Tristan da Cunha Visit News

Visit of the Cruise Ship MV Hondius, April 2026

Report from Kelly Green

And just like that, the 2025/26 cruise season has come to an end… and what a truly memorable season it has been.

This year felt different in the best possible way. The weather was incredibly kind to us, giving us calm seas and clear days time and time again. For Tristan, that is never something we take for granted, and it meant that almost every single ship was able to land successfully. The only exception was the Hamburg, which made the decision not to land despite conditions being favourable.

The MV Hondius off Pigbite with the island cliffs and the Peak in the background, and the 1961 volcanic cone in the foreground at the right. Photo: Philip Kendall

Our final visit of the season was the MV Hondius, and even as we moved well into mid April, the island continued to deliver those perfect little weather windows. She arrived in morning of Tuesday 14th April 2026, and cruised off the north east of Tristan while immigration formalities were dealt with.

Barry Thacker and Philip Kendall with (left) Captain Jan Dobrogowski, and (right) with Expedition Leader and regular visitor Hans Verdaat, returning islander Conrad Glass, and Leon Glass. Photos: Philip Kendall

Two of our island guides joined the ship in hopes of making a landing at Inaccessible Island. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t quite play along for a landing, but guests were still treated to zodiac cruising around the island, which in itself is an unforgettable experience, getting up close to the cliffs and wildlife. The ship also did a circumnavigation of Tristan island.

MV Hondius approaching the harbour amid the early morning sunbeams. Photo: Kelly Green

Wednesday morning started early, with one of those breathtaking sunrises that stops you in your tracks. It was a cooler start, but the sea was calm, the skies were clear, and everything just came together perfectly. Visitors spent the day ashore making the most of everything on offer. There was a great buzz around the settlement, with guests heading off on guided walks, exploring at their own pace, visiting the museum, and enjoying all the open venues. The pub, as always, was a firm favourite, full of laughter and stories being shared from their journey.

A group of intrepid Most Traveled People unfurl their banner atop the 1961 volcano. Photo: Phillips Connor

Tristan's COO, Craig Robertson, taking photographs of Hondius visitors at the Romotest Island sign - a full time job!.
Photo: Philip Kendall

By way of something different, a passenger who owns a museum in Katwijk, Holland, showed a video that some of the students at Pieter Groen College had put together to show the children here on Tristan. The college is named after one of Tristan's founding fathers Peter Green (originally Pieter Groen). Hondius crew members also talked to the children. We report separately on St Mary's School's Hondius visitors.

Joep from Katwijk, Holland shows Tristan's schoolchildren a video made for them by students at Pieter Groen College. Photo: Rhyanna Swain

Then came Thursday, and what a way to round things off. We were so pleased to hear that conditions came right at Nightingale Island, allowing 110 passengers to land. It’s always something special when that happens, and a brilliant way to end the visit on a high. On Friday, the Hondius did a circumnavigation of Gough Island before continuing on her way to St Helena.

The Hondius at Nightingale Island and zodiacs waiting to pick up passengers. Photos: Wayne Swain

The visit of the Hondius was more than just a cruise ship visits. She brought with her returning islander Conrad Glass, and kindly took away with her a family of islanders with her who are travelling overseas - Paul, Geraldine & Katie Repetto, and Linda Green. That was not all she took away with her. She took several of sacks of Tristan potatoes that had been ordered by people on St Helena, and also a supply of fresh seafood for the ship's galley, including our famous rock lobster.

Tristan potatoes bagged up for customers on St Helena. Photo: Philip Kendall	Islanders leaving Tristan with passengers for their onward journey to St Helena via Gough Island. Photo: Philip Kendall

Behind the scenes, it has been a full and busy season. From early starts at the harbour, opening venues, running tours, preparing food, managing shops, coordinating with ships, and everything in between, it has taken a huge team effort. There are not many of us here, but everyone steps up, and that’s what makes it all work.

