Edinburgh of Seven Seas: Welcome to The remotest Island

The most remote human settlement on Earth, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas located on the island of Tristan da Cunha is a surreal picture. It unravels a splendid expanse that captivates your eyes.

The seemingly endless expanse is the South Atlantic Ocean about 1200 miles from the nearest inhabited island. It is about 1500 miles from the closest continental island- South Africa you will reach the crest of a small and tiny volcanic island. The landscape in emerald green is dotted. It is speckled with an assortment of homes and buildings which adds a tinge of civilization to the peacefully calm and lonely surroundings. This island is known as Tristan da Cunha, and its capital Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. The capital is testimony to the resilience and spirit of survival of human beings. The most remote settlement on earth, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is a delightful place that will take your breath away with not just its beauty but with its indomitable spirit of the community that resides here.

Edinburgh of the Seven Seas located on the north part of the coast of Tristan da Cunha is home to an extraordinary community since the beginning of the 19^th century. Built on slightly sloping land, The Settlement as the locals call it lied beneath 800-metre-high cliffs and overlooked the sandy beaches of the Big and Little Beach. The Settlement was named Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Tristan da Cunha post a visit from the Duke of Edinburgh, His Royal Highness Prince Alfred the second son of Queen Victoria in 1867. Since the locals did not want it to be referred by that name, they just stuck to calling Edinburgh of the Seven Seas as The Settlement.

You cannot get to Tristan da Cunha by flight, and you will need to take a boat, most likely from Cape Town or the Walvis Bay in Namibia. Only 10 ships are making the trip in a year and require careful and special planning if you wish to travel all by yourself. Most of the places available for accommodation are booked months in advance. They are mainly booked by locals returning to their island. A trip to Edinburgh of the Seven Seas could take you up to five to six days. The approximate cost of tickets will be around 800 USD for a return journey on any one of the fishing vessels and about 1000 USD to 1200 USD on the Agulhas Ship. You need permission to visit the island, and it is advised to contact them through their website for details about schedules and prices. You would need to contact the Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Tristan da Cunha website to get details for accommodation and any possible trips on Tristan da Cunha or the surrounding islands.

Alternatively, if you wish to visit for a brief period, it is best to sign up for a tour with boats that are mainly sailing ships between Antarctica and Europe. They are expensive but worth every bit of the cost. Oceanwide Expedition is a reputed company that operates a cruise to Tristan da Cunha and surrounding remote islands during March and April.

When at Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, there is a tour that you can take to cruise around the island and The Settlement. It will give you a deep peak into the only attractions that dot this place.

If you have braved the elements and managed to land on Tristan da Cunha, you must visit this place. A departing point for all activities on Tristan, this place is all in one- a post office, administrative centre, café, museum, souvenir shop, museum, and the tourism centre. Stamps are a major source of income for the Tristan islanders and the welcoming, congenial and friendly helpful service of the Post Office is a reflection of this. With very pleasant staff and a helpful office, you can move around the gift shop which sells locally produced items and some great souvenirs for you to take home to reminisce about your visit to the remotest settlement on Earth. The building also houses the Tourist Centre and a café that sells lovely sandwiches and beverages. With a very friendly staff, you can trust the place to remain open for the duration of a visit to the ship.

The world’s remotest bar, Albatross Bar Edinburgh is located within the Prince Philip Hall building. You cannot leave the place without enjoying a drink at the Albatross Bar Edinburgh. A long journey to make just for a drink, but it is an experience like none other. The bar called Albatross Bar is located on the eastern side of Prince Philip Hall, the local common house. It is situated with the village of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. It has a complete selection of beer, wine, spirits, and a pool table for those who like a bit of competition while enjoying their drinks. You could also get a chance to sample some homemade brew from one of the local islanders if you come at the right time. You can sip on some cheap imported South African beers. Although not the fanciest of establishments, Albatross Bar Edinburgh is a great place to have a fun conversation with humans who delight in living more than 1000 miles from all other human beings.

The Thatched House Museum is a traditional Tristan cottage built newly in 2012. The cottage has been built from locally quarried volcanic rock and thatched with New Zealand flax. Lined inside with painted wood, which would have been salvaged from shipwrecks in the past and furnished in a completely traditional style, it is a sight to see. The cottage has a traditional outside privy. To add a touch of authenticity, guides wear a traditional costume to show the people around. The museum is also available for overnight stays if you wish to experience the magic of living in a unique stay!

