Visits by the SH Diana and FV Antarctic Sea
Reports by Nick Schönfeld with photos by Julia Gunther and Fran Bryson
We welcomed two vessels on the morning of the 20th November 2025: at 07:30 the FV Antarctic Sea, a Norwegian krill boat en route to the Falklands, followed shortly afterwards by the SH Diana with 107 passengers at 08:30. Diana's visitors arrived by Zodiac, which is always an adventure in the Tristan harbour. For a short time, visitors from both ships were ashore together, something we do not often see. Thanks to the bright blue jackets worn by SH Diana guests, it was easy to tell everyone apart, and the settlement was alive with activity without ever feeling crowded.
SH Diana at anchor off the harbour (Photo: Philip Kendall)
Visitors entering the harbour by zodiac (Photo: Julia Gunther)
Despite the Diana needing to shorten her stay to keep ahead of bad weather on the way to South Georgia, passengers still enjoyed a good amount of time ashore. Our local guides André, Jerry and Christopher led tours through the village and the thatched house. Several visitors also hired taxis to the Potato Patches for a quiet moment in the sunshine and the chance to watch the albatrosses soaring overhead. Birdwatchers across both groups reported Antarctic Terns (king birds), Sooty Albatross, Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (Mollies) and Skuas, along with our much-loved Northern Rockhopper penguins. One couple even enjoyed a private tour.
Exploring the Settlement
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| Stepping across the Big Watron and walking in the settlement (Photos: Julia Gunther) | |
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| Taking a picture by the Fishing Dong (Photo: Julia Gunther) | On an independent hike, Fran Bryson was fascinated by the well-kept cemetery (Photo: Fran Bryson) |
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| The signs outside the Tourism Centre are a popular photo opportunity (Photos: Julia Gunther) | |
How many ways can you pose by the Remotest Island sign (Photo: Julia Gunther)
In the Post Office and Tourism Centre, visitors could enjoy homemade crawfish sandwiches, chocolate biscuits and freshly brewed coffee, and browse a wide range of Tristan souvenirs, including T-shirts, stickers and island-made gifts.
Many visitors took the chance to use our Wi-Fi to check emails or send a quick message to loved ones. And even with limited time on land, several still managed to write a postcard home, something that never loses its charm on Tristan. Today was also the first time the Post Office and Tourism Centre was able to accept card payments from cruise-ship passengers, a very welcome improvement that has connected Tristan's banking system to the outside world more readily, and which has made things much easier for visitors and for the team.
Visitors in Café da Cunha (Photo: Julia Gunther)
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| For the first time, cruise passengers were able to pay for souvenirs by card (Photo: Philip Kendall) | Fran Bryson kindly gave a signed copy of her book to the Tristan library (Photo: Philip Kendall) |
Visitors writing postcards in the gift shop (Photo: Julia Gunther)
The Albatross Bar was open for both ship visits, and passengers could have a cool drink or beer, although there was not quite enough time for a game of snooker.
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| Visitors inside the Albatross Bar (Photo: Julia Gunther) | Fran Bryson outside the Albatross Bar (Photo: Fran Bryson) |
Mine host Randall Repetto behind the bar (Photo: Fran Bryson)
Next door, the Prince Philip Hall was filled with stands displaying beautiful, handcrafted items made by islanders, including woollen hats, gloves, penguins and other handmade pieces. And for those still keen to shop, the Rockhopper Gift Shop offered even more souvenirs and gift items. The supermarket was also open for anyone needing supplies or some fresh fruit.
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| Many people wanted their picture taken outside Prince Philip Hall (Photos: Julia Gunther) | |
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| The islanders' craft stalls in Prince Philip Hall were popular (Photos: Julia Gunther) | |
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| Above & below: Some of the knitted handicrafts on offer for sale in Prince Philip Hall (Photos: Julia Gunther) | |
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The SH Diana departed at 12:30, while the second group of Antarctic Sea visitors came ashore in the afternoon before the ship departed around 4:00pm. The SH Diana has become something of an old friend to the island, calling in reliably each year, and many islanders have travelled on her back to Cape Town. A big thank you to the professional crews on both vessels, as well as the team from Fisheries, for their excellent cooperation.
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| Descending to the harbour (Photo: Julia Gunther) | A final photo opportunity at the harbour's welcome sign (Photo: Julia Gunther) |
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| Cruise passengers reembarking a zodiac (Photo: Fran Bryson) | Reembarking passengers wave as they pull away from the harbour steps (Photo: Julia Gunther) |
It was wonderful to see the harbour so full of life, and with one or two more ships still due before Christmas, including the upcoming arrival of the Lance, which brings home islanders from Cape Town, the busy days are not over yet.
We thank Fran Bryson for the use of photographs from her four-part travel blog 'Remotest Island'.
If you were on the SH Diana, we'd welcome your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.
SH Diana and FV Antarctic Sea at anchor off the harbour (Photo: Julia Gunther)
Administrator Philip Kendall Adds
It really was an amazing day of two ships. After our good friend the SH Diana left, the FV Antarctic Sea’s crew enjoyed an afternoon of shore leave which ended up in the Albatross Bar where I joined them after work. Captain Jan Sorensen regaled me with tales from Scandinavia to the Antarctic, where they will spend the next three months fishing. He thanked the island for the opportunity to allow them this rare chance to come ashore.
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| The FV Antarctic Sea's RIB in the harbour (Photo: Philip Kendall) | The FV Antarctic Sea's crew outside the Albatross Bar, Capt Sorensen second left (Photo: Philip Kendall) |
The crew enjoyed a drink (or more) and several rounds of pool in the Albatross before returning to their ship with a gift of lobster from the island, just as the harbour closed for the day at 7:00pm.
The FV Antarctic Sea (Photo: Philip Kendall)