The Pitcairn Islands are a cluster of four tropical islands in the central Pacific Ocean, otherwise known as the Pitcairn Islands, Henderson, Ducie & Oeno Islands, and formerly known as British Polynesia. Pitcairn Island became an independent nation in 1966 and remains so to this day under the name New World. It has a population of less than ten thond people but boasts one of the most beautiful and diverse marine ecosystems in the world. It is also home to many interesting historic sites and sights.
The weather in Pitcairn Islands is humid with high humidity levels. Summers can be humid with hot daytime temperatures and cooler nights. Average temperatures during the fall and winter are cooler than summer, with higher humidity levels. Although most visitors to Pitcairn Islands enjoy warm weather, there are some who are sensitive to high humidity and cool weather. If you are planning a trip to the Pitcairn Islands, this is important to know.
A Pitcairn Islands travel guide will tell you that the most popular seasons to visit are from May to October when daytime temperatures remain above 70 degrees and nighttime temperatures remain below 55 degrees. There is usually a chill in November and January. In addition, if there is a strong storm at any time of the year, daytime temperatures can go from high to low, with some fluctuations during the day. There can be significant variations in wind speeds as well, which can make it difficult to predict what the day's temperature will be.
As far as rainfall is concerned, the May to October timeframe is considered to have average rainfall. However, there can be significant rainfall from October to April, which can cause flooding. Because of the high humidity levels, hurricanes cannot become active in Pitcairn Islands until late in May or early June. Hurricane force winds can reach up to 130 miles an hour. So, even if you do not end up in a hurricane, you can still experience significant precipitation during your trip.
When visiting Pitcairn Islands you should pay special attention to how much you sweat and how often you are hot. If you are visiting during the summer months it is best to avoid heavy fabrics and to use light clothes. The light colors will help to prevent the relative humidity from increasing. Heavy fabrics will trap the warmth inside and increase the relative humidity.
In the winter months the temperatures are on the lower side. This is because humidity is naturally lower at night. Therefore, you can expect to stay much more comfortable than if you visited during the summertime when the high temperatures and large humidity levels are experienced. Relative humidity readings should be taken at different times throughout the day to account for daytime and nighttime temperatures.
Average temperatures are in the single digits but the winds can bring temperatures as high as 55 degrees in some areas. The average snow depth is around two feet, which is typical for the area. Again, the key to comfortable travel is to visit at the correct time of the year, which differs between seasons. The cooler times tend to be from late spring to early fall, which is also true for the Pitcairn Islands.
Average precipitation is not particularly extreme. While the rainy season is not nearly as long as the summer season, there is generally a good chance for significant rainfall during the late part of the winter. If you are visiting between May and October, the average snow depth is around seven inches. However, there is usually no record of rainfall during that time of the year. If you want to avoid the risk of visiting the Pitcairn Islands during the wet season, visit in May or June. At any rate, being prepared for the worst and being able to overcome stress from weather may be the best thing you can do while visiting this part of the world.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Pitcairn Islands are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Pitcairn Islands
The best time to visit Pitcairn Islands is from january until december, when you will have a pleasant temperature and limited till mediocre rainfall.
If you are an adult wishing to stay on Pitcairn Island for up to 14 days, you do not require a visa prior to arrival. Without valid entry clearance, the immigration officer will not grant access to Pitcairn. Further details are available on the Pitcairn Island government website.
See which forms you may need for entry into Pitcairn Islands.
The official currency of Pitcairn Islands is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Pitcairn Islands you can grab amazing New Zealand Dollar deals via Wise.com (GBP to NZD).
The Pitcairn Islands is also home to the beautiful two-toned Henderson Fruit Dove. This bird is primarily a fruit eater that has seen a loss of natural food source since the introduction of rat species to the islands. The Pitcairn Reed-Warbler is the native songbird of the islands. Due to its classification as a land bird with a small area to live in, it has been classified as endangered as well.
Tahitian food? Pota: A pitcairn Delicacy. One of the yummiest dishes you can make and will accompany most other foods is 'Pota'. Unfortunately now-a-days you see it less and less on the island dinner tables. It's made from the leaf of a plant we call 'Tale', pronounced Ta-La or Taro as it's known elsewhere in the pacific.
You can typically expect to pay around £1.50p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
Pitkern, also known as Pitcairn-Norfolk or Pitcairnese, is a linguistic cant based on an 18th-century mix of English and Tahitian. It is a primary language of the Pitcairn Islands, though it has more speakers on Norfolk Island. You can learn some basic Tahitian before you travel to Pitcairn Islands and really impress the locals!
The currency in Pitcairn Islands is the New Zealand Dollar (No tipping advice available).