The summit of the island of Tristan da Cunha, Queen Mary’s Peak in the South Atlantic Ocean is at an elevation of 2062 metres above sea level. It is a classic volcanic kind of cone with a crater at the centre. The upper slopes are devoid of vegetation and are primarily composed of loose volcanic ash or cinders which were produced during an eruption from the central crater. Lashing and heavy rains have reduced the height of the peak by about 200 metres by erosion. It can be seen in the towering radial V-shaped valley with narrow ridges that intervene and lead to the broader Base at the bottom. The Southern peak and the base are the unexplored regions which form the breeding ground for the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross and other sea birds. The peak is also a mecca for lovers with its stunning view of the heart-shaped crater lake. Reaching it is a labour of love owing to the perilous hike which can be undertaken only in good weather. The islander knit traditional love socks that are threaded with colourful stripes which convey romantic messages for your loved ones.

Considering that you are visiting the most remote part of the world which is miles away from dense civilization, you must plan your trip to the last and minutest detail. Make sure you tick the below when you are planning your trip:

The Settlement or the Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is at the same latitude as Melbourne in Australia. It is more influenced by tropical overtures polar air which drifts more to the north to move the ice-bergs to nurture the breeding of penguins. The Edinburgh of the Seven Seas experiences a cool temperate oceanic climate with the inhabitants not experiencing any frost. But the peak does cover with snow during winters. The temperature in summer can drop to 25 degrees, and even in winters, sea temperatures drop to 13 degrees. Tristan da Cunha can be warm during the winters than Cape Town.

Travelling to Tristan da Cunha from Cape Town is a 2810 km journey that will take at least 5-6 days. Scheduled ships ply from Cape Town to Tristan da Cunha and return. Most of the vessels are provided by the Fishing Company Ovenstones which carries only 12 passengers. These vessels are the fishing vessels MFV Edinburgh and MFV Geo Searcher that carry extensive fishing trips to the outer islands namely Inaccessible, Nightingale and Gough during the fishing season. The last trip is the annual Gough Island relief voyage provided by the South African Antarctic Research and Supply vessel that calls at Tristan da Cunha on its outward and returns voyage carrying over 40 passengers. Ships are booked months in advance, and the terms and conditions must be read carefully. The “Passenger policy” regarding priorities must be read which could cancel berths at short notice.

You must know in advance that there are no restaurants and hotels to dine in at the Edinburgh of the Seven Seas.

You must know the Tristan da Cunha is an active stratovolcano which is formed above a Magna hot-spot about 400 km east of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The volcano erupted first 3 million years ago from the deep ocean floor almost 3500 metres deep. Eruptions that followed built a cone about 48 km wide and about 5500 metres high with the Queen Mary’s Peal at almost 2,060 kms above sea level. It overlooks a heart shape crater lake.

You will be able to choose from a range of accommodation options at The Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. Below is the range of available options:

The Tristan da Cunha Government owns and manages its own houses in Cape Town. There are a variety of self-catering types that offer you the privilege to cook and relax at your leisure. The prices vary for Tristan islanders and others.

Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is a small village that is home to about seventy families who are primarily farmers who graze their animals on common pastures and cultivate crops like potatoes in patches with the help of hand tools. You could become part of this traditional living by renting a guest house with a catered or self-catering option. You can also stay in homes on a full board basis. It must also be noted 75% of the charges are paid to the island family and the 25% is paid to the Government.

You have a range of Government and private accommodation on Tristan da Cunha. There are about eleven houses available in the Edinburgh of the Seven Seas with a catered and self-catered option. The Tristan Thatched House Museum is available for a one-night stay with a catered option. The proceeds of the guesthouses also are paid to the Government and the islanders.

One may imagine that with such a small settlement the Edinburgh of the Seven Seas will be devoid of any events and festivals. Well, it will be surprising to note that the calendar is packed with events like carding and spinning wool in January to fishing trips in August and November. December is full of activities like harvesting new potatoes and Christmas. On 14^th August 1816, a British navy ship took possession of Tristan da Cunha on behalf of King George III, and from then on, the island has been British. Flags are flown on this day and celebrations are generally low key although it is marked as a public holiday.