News and photos of yacht visits visiting Tristan da Cunha during the 2015-2016 season.

Sail Ho!

Was the traditional cry when a sailing vessel was sighted off Tristan and the prospect of trade created excitement in the village. Today Tristan is a popular port of call for the few intrepid yacht crews that brave South Atlantic waters.

Visit of Yacht Pelagic Australis on 9th June 2016

Photo and report from Shirley Squibb

The yacht Pelagic Australis called at Tristan around 1pm on Thursday 9th June. Unfortunately the sea conditions were not suitable enough to make a landing. After making contact with the Radio Station, she continued on her journey to Cape Town.

The yacht made a successful visit on 7th June 2015 and it is hoped will call again. See Yacht visits 2014/15 for more of that visit.

Shirley's photo right shows the yacht off the village on 9th June 2016.

Visit of Yacht Santa Maria Australis

The Yacht Santa Maria Australis called at Tristan on Sunday 8th May 2016 with a crew of seven aboard. They came ashore for the day, taking a walk to the Potato Patches and around the village. They enjoyed a visit to the Albatross Bar where they chatted to islanders, before embarking at 4pm for the onward journey to Cape Town.

Photo from Dawn Repetto.

Visit of Motor Yacht Enigma XK on 27th February 2016

Report and photos from Dawn Repetto
We had the pleasure of welcoming 15 crew from Motor Yacht Enigma XK on Saturday 27th February. The yacht was on her way from Montevideo to Cape Town. Weather was a bit overcast but sea state was good. Crew came ashore in two shifts, one in the morning and the next early in the afternoon. They all enjoyed coffee, muffins and lobster sandwiches at Café da Cunha, souvenir and philatelic shopping and a walk to the 1961 volcano. They were a great bunch and it was a pleasure to spend time with them. We hope to see them back this way again soon.

Above: The Motor Yacht off the island

Left: RIB comes into Calshot Harbour with visitors

Editor's Note:

This is the second time the Enigma XK has been in Tristan waters in the 2015/16 season as it passed the Settlement on 26th November, but could not land passengers due to sea conditions. At 18 knots the motor yacht may reach Cape Town in 3.5 days and perhaps, after this successful visit, the vessel may make regular calls at Tristan, and herald a new era of fast luxury cruise ship visits.

The two groups that came ashore by the famous Tristan sign
Crew members enjoy a hike to the summit of the 1961 volcano

Yacht Errante visit on 10th February 2016

Report and photos from Dawn Repetto

The yacht Errante called on 10th February with with a crew of two on board, travelling from Argentina to Cape Town. The crew came ashore and enjoyed breakfast and lunch in the Café da Cunha and a wandered around the Settlement.

See the Community News page for a photo of them at lunch.

First yacht visit of 2016
Tina Glass sent these photos of the yacht 'Second Dream' which called at Tristan on Monday 11th January 2016. Dawn Repetto reports that the vessel had a crew of four onboard, all of chinese origin. They are presently sailing around the world and left China on the 19th July. Their last port of call was Salvador and they are now bound for Cape Town. Weather was good and they enjoyed a lovely day ashore picking up supplies and wandering around the settlement.

Yacht Faraway - 30th November 2015

Photos from Janine Lavarello

Report from Dawn Repetto

The Yacht Faraway arrived on Monday 30th November 5 people onboard. They arrived from South Georgia and will be sailing onto Cape Town where the yacht and crew are based. They came on a lovely calm day and the crew took on fuel, water and supplies. They even had time to grab a nice hot shower and a cold beer at the Pub before departing.

Photos show left views of the yacht and above some of the crew coming ashore

Yacht Enigma XK passed Tristan

(but did not call) on 26th November 2015.

Photo from Janine Lavarello

First Yacht arrival of the 2015/16 season

Report from Tina Glass and photo from Andy Repetto

The Australian Navy training ship 'Young Endeavour' arrived at Tristan on Saturday 7th November 2015 at 6am. Unfortunately the bad weather prevented her from making a landing so the vessel sailed on to Cape Town.

The yacht's captain was Lieutenant Commander Gavin Dawe and the sailing vessel had a crew of 44.