It may seem hard to believe, but Pitcairn is home to not one, but several accommodations – despite its entirely isolated location.
The Mutiny on the Bounty and how it led to the colonization of Pitcairn Island is undoubtedly one of the strangest stories in history. Pitcairn Island is a tiny, extremely isolated British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean. In fact, Pitcairn is the least populated national jurisdiction in the world with approximately 47 permanent residents.
Pitcairn Island is an extremely remote destination and boasts the most remote Airbnb in the world. Visiting this strange place is not easy and is for the most intrepid of explorers. Another mysterious and remote destination in the South Pacific is Easter Island and its bewildering statues.
The Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn Islanders are biracial and mostly descended from nine Bounty mutineers who took refuge on the island with their handful of Tahitian spouses whom they had picked up in Tahiti. Only a few continue to live on the island and most have moved elsewhere.
- Status: British Overseas Territory
- Population: About 47 permanent inhabitants
- Administration: They are a British Overseas Territory but are administered from Auckland, New Zealand, 3,300 miles away
- Currency: USD are normally used
To get to the island, you have to take the boat because there is no airport on the island (not thousands of kilometers away). A ship schedule can be found at Visit the Pitcairn website otherwise, look for a cruise ship that visits the island.
The story of the mutiny on HMS Bounty
The famous story of the Royal Navy’s HMS Bounty mutiny has been the subject of many books and films and remains one of the strangest stories in naval history. In 1789, the disgruntled crew of HMS Bounty led by Acting Lieutenant Fletch Christian seized control of the ship from their captain and loyal crew.
The Bounty spent 5 months on a stopover in Tahiti and many of the men made connections with the Polynesians and the girls. They grew increasingly unhappy with military discipline on the ship and wanted to be back on the island.
- Dated: Mutiny on the Bounty occurred in 1789
- Captain: Lieutenant William Blight
- Directed mutiny: Acting Lt. Fletch Christian
They set the captain (Lieutenant William Bligh) and eighteen other loyalists adrift in one of the small boats. Credibly, Bligh being the expert navigator that he was, sailed over 4,000 miles in the open boat and reached safety. He returned to England and then began the process of bringing the mutineers to justice.
Meanwhile, some of the mutineers settled in Tahiti, while others feared revenge from the Royal Navy and fled in search of an unknown island to live. They found Pitcairn Island and settled there.
There were 25 men left aboard the ship (including loyalists held against their will because there was no room in the boat).
The Royal Navy dispatched HMS Pandora to apprehend the mutineers. Fourteen were captured in Tahiti as the ship ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef and 4 four prisoners perished. Of the 10 who returned to England, four were acquitted, three were pardoned and three were hanged.
- Mutineers Captured: 4 dead en route, 4 acquitted, 3 pardoned, 3 hanged
- Discovered: Pitcairn was discovered in 1808
- Survivor: Sole survivor was John Adams (he was not prosecuted)
Mutineer Christian and his party remained unknown on Pitcairn until 1808. At that time, only one of the mutineers – John Adams – was still alive. Almost all of the other mutineers on the island had been killed by each other or by their fellow Polynesians. Descendants of the mutineers and their Tahitian captives continue to live on Pitcairn today.
Accommodation on Pitcairn Island
Perhaps surprisingly there is accommodation on the island – surprising considering there are only 50 odd people on the island.
According to Visit Pitcairn (yes, they actually have a tourism website) the island is “known worldwide for the warm and open hospitality of its people.”
- Accommodation: Homestay, semi-private cottage or studio
Pitcairn Island currently has 12 registered accommodation providers offering customers a range of homestays and private accommodation. One can share all meals and amenities with a local family or have a semi-private cottage or studio. There is even a fully private 2 or 3 bedroom bungalow or chalet rental.
- Cost: Ranges from $80.00 to $200.00 per person per day
- Covers: Full board, all meals and laundry
Pitcairn Island is not a place to spend the weekend and therefore one can also inquire about weekly and monthly rates for long term stays. You can also organize additional services such as telephone and Internet, guided walks, and even quad tours with your hosts.
- Credit card: The local government treasury office provides credit card facilities so that money can be withdrawn
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