Tristan da Cunha

Tristan da Cunha government guidance for visiting ships recommends contacting the island well in advance to arrange a visit. Unannounced vessels must obtain permission from the Harbour Master, Medical Officer and Immigration Officer before anchoring or embarking/disembarking people. Follow local port and conservation-area rules.

The visiting-ship guide says to contact Tristan Radio and follow the Harbour Master’s directions to a safe anchorage. Yachts must not enter Calshot Harbour; use a suitable shallow-water boat or RIB to go ashore. The guide does not provide a conventional list of international ports of entry.

Before arrival

The Tristan da Cunha government asks visitors to notify the island of their plans as far in advance as possible, contacting the Police Department to make arrangements. Visiting vessels should also contact Tristan Radio before arrival. The government page gives no uniform mandatory advance-notice period. Government services are limited on Sundays, Saturdays and after 15:00 on weekdays; weekend arrivals may have to wait until a working day.

Official source: Government of Tristan da Cunha: visiting ships and yachts

Immigration

Tristan da Cunha government guidance says visitors need a valid passport. Permission is required to go ashore, and a landing stamp is placed in the passport. The Visits Liaison Officer arranges for officials to board and complete local clearance; people must remain aboard until permission is granted. The island does not require visas, but health insurance must cover medical care and possible medical evacuation to Cape Town.

Official source: Government of Tristan da Cunha: visiting ships and yachts

Tristan da Cunha’s official visiting-ship guidance requires visiting vessels to contact the Harbour Master and relevant officials in advance. Officials board to complete local clearance before people land. Vessels arriving without prior arrangements must first obtain permission from the Harbour Master, Medical Officer and Immigration Officer. Follow arrangements confirmed by the island authorities.

Tristan da Cunha visiting-ship guidance restricts bringing animals or plants ashore without permission. This is specific to visits to the archipelago; confirm permits and detailed quarantine requirements with the island authorities before departure.

Live or dead animals and plants may not be brought into the Tristan da Cunha islands without permission. The government visiting-ship guide does not provide a complete list of other prohibited/restricted goods here; confirm firearms, medicines and other controlled items separately with the authorities.

Arrival procedures

Tristan da Cunha government guidance requires visiting ships to contact Tristan Radio before arrival and during the stay, and to report the expected departure time and destination before leaving. Unannounced vessels must obtain permission from the Harbour Master, Medical Officer and Immigration Officer before anchoring or allowing passengers/crew ashore. Visitors must not enter Calshot Harbour; anchor offshore as directed by the Harbour Master.

Official source: Government of Tristan da Cunha: visiting ships and yachts

The government visiting-ship guide lists a landing fee of £15 per yacht passenger and says the island accepts cash only (GBP, EUR, USD or ZAR). Hire of a small RIB and operator is listed at £75 per day. These are landing and transfer charges, not departure-clearance fees. The guide says fees may change; confirm current charges before sailing.