Gough Island

Gough Island lies some four hundred kilometres southeast of Tristan, uninhabited apart from a South African meteorological station, and it carries one of the largest and least disturbed seabird assemblies anywhere: the entire world population of the Tristan albatross and the Gough bunting breed there, along with millions of burrowing petrels. Introduced house mice have been preying on chicks, and an eradication attempt was made in 2021.

What you actually see

• The Tristan albatross - the world population breeding almost entirely on this island.
• The Gough bunting - a land bird found nowhere else.
• The petrel burrows - millions of birds nesting in the ground.
• The weather station - the only human presence on the island.

When to go

Not applicable; the island is closed to visitors. The weather station operates year round. Research access requires permits.

Honest expectations

There is no public access whatsoever; only station staff and permitted researchers land. Introduced mice have caused severe chick mortality and the 2021 eradication did not fully succeed. The island appears here as a place rather than a destination.

Nearby

Tristan da Cunha is northwest, and Inaccessible Island is beyond it.