Tristan da Cunha Visit News

Visit of the Yacht Nebula

Report by Kelly Green. Photos: Jenny & Greg Atherton

On Tuesday 24th February 2026, just after midday, the yacht Nebula dropped anchor off Tristan da Cunha after completing a 19-day passage from Rio de Janeiro. Having crossed the vast South Atlantic and endured multiple gales along the way, the two crew were understandably delighted to see the island rise on the horizon and even more so to finally step ashore.

The yacht Nebula at anchor off the settlement. Photo: Odile Cesari.

On board were Jenny and Greg Atherton, a couple whose journey carried deep personal meaning. They first met at university in South Africa before later settling in the United Kingdom, where they raised their children. For Greg especially, sailing back to South Africa via Tristan da Cunha had long been a cherished dream. Their crossing of the South Atlantic was not without its challenges, with several spells of heavy weather testing both crew and vessel. Fortunately, their arrival at Tristan could not have contrasted more, the sea lay like glass beneath brilliant sunshine, offering them the warmest of welcomes.

Jenny and Greg pictured at the harbour.

After anchoring safely, Jenny and Greg came ashore to complete immigration formalities and call at the Island Store for a few essentials. Following some much-needed rest back on board, they returned later to enjoy an evening at the Albatross Bar, where they were quickly made to feel at home. Travelling with their own small RIB made movements between yacht and harbour simple and convenient, allowing them to come and go with ease during their stay.

Greg and Jenny in Café da Cunha.

On Wednesday they joined the traditional lunch at Cafe da Cunha, sharing food and conversation with islanders and expatriate workers alike. It was a wonderful opportunity for stories to be exchanged and friendships formed, something that visitors to Tristan often remark upon as a highlight of their time here. On Thursday, they enjoyed a lunch in the Tourism Garden, overlooking the West Fence with sweeping views across the South Atlantic and Nebula resting peacefully at anchor to the east of the harbour. The menu featured Tristan's famous rock lobster served with a cheesy potato bake, accompanied by a chilled dry white wine. With the sun shining and the ocean calm, it was a scene that perfectly captured the magic of island life. What could be better.

Awaiting the Tristan lobster to arrive for lunch in the Post Office and Tourism Centre garden.

During their visit, Jenny and Greg explored walks on both the eastern and western sides of the settlement, taking in the dramatic scenery and visiting the historic Thatched House. They also found time to browse the Tourism Centre for souvenirs and send postcards home, small reminders of their time in this most remote of communities.

They remained until Saturday, when a favourable shift in the wind signalled it was time to continue onward toward Cape Town. Jenny and Greg were a truly pleasant couple, gracious and deeply appreciative of the kindness shown to them. It is always a pleasure to welcome visitors who value the rare opportunity to experience life on Tristan da Cunha, and we wish them fair winds and a smooth onward passage. We hope one day to see them here again.

If you were on the SV Nebula, we'd appreciate your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.

Visit on the Yacht Ecrin

Report from Kelly Green The yacht Ecrin arrived offshore on Friday 13th February 2026, greeted by Tristan's famously unpredictable weather, which unfortunately was not suitable for landing. The crew remained on board, taking in the dramatic views of the island while waiting for conditions to improve. By Saturday 14th February, which happened to be a fishing day on the island, the weather allowed a landing. After a well-earned lie-in, the captain and one crew member came ashore first to complete immigration formalities, while the other two enjoyed a slower start aboard. At around 11:00 am they all returned ashore ready to explore.

The yacht Ecrin. Photo: Julia Gunther

The Ecrin's crew enjoying a lobster lunch at the Tourism Centre. Photo: Julia Gunther

The Island Store opened especially for them so they could stock up on groceries and essentials, and the Tourism Centre welcomed them with a delicious lobster lunch, giving them a true taste of Tristan hospitality. After lunch, Odile, CBTO Manager, kindly took them on a tour of the Potato Patches, sharing a glimpse into island life and traditions. They were dropped back at the harbour at about 3:00 pm so they could return briefly to the yacht to collect their shower things.

The crew out at the Potato Patches. Photo: Odile Cesari

At 4:00 pm they came ashore again, where Vera, the Hospital Manager, generously opened the hospital facilities so they could freshen up. Clean and refreshed, they headed to the Albatross Bar for a quick drink before returning to their vessel for the evening.

