Tristan de Acuña (in English: Tristan da Cunha) is an archipelago made up of several islands (the largest, with the same name) as well as the only inhabited island of the group. It is part of the overseas territory of Santa Elena, Ascensión and Tristán de Acuña of the United Kingdom next to the islands of st. Helen Y Ascension, which are more than 2,000 kilometers to the north. Politically, "Tristan de Acuña" refers to the island of Tristan da Cunha, Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, the nearby island of Gough, and a dozen islets near them.
Understand
Tristan de Acuña It is the most remote archipelago in the world, while the main island (also known as Tristán de Acuña) is the most remote inhabited island in the world. The nearest island is Santa Elena, 2,430 kilometers away, and around 2,816 kilometers up to nearest continent, Africa.
The entire population of the island of approximately 270 inhabitants is concentrated in the only flat part of this volcanic land mass, in the settlement of Edinburgh of the seven seas on the main island. There are a few other islands in the archipelago, all uninhabited: Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, Middle Island, and Stoltenhoff Island. Gough Island, about 300 km away, is home to a scientific research post.
To get
The journey to Tristan de Acuña requires careful planning, often more than a year in advance of a planned visit. There is no airstrip on the island; all visitors must arrive by boat. There are no entry restrictions based on nationality and, while the island requires an application (which must be approved), there are no "visas" for entry to Tristán de Acuña. Before entering the reserve, all visitors to Tristán da Cunha must receive permission from the Government of Tristán de Acuña.
Write an email to [email protected] and specify the proposed dates for your visit, the preferred passage (name of the ship), the type of accommodation you are looking for, nationality, age and the full purpose of your visit. A police certificate (official record of your criminal record, or lack thereof) may be requested. If you are a journalist or you intend to post any work as a result of your stay, you must declare it in your application. The filmmakers must apply for a permit (limited permits are available), and have their intentions approved by the Island Council, and are subject to a fee of £ 5,000 (about $ 7,050). All visitors must agree to and abide by an extensive list of terms and Conditions when visiting the island.
Visitors are the lowest priority for approval of ships and may be forced to waive their passage, by people with a higher priority (medical evacuation, commissioned officials, even locals going on vacation have higher priority). When arranging a visit, consider a departure when several other vessels will be leaving soon after, to avoid being stuck on the island if they are forced to forego their exit ticket.
It takes between five and ten days (depending on the weather and the ship) to travel the 2,810 kilometers from Cape Town. The South African polar research vessel SA Agulhas and the Edinburgh and Baltic Trader fishing vessels make the voyage between Cape Town and Tristan de Acuña several times each year. A return ticket in Agulhas is approximately $ 1,300, a return ticket on one of the fishing vessels is about $ 800. Schedules and more information is available in the official Web site by Tristán de Acuña.
Travel
Going on foot is the most common method of getting around the island of Tristan de Acuña and the only way to move over any of the outer islands. Due to the rugged, steep terrain, going all the way around the island is difficult, but if you are only going to stay in the town of Tristan, the ground is flat, covered with grass and easy to walk.
There is a paved road (M1) that connects Edinburgh (also known as The Settlement) with other smaller settlements and is used by a few private cars. There are no rental vehicles in Tristan. It also has a bus service that is available to visitors to the city, called "Potato Patches Flier" that takes them to various places on the island. This local transport could be the vehicle of an islander, and during the mornings give a bus service. The bus is more aimed at pensioners, who can ride the bus for free. The cost is about £ 5 pounds (about 7 US dollars).1, 2
Watch
- Volcano 1961 (In English: 1961 Volcano), the name given to the lava flow from the 1961 eruption, which flanks the northeast side of the settlement.
It has rough terrain in general, which has various types of more or less rough. These islands are home to rare birds, including Tristan yeast infection; the rail of the inaccessible island, which is flying; and the northern rockhopper penguin.
Do
The island organizes fishing excursions, walks, and even golf for visitors. Again, check your website for more information.
- Climb the volcanoThis is highly dependent on the weather, but on a clear day you may be able to reach "first base" (the plateau above the settlement) or even the peak of Queen Mary (the summit). A guide is needed and the costs (shared by all hikers): £ 200 pounds (about $ 281) for a trip to the top or £ 120 pounds, about $ 169 (2 guides) or £ 60, about $ 84 ( a guide) to the base.
- You can visit the fish factory, and see the island's fish processing that is frequently available to visitors.
To buy
The currency of the islands is the pound sterling. Do not credit cards and personal checks are accepted. Travelers checks, euros, US dollars, and the South African rand can be exchanged at the administration building's treasury. A handicraft and souvenir shop is located in the Tourism Center. Handicrafts and souvenirs are also available in the island shop and, during cruise visits, may be available in the Café, Prince Philip Hall and some venues.
To eat
The only public place available is the Prince Philip Hall, which occasionally serves food. The building also houses the Albatros Bar, the only pub on the island. The schedule is incomplete to say the least, and the only time it is very likely to be open is when cruise ships dock on the island. If you are hungry and the room is closed, your only other option is a visit to the island store. The Post Office also houses a small cafe serving tea, filtered coffee, and cakes.
Drink and go out
Sleep
Self-catering accommodation is £ 20 (about US $ 28) per night, while home stays, which include meals and laundry, cost £ 40 (about US $ 56) per night. There are discounts for islanders and children. Reservation information is available in the official website of the island
Security
Contact
Next destination
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- Inaccessible island. Despite the name, it is possible to visit the island. Only visitors escorted by Tristán de Acuña guides are allowed to visit the island, and most visitors come as part of a cruise itinerary. There are no permanent settlements on the island and you must bring your own food and / or drinks. Along with nearby Gough Island, the inaccessible island became World Heritage by UNESCO in 1995.
- The Gough Island It was discovered at the beginning of the 16th century and it was called Diego Alvarez, but it was not interested until in 1731 by Captain Gough, from his ship the Richmond claimed it for the English Crown. This brought a new name - and a bit more attention - to the place. Although Gough Island is a territory of the United Kingdom, the only permanent settlement to be found is South African. South Africa leases part of the island for use by SANAP as a permanently endowed South Atlantic Ocean meteorological station. The island is a world heritage site.
- It has no protected harbor or anchorage. The appropriate location and only port on the island is located in Quest Bay, on the east coast of the island. SA Agulhas, on a rescue expedition, arriving from Cape Town to Tristan de Acuña and then to Gough Island on an annual trip. This ship carries cargo and passengers. There is currently no access for tourists and even passing yacht crew members cannot go ashore except in the case of a serious emergency. Getting around comes with great difficulty — the combination of excessively steep terrain and incredibly dense vegetation — not to mention the roads. There is also no public accommodation on Gough Island.
- The Nightingale Islands It is located 38 kilometers southwest of Tristán de Acuña. flanked to the north by two small islands — Stoltenhoff Island and Alex Island — both about 0.5 kilometers in diameter and less than 100 meters high. The islands are an important breeding ground for up to "6 million" migratory birds at times (which is 2.6 birds / m²), which are the main sight here. Nightingale is a volcanic island, which experienced its first (underwater) eruption in over 30,000 years, in 2004. In the center of the island are four small ponds (an area known as "The Ponds"). Ring cliffs are found throughout much of this small island — the smallest of the Tristán de Acuña island group at just about 2 km in diameter — It can be reached on the north coast in the channel between the Nightingale and Alex islands. Some huts have been built in the area for visitors to spend the night on the shore and a path has been marked towards the ponds.