Climate and Weather of Pitcairn Islands
The Pitcairn Islands group is a tropical British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean composed of four volcanic islands that are officially named the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands. The island group is sparsely populated with Pitcairn Island as the only inhabited island in the territory, making the rest of the islands practically untouched. Because of this, the Pitcairn Islands are a tropical haven of breathtaking natural attractions, offering travellers a breath of fresh air during their stay.On average, the Pitcairn Islands enjoy a tropical climate all year-round with relatively constant temperatures during most months of the year. The warmest months in the Pitcairn Islands are from January to March, while the coldest months in the island group are July and August. In particular, January is the warmest month in Adamstown, the capital of Pitcairn Islands, with maximum daytime temperatures of around 28°C, and nighttime temperatures of around 22°C. Meanwhile, July and August both have maximum temperatures ranging from 18°C at night in Adamstown to 22°C during the day in the same capital city.
Due to their tropical nature, the Pitcairn Islands experience fairly consistent rainfall with minimal variations in precipitation levels throughout the year. January is the driest month in the Pitcairn Islands with an average rainfall ranging around 121 mm in Adamstown, while December is the wettest month with an average rainfall ranging around 166 mm also in Adamstown.
What is the best way to get to the Pitcairn Islands?
The only route to the Pitcairn Islands involves air travel to the island country of French Polynesia, then a boat ride from French Polynesia to the Pitcairn Islands.
The journey starts from any airport with a flight to Tahiti International Airport in French Polynesia, then an inter-island flight from Tahiti International Airport to Totegegie Airport. Travellers would then take a 32-hour boat ride from Totegegie to the island of Pitcairn.
Do the Pitcairn Islands experience hurricanes?
Tropical depressions formed in the Pacific Ocean near the Islands turn into cyclones instead of hurricanes, as ‘cyclone’ is the term used by both locals and weather stations covering the Islands. Only a few cyclones have hit the Pitcairn Islands in the past, and this shows that cyclones are rare in this part of the world. Cyclones directly form in the Pacific Ocean near the Islands, so the chances are generally slim for a tropical depression to escalate into cyclones.
Why do people visit the Pitcairn Islands?
Travellers visit the Pitcairn Islands with hopes of indulging in a secluded and peaceful escapade from this remotely explored part of the world. Among the territory's natural wonders is a wide whale reserve, spanning 840,000 km (approximately 453,500 nautical miles). This makes the Pitcairn Islands home to one of the largest, no-take marine reserves in the world. In addition, the territory is home to rare terrestrial species, the most popular being Ms. T, the only Galapagos Tortoise residing in the Islands.
When is the best time to visit the Pitcairn Islands?
The best time to visit the Pitcairn Islands is from April to May when average temperatures are warm and relatively consistent every month between 20°C and 26°C. Travelling in the Pitcairn Islands entails lots of walking, so be sure to stay hydrated at all times and wear loose, comfortable clothing.
The pleasant weather permits travellers to engage in dynamic outdoor activities such as self-guided walks, hiking, diving, playing Tennis, and visiting local shops for souvenirs. Whale sightseeing is also made possible as whales can be seen around the Pitcairn Islands during the warmer months.
We do not recommend going to the Pitcairn Islands in December as tropical cyclones can potentially form starting this month. Higher levels of rainfall could also disrupt your itinerary.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Pitcairn Islands?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.