The Pitcairn Islands are the only British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean. The territory consists of a loosely connected group of five islands. Pitcairn is the only populated island, with less than 50 inhabitants as of January 2020. The other four islands are Henderson, Ducie, Oeno, and Sandy.
Pitcairn is farther from any continent than any other inhabited island on the planet. It is one of the remotest destinations in the world, perfect for an adventure tourist looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But before you visit, be sure to purchase travel medical insurance in case your adventure goes awry.
Pitcairn Islands Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers - FAQs
Travel medical insurance for the Pitcairn Islands will cover your medical costs for possible infections and injuries. An insurance policy will not free you from the risks of disease or injury. But it will save you from having to make out-of-pocket expenses for something like medical evacuation while on vacation on a remote island.
Do I need travel medical insurance for the Pitcairn Islands?
It is mandatory for international tourists arriving in the Pitcairn Islands to have travel medical insurance that provides coverage for emergency medical evacuation, and to show proof of such coverage when making travel arrangements. You do not need a pre-approved visa if you plan to spend up to or less than 14 days there, but you do need Pitcairn Islands travel insurance for tourists.
Why buy travel medical insurance for the Pitcairn Islands?
You need to do that for a host of reasons:
- As an international tourist, you have a regulatory obligation to have insurance coverage in the Pitcairn Islands.
- You are vulnerable to several well-known vector-borne and water-borne diseases like chikungunya, dengue, malaria, and typhoid.
- You’re also at risk of contracting little-known tropical infections endemic to these islands. Not all of these infections are vaccine-preventable. Also, vaccines only ensure that the disease will not become too critical to treat. No vaccine guarantees that you won’t catch that infection at all.
- The core to-do list at the Pitcairn Islands involves activities with inherent hazards that might cause slight or severe injuries.
The risks are massive. The right choice is to buy travel medical insurance and enjoy your vacation with one less thing to worry about.
Things to Do for Travelers in the Pitcairn Islands
In 1790, mutineers on board the HMS Bounty settled on Pitcairn Island as they tried to escape from the Royal Navy. The current inhabitants are the direct descendants of the mutineers and their Polynesian partners.
There are plenty of attractions to reward the adventurous spirit that would bring an international tourist out to these remote islands.
- The Eco-Trail: Walk back in time on this trail to visit the Sailor’s Hide before ascending to the Christian’s Cave. The fantastic diversity of the local flora along the route is a real bonus.
- Go Scuba Diving: Weather and water conditions permitting, you can go scuba diving into Bounty Bay to discover the ruins of the HMS Bounty and SS Cornwallis. Be aware, though, that these are not beginner-level dives; they require some level of scuba experience.
- Swim and Snorkel: St. Paul’s Pool is a tidal pool carved by the Pacific Ocean. Go swimming and/or snorkeling in its crystal-clear water, and enjoy its expansive variety of marine life.
- Take a Quad Bike Tour: These four-wheeled bikes are what the locals use for transportation on Pitcairn Island. Hop onto one for a tour of the island.
- Visit the Museum: Why miss a museum with a rich collection of relics from the island’s ancient history up to the arrival of the Bounty mutineers? The museum’s curators will even open its doors and arrange a tour at the time most convenient for you.
Travel Risks for International Travelers in the Pitcairn Islands
In a place with a permanent population of 50, the one risk you’re free of is crime. However, the islands’ remoteness presents a risk in itself. There are several other hazards, as well.
- Health risks: Vector-borne infections like chikungunya, dengue, and malaria constitute a recurring problem in the Pacific Islands, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Typhoid fever is also endemic to the area. Further, the WHO suspects that several neglected and under-studied tropical diseases persist in these islands, as well. As a tourist, you’re vulnerable to all of these diseases.
- Risks related to special activities: Scuba diving, snorkeling, and hiking / trekking up to Christian’s Cave are all hazardous activities with their own inherent risks.
- Trip cancellation risks: You may have to cancel your trip due to unforeseen events before departure. Unfavorable sea conditions could keep you stranded in French Polynesia, with no chance to sail from (or leave) the Pitcairn Islands until the waters calm.
Before You Travel to the Pitcairn Islands - Do These
- Take the necessary vaccines and carry your supply of regular medicines.
- Carry modest beach and swimwear, as the Pitcairn Islands have a conservative culture.