Tristan da Cunha Visit News

Return visit of the yacht SV Urchin, December 2025

Report from Philip Kendall and Cynthia Green The 16th December 2025 saw a return visit by the expedition yacht SV Urchin, which has now become a regular visitor. It is wonderful to see the her here again, bringing the RSPB-funded invasive species eradication team who will spend Christmas and New Year on Inaccessible Island removing invasive flax. The Urchin left for Cape Town on the same day, but the team of four - Brandon Cloete, Carmen Ferreira, Aidan Hendriks and Stephen Hoffe - will remain on Inaccessible until February and then return on a regular vessel.

SV Urchin off the settlement on the 16th December 2025. Photo: Philip Kendall

Visits by the SH Diana and FV Antarctic Sea

Report by Nick Schönfeld with photos by Philip Kendall, 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

Stepping across the Big Watron and walking in the settlement (Photos: Julia Gunther)

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)

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)

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.

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.

Many people wanted their picture taken outside Prince Philip Hall (Photos: Julia Gunther)

The islanders' craft stalls in Prince Philip Hall were popular (Photos: Julia Gunther)

Above & below: Some of the knitted handicrafts on offer for sale in Prince Philip Hall (Photos: Julia Gunther)

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. 

Descending to the harbour (Photo: Julia Gunther)	A final photo opportunity at the harbour's welcome sign (Photo: Julia Gunther)

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.

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)

If you were on the FV Antarctic Sea, we'd welcome your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.

The SA Agulhas II's Second Visit of 2025

Report by Kelly Green. Photos individually credited

It's not often we can say this, never in my case, that the SA Agulhas II has visited Tristan twice so close together. The last visit was brilliant, and this one was right up there as well. She arrived on the 3rd November 2025. This time she was only around the island for about two weeks, bringing contractor teams and a few visitors. She was chartered using funds from the FCDO in order to deliver essential infrastructure projects. The offloading went smoothly despite the limited weather windows. With almost 700 ton of cargo on her, everyone pulled together and the stevedores worked hard to ensure cargo moved safely and quickly. The contractor teams settled in well and got straight to work, making good progress in the time they had.

SA Agulhas II at anchor off the settlement (Photo: Philip Kendall)

View through a window of the 1961 Volcano and the settlement (Photo: Matthew Tharp)	Ian Lavarello presenting a Tristan plaque to Captain Roland Clutties on the SA Agulhas II (Photo: Ian Lavarello)

Visitors' Activities

With time tight and the weather calling the shots, the Conservation Department made the most of the first calm spell and headed over to Nightingale. It turned into a fantastic day with some of the best wildlife our archipelago has to offer. On the way back they were even greeted by a group of dolphins or porpoises, which the guests said was spectacular.

Visitor Chris Farrell cosying down with Rockhopper Penguins on Nightingale Island (Photo: Matthew Tharp)

We also managed trips to Runaway Beach, the Thatched House Museum, and the 1961 volcano, and the group enjoyed a tour of the school.

Visitor Matthew Tharp poses atop the 1961 Volcano (Photo: Matthew Tharp)

Craft and Archive Day

The Tourism Centre hosted the very popular craft and archive day. Allowing the visitors to delve into Tristan's rich heritage and history.

Visitors at the craft and archive day (Photo: Julia Gunther)

Carding and spinning wool (Photos: Julia Gunther)

Archivist Nick Schönfeld explaining an exhibit to visitors (Photo: Julia Gunther)

Some of the manuscripts and photographs being safeguarded and digitised (Photo: Julia Gunther)	Philip and Louise Kendall examining an exhibit (Photo: Julia Gunther)

Bonus Yacht Visitors

We also welcomed a familiar face back to the island when the yacht Nicolisa, which visited earlier in the year, returned to the archipelago. The skipper came ashore, enjoyed a meal, and joined in the festivities. On Sunday 16th November, another yacht - Audaz II - arrived briefly on her way to take part in the Cape to Rio 2025 race. The crew only stopped for half a day but still managed to enjoy a delicious lobster lunch before continuing onward to Cape Town.

Yacht Nicolisa anchored off the settlement (Photo: Nick Schönfeld)

Yachts Auraz II and Nicolisa at anchor either side of the MFV Edinburgh (Photo: Fouche Conradie)	Lobster lunches ready to be served (Photo: Matthew Tharp)

The visitors and contractors also had an unexpected treat during their stay: they were able to join in our King's Day celebrations, which we have reported on a separate page. It turned into a brilliant, fun-filled day with activities on the American Fence hosted by the school, followed by a reception at the Residency where the Administrator handed out prizes. It was a lovely opportunity for guests to experience a real Tristan community event.

Departure

Sunday 16th November was lively all round, with many of the SA Agulhas II crew able to come ashore. They picked up gifts from the shop and later headed to the pub, where they had a great time with the community.

Captain Roland Clutties with Philip Kendall and Ian Lavarello in the Albatross Bar (Photo: Philip Kendall)	Charles Wickham, Philip Kendall, Dr Alex Wonner, Dr Acela Lopez and Dr Abigail Paton - the ship's doctor and formerly a doctor on Tristan (Photo: Philip Kendall)

Before departing on Monday 17th November, the ship completed a full circumnavigation of the island, giving everyone on board the chance to see Tristan and its dramatic coastline at its very best.

Gathering at the harbour prior to departure (Photo: Julia Gunther)

Charles Wickham and Simon Glass at the harbour (Photo: Philip Kendall)	Policemen Conrad Glass and Barry Thacker chat with a visitor (Photo: Philip Kendall)	Not being frisked! Visitor Chris Farrell being helped with his life vest. (Photo: Philip Kendall)

Raft leaving the harbour for the SA Agulhas II (Photo: Julia Gunther)

With the ship on her way, the Tourism Team switched gears to prepare for their first cruise ship of the season, the SH Diana, due to arrive on Thursday 20th November.

If you were on the SA Agulhas II, we'd welcome your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.

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