Tristan da Cunha

Tristan da Cunha, a solitary volcanic island rising dramatically from the vast emptiness of the South Atlantic, holds the remarkable distinction of being the most remote inhabited island on earth, some 2,400 kilometres from the nearest inhabited land. Its tiny settlement, endearingly named Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, is home to a close-knit community of a few hundred people who farm potatoes, fish for lobster and share a handful of surnames, living beneath the island's towering 2,000-metre volcanic peak. Ringed by cliffs and teeming with seabirds, penguins and seals, and reached only by a days-long sea voyage, this extraordinary outpost offers a profound sense of isolation, community and wild nature found nowhere else on the planet.

History

The Portuguese explorer Tristão da Cunha sighted the islands in 1506 but could not land, and named the main island after himself; the first undisputed landing was made on 7 February 1643 by the crew of the Dutch ship Heemstede. The French corvette L'Heure du Berger made the first full survey in 1767, and William Bolts put a party ashore on 2 February 1777 and named the group the Brabant Islands (Wikipedia, Tristan da Cunha).

What's there

• The volcanic peak - the towering 2,000-metre summit.
• Edinburgh of the Seven Seas - the world's remotest settlement.
• The seabird colonies - the teeming birds, penguins and seals.
• The sense of isolation - the profound remoteness of the island.

When to go

November to March, the southern summer, offers the mildest weather and the calmest seas for the long voyage and for exploring, though Tristan's climate is cool, wet and windy year-round; the surrounding wildlife is most active in summer. Sailings are infrequent, so trips must be carefully planned.

What to expect

Tristan da Cunha is extraordinarily remote, reached only by a days-long ocean voyage on infrequent ships and requiring advance permission, so visiting is a serious undertaking for the truly committed, and facilities are minimal. As the most remote inhabited island on earth, a lonely volcanic outpost with a unique community and teeming wildlife, though, Tristan da Cunha is an utterly singular and unforgettable place.

Nearby

The uninhabited islands of Nightingale and Inaccessible lie nearby.

Key facts