Pitcairn

Ironically, Pitcairn, colonized by mutineers against the crown in 1790, is the last British colony in the South Pacific today. The island's history has always been intertwined with the tale of the mutiny on the Bounty when Fletcher Christian led a rebellion against the tyrannical Captain Bligh. Visitors to the tiny settlement at Adamstown are now shown the Bounty's Bible and anchor, and taken to the grave of Fletcher Christian. Pitcairn Island is an occasional stop for cruise ships sailing between Easter Island and French Polynesia, although the boats cannot land in rough weather (the situation much of the time). The closest airport to ...

Ironically, Pitcairn, colonized by mutineers against the crown in 1790, is the last British colony in the South Pacific today. The island's history has always been intertwined with the tale of the mutiny on the Bounty when Fletcher Christian led a rebellion against the tyrannical Captain Bligh. Visitors to the tiny settlement at Adamstown are now shown the Bounty's Bible and anchor, and taken to the grave of Fletcher Christian. Pitcairn Island is an occasional stop for cruise ships sailing between Easter Island and French Polynesia, although the boats cannot land in rough weather (the situation much of the time). The closest airport to Pitcairn is on Mangareva Island in French Polynesia, 305 miles northwest. Adventure tour operators sometimes organize yacht charters from Mangareva to Pitcairn and passengers on these have the advantage of spending a week or more with the 50-odd Pitcairners. Some of the cruises also visit Henderson and Oeno, uninhabited islands a day away from Pitcairn by boat. Henderson is a World Heritage Site for its unspoiled nature. Great colonies of seabirds are seen on Henderson and Oeno.

About the Expert

David Stanley is the author of the Moon guidebooks Fiji, Tahiti, and South Pacific. He has been writing about the Pacific since 1979.