Fresh Tristan lobster and yellowtails being taken to the ship. Photo: Philip Kendall

I would personally like to say a huge thank you to everyone on the island who has played a part this season, whether front of house or behind the scenes. Your hard work, flexibility and positivity do not go unnoticed. And of course, thank you to all the cruise ship teams who continue to bring visitors to Tristan, sharing our island with people from all over the world and giving them a once in a lifetime experience.

As one season closes, we already start looking ahead. We look forward to welcoming you all again in the years to come.

If you were on the MV Hondius, we'd welcome your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.

Page Updated: Tristan da Cunha Visitors' Feedback
Feedback from visitors to Tristan da Cunha. 16-Apr-2026
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Visits of Yachts Amundsen and Vinson of Antarctica, Easter 2026

Report Kelly Green

This week, we thought it might have been a quieter one after the past couple of weeks with cruise ship visits, but it seems Tristan is proving to be a very popular destination this year, which is wonderful to see.

Yacht Amundsen

On Wednesday 8th April 2026, we welcomed the yacht Amundsen, carrying twelve people on board, all part of a student group travelling from Chile. They had a wonderful day ashore, enjoying a lobster lunch, taking in the sights, walking around the settlement and relaxing with cold beers in the Tourism Centre garden. They stayed overnight at the island on the yacht and made the most of their time on the island.

The yacht Amundsen transferring crew to the harbour by RIB. Photo: Kelly Green	Kate Schnippering holding a copy of her article on her previous visits to Tristan. Photo: Kelly Green

It was also particularly special as one of the sailors on board, Kate Schnippering, had previously written an article, 'Imaginary Islands' about travelling to Tristan da Cunha. She kindly brought the magazine with her, and we were able to have it signed. The article shares her earlier attempts to land on the island, when weather conditions prevented it, and how she was finally able to return and successfully land a few years later. It was really lovely to see, and we look forward to reading it properly when we get a spare moment. It was also nice to welcome familiar, friendly faces back to the island.

Yacht Vinson of Antarctica

The following morning, we also welcomed the yacht Vinson of Antarctica, with another ten visitors arriving. It made for a busy and lively time at the Tourism Centre. With a small island population and a limited workforce, days like this certainly keep everyone busy, but in the best possible way, and it was fantastic to see the centre full and to welcome so many people to the island.

The Vinson of Antarctica at anchor. Photo: Odile Cesari

It was especially nice to see Paul and his team again on Vinson of Antarctica, even if only briefly as we were kept busy throughout their visit. The group enjoyed a lovely lunch, and one of the visitors took a scenic drive around the island with Stacey. Caryn and Lillie were kept busy serving on the tills and assisting throughout the day.

The yachts Amundsen and Vinson of Antarctica anchored off the settlement on the 9th April 2026.
Both yachts visited Tristan at Easter last year. Photo: Philip Kendall

If you were on either of the yachts, we'd welcome your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.

Visit of the Cruise Ship Silver Wind, March 2026
The cruise ship MV Silver Wind visited Tristan on the 29th March 2026. 31-Mar-2026
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Visits by the cruise ships Silver Cloud and the SH Diana
The cruise ship MV Silver Cloud visited Tristan from the 19th to 21st March 2026, and was joined by the SH Diana on the 20th March 23-Mar-2026
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Visit of the Yacht Nebula
The yacht SV Nebula visited Tristan from the 24th to the 28th February 2026. 3-Mar-2026
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Visit on the Yacht Ecrin
The yacht SV Ecrin visited Tristan from the 13th to the 15th February 2026 19-Feb-2026
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Visits of the MS Hamburg and yacht SV Vineta, February 2026
The cruise ship MS Hamburg visited Tristan on the 2nd February 2026, followed by the yacht Vineta on the 3rd February. 4-Feb-2026
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Return visit of the yacht SV Urchin, December 2025
The yacht SV Urchin visited Tristan on the 16th December 2025, bringing the Inaccessible Island flax eradication team. 22-Dec-2025
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