Getting a better view at the Patches. Photos: Odile Cesari

On Sunday they came ashore once more, soaking up the beauty of Tristan, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, and visiting the pub again for one last taste of island life. The crew said they were delighted with their visit and expressed heartfelt thanks to the island community for the warmth, kindness, and memorable welcome they received throughout their stay.

Ecrin nestled next to Tristan in the midst of the vast South Atlantic Ocean. Photo: Julia Gunther

If you were on the SV Ecrin, we'd appreciate your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.

Visits of the MS Hamburg and yacht SV Vineta, February 2026

Report from Kelly Green with additional photos from Julia Gunther

Early on the morning of the 2nd February 2026, the village was awoken by the fishing gong, a familiar sound on Tristan da Cunha that signals the start of another working day at sea. The fishing boats headed out early and, at around 7:00am, the MS Hamburg came into view as she rounded the western side of the settlement, with 323 passengers on board.

Cruise Ship MS Hamburg

The MS Hamburg off the settlement with an island fishing boat in the foreground.

By mid-morning, the ship assessed the harbour for a landing. There was a swell at the harbour entrance and, while these are conditions that Tristan's highly experienced boat crews are accustomed to working in, the captain quite rightly made the careful decision that it was not safe for passengers to come ashore by tender or zodiac. Safety always comes first.

The MS Hamburg's tender assessing conditions in the harbour.

Rather than let the day go to waste, a Plan B was quickly put into action. The island RIB was launched and the immigration team went out to the ship, followed by several trips taking representatives from local shops and services on board. These trips were carried out by Tristan’s skilled and experienced RIB crews, whose deep local knowledge of the harbour and sea conditions ensures safe operations in challenging waters. Representatives from the Post Office and Tourism Centre, the Rockhopper Gift Shop, the Island Store and local handicraft sellers were able to board the ship, turning the ship’s lounge into a lively and welcoming space. Passengers and crew were delighted to browse, shop and chat with islanders, and many expressed how much they appreciated this opportunity to connect with Tristan, even without a landing.

Passengers throng the Rockhopper Gift Shop's stall in the ship's lounge.

By early afternoon, all teams returned ashore. By then, the swell had increased noticeably, reinforcing that the decision not to land had been the right one. These conditions, while manageable for Tristan's experienced RIB crews, would have posed difficulties for ship-based zodiac drivers unfamiliar with the harbour. The MS Hamburg then continued her scenic cruise around Tristan, Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands before heading onward, offering passengers spectacular views of the archipelago.

The Tristan Post Office's stall was very popular.

If you were on the MS Hamburg, we'd appreciate your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.

A new map of the village with art by students at St Mary's School was installed in readiness for this year's cruise season.

Yacht SV Vineta

The following day, the 3rd February, Tristan welcomed a much smaller vessel, the yacht Vineta, with five people on board, returning from the Cape to Rio race. Harbour conditions were even more challenging, with heavy swells entering the harbour. Despite this, the island search and rescue RIB, crewed by two highly experienced islanders, safely brought four of the visitors ashore, while one crew member remained on board the yacht to keep watch.

The yacht SV Vineta stopped at Tristan while returning from her triumphant 16 day dash from Cape Town to Rio da Janeiro in this year's Cape to Rio Race.

Once ashore, the contrast could not have been greater. The weather on land was calm, sunny and warm, and the visitors made the most of their time on Tristan. They enjoyed hot showers at the hospital, stocked up on supplies, and sat down to a memorable lobster lunch at the Post Office and Tourism Centre. An island tour followed, taking in the Potato Patches and the volcano, offering a real insight into island life and landscapes.

The Vineta's crew negotiating their way across the Big Watron towards the 1961 volcano.

Before departing, the visitors were keen to personally thank Andy, the island radio operator, who they said had been absolutely wonderful, even answering their radio check-in call at two o clock in the morning. As the swell continued to build, the RIB remained on standby throughout the day. With careful judgement, local knowledge and expert boat handling, the island crew safely returned the visitors to their yacht.

The Vineta's crew climbing a hill during their Patches hike for a good view of the landscape.

Later that evening, an email arrived from Felix, the captain of Vineta, thanking the island for its "amazing hospitality" and saying they would "treasure the memories of our short stay" .

If you were on the SV Vineta, we'd appreciate your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.

Life on Tristan da Cunha offers the chance to meet people from all over the world, whether they are sailing across the South Atlantic or visiting on a once in a lifetime cruise. Whatever the sea conditions, the experience, professionalism and warmth of the island crews help ensure that every visit is memorable.

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