangareva with seven passengers aboard. Aboard this vessel is classical organist Peter Letkemann, who in the Pitcairn Island Seventh-day Adventist Church on April 14 and 21, presents concerts of classical music.

April 14

Sailing yacht Xplore, departs Pitcairn for Mangareva with two passengers on board.

April 17

South African sailing vessel Spirit of Africa, arrives from Easter Island with two persons on board. The vessel departs Pitcairn after six days anchored offshore.

April 18

Northern Ireland sailing vessel Survetta, arrives from Easter Island with one person on board.

April 19

Sailing yacht Explore, arrives from Mangareva with four persons on board. She departs Pitcairn on April 21 with four persons on board.

April 22

German sailing vessel Resolute, from Easter Island, bound to the west with three persons on board. The yacht departs the same day as it arrives.

April 23

Australian sailing yacht Adventure Bound, arrives from the Galapagos Islands with two persons on board, spends two days at Pitcairn Island.

Sailing yacht Survetta, departs Pitcairn for Mangareva with one person on board.

April 24

Canadian sailing vessel Rough Bound, arrives from Easter Island, bound for Bora Bora with one person on board. She departs Pitcairn after seven days anchored offshore.

May 2

Sailing yacht Xplore, from Mangareva with one passenger, and later departs for Henderson Island with 5 passengers as part of the Henderson rat eradication program.

Sailing yacht Dalton, from Easter Island, departs same day for Mangareva with two passengers on board.

May 6

American sailing vessel Pelican, from Easter Island, departs later in the day for Mangareva with one person on board.

May 7

Sailing yacht Xplore, from Henderson Island with five passengers on board. The yacht departs for Mangareva on May 8 with one passenger on board.

May 8

German sailing vessel Wigwam, from Easter Island with two passengers on board. The yacht departs for Mangareva on May 10 with two passengers on board.

Dutch sailing vessel Viatrix, from Easter Island, with five passengers on board. The yacht departs for Mangareva after spending three days at the Island.

American sailing vessel Azimuth, from Easter Island with four passengers on board. The yacht departs for Mangareva on May 11 with four passengers on board

May 11

German sailing vessel Miepke II, from Easter Island with two passengers on board. The yacht departs Pitcairn later in the day.

May 16

Motor vessel Oberon, bound for Australia, stops and trades for three hours before departing Pitcairn.

May 19

Sailing vessel Wakame, from Easter Island with six passengers on board. The yacht departs Pitcairn for Mangareva on May 26 with six passengers on board.

May 23

Motor vessel Claymore II, from New Zealand, brings two passengers and stores to Pitcairn. Later in the day the ship departs for Mangareva with one passenger on board.

May 31

Motor vessel Claymore II, from Mangareva with 13 passengers on board. The ship departs Pitcairn for Mangareva on June 2.

June 7

Motor vessel Claymore II, from Mangareva with six passengers on board. The ship departs Pitcairn for Mangareva on June 9 with nine passengers on board.

June 20

Australian/French sailing vessel Passe-Partout, from Easter Island with two passengers on board. The yacht departs Pitcairn for Mangareva after seven days at Pitcairn.

June 22

Hungarian sailing vessel Unikum, from the Cocas Islands with two persons on board. The yacht departs Pitcairn after seven days for Mangareva.

June 23

British sailing vessel Tabbycat, from Easter Island with two persons on board. Tabbycat departs Pitcairn for Mangareva after five days at Pitcairn with two aboard.

June 29

British sailing vessel Murungaru, from Panama with four persons on board. She departs Pitcairn after five days anchored off the Island.

August 23

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, from New Zealand, with stores for the island and four passengers, a Belgium film crew. The ship departs Pitcairn on August 24 for Mangareva.

August 30

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, from Mangareva with eight passengers including Pitcairn's Deputy Govenor Kevin Lynch, and the mayor of Mangareva, Monique Labbeyi and his interpreter. Also the new resident physician and Maria Amoamo, to replace the departing Dr. Kevin and Sharon Donovan. Also aboard is Pitcairner Kari Young and two Swiss tourists.

September 1

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II departs Pitcairn Island for Mangareva with eight passengers, including Pitcairn Deputy Governor Kevin Lynch, Monique Labbeyi, mayor of Mangareva; Dr. Kevin and Sharon Donovan; and Darlene, Caleb and Dylan.

September 6

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, from Mangareva, with six passengers, including Justice Sir Bruce Robertson, Jay and Carol Warren, two auditors and three tourists. The ship departs Pitcairn for Henderson with five passengers, two tourists and three off-islanders.

September 8

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, from Henderson Island with five passengers. The ship departs Pitcairn for Mangareva with eight passengers.

September 13

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, from Mangareva, with seven passengers. This is a special charter voyage for the National Geographic magazine and PEW Foundation. Also arriving on this ship is Melva Evans, a Pitcairner returning to her home island.

September 15

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, departs Pitcairn for Mangareva with seven passengers, including one Pitcairn islander going abroad for medical treatment. From Mangareva Claymore II, departs for its home port at Tauranga, New Zealand.

October 18

French naval vessel Arago (P675), Captain Arnaud Bolelli, from Tahiti, bound for Mangareva. While the ship is at Pitcairn the island's school children are invited aboard for a tour of the ship. In the evening of the 18th the Pitcairners and the ship's crew share a festive meal at The Landing. Arago sails for Mangareva at 2200 hours on October 19.

French naval vessel Arago (P675), calls from Mangareva at 0800 hours. The warship departs for Mururoa atoll at 2200 hours on October 19, after what the island newspaper describes as "a successful visit."

October 29

Yacht Dawnbreaker, from Easter Island, bound for Mangaeva with five persons on board. The vessel departs Pitcairn for Mangareva on October 31.

November 12

Two Wakatapu vessels, from Mangareva, bound for Rapanui (Easter Island) passed close to Pitcairn Island without stopping. School children were dismissed from classes and scaled Ship Landing Point so they could view the native craft as they passed. The waka vessels are following in the wake of their ancestors from Auckland, New Zealand, to Rapanui and return. The story of their voyage may be seen at www.wakatapu.com.

November 14

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II, arrives at 0800 hours with supplies from New Zealand. After discharge of her cargo, the ship departs for Mangareva, Gambier Islands with three passengers.

November 19

Sailing yacht Mala, from Easter Island, bound for French Polynesia, arrives at 1030 hours with two persons on board. The Mala sails at 0830 hours for Mangareva with two persons on board on November 21.

November 20

Sailing yacht Blue-shift, from Mangareva, bound to the east, calls at 1000 hours with five persons on board. Blue-shift sails for Easter Island at 1630 hours with five persons on board on November 21.

November 22

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II arrives at 0800 hours from Mangareva with 10 passengers on board. The ship departs for Henderson Island at 1800 hours on November 22 with six passengers on board.

November 24

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II arrives from Henderson Island at 0800 hours with two passengers on board. The ship departs for Mangareva at 1800 hours on November 25 with nine passengers on board.

November 29

Passenger-cargo ship Claymore II arrives from Mangareva at 0800 hours with 13 passengers on board. The ship departs at 1800 hours on November 29 for Henderson Island.

December 25

Noble Caledonia's cruise ship Caledonia Sky, Captain Newman, from Easter Island, bound for Mangareva, Gambier Islands. This ship accommodates 114 passengers and has a crew of 74.

Transportation to Pitcairn Island

Here is the current Pitcairn voyaging schedule of Claymore II

Places To Stay on Pitcairn

Cruise Ship Schedule

The Ships That Call at Pitcairn

Annual Pitcairn Shipping List