Tristan : GUIDANCE NOTE ON APPLICATION TO VISIT TRISTAN DA CUNHA
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 06.05.2008 (Current Article)

An application must be submitted to the Administrator stating the full purpose of your visit, duration of stay, nationality and age.

GOVERNMENT OF TRISTAN DA CUNHA

GUIDANCE NOTE ON APPLICATION TO VISIT TRISTAN DA CUNHA

Thank you for your enquiry to visit Tristan da Cunha.

An application must be submitted to the Administrator stating the full purpose of your visit, duration of stay, nationality and age.  If visitors wish to stay longer than 2 months then they will need to provide a “Police Vetting Certificate”.

The final decision is then made by the Island Council.  It is unusual for agreement to be withheld.

All visitors who wish to stay ashore must have proof of the following:

i) A return ticket and confirmed booking;

ii) Adequate medical insurance to include cover for medical evacuation to Cape Town;

iii) Sufficient funds to cover the entire stay.

A Landing Fee of £15.00 and a Harbour Tax of £5.00 must be paid on arrival to the Immigration Officer or Treasury Department.

The Island cannot cash personal cheques or accept credit cards.  Travellers cheques in Sterling (the currency of the island), US$ or South African Rand can be cashed.  Notes in those currencies can be accepted, but not coins. 

There is a range of Government and private accommodation on Tristan.  In order to share the business around the community this is allocated by the Administrator’s Office.  All efforts will be made to accommodate visitor’s preferences.

Visitor’s should state their requirement upon first application, including any dietary requirements.

Cost of accommodation is as follows:-

a) In an Island Home -  £40.00 per person per night, which covers bed, three meals and laundry.

b) Guesthouses – £20.00 per person per day, self-catering (gas and electricity not included) or 40 pounds full board.

Please note that 25% of all accommodation costs is a Government hospitality tax.

Children’s discounts

Self-catering and Full Board:

Under 12 yrs 50% discount; Under 2 yrs free

The full amount for the stay is payable to the Treasury on departure.

There are basically two types of visit to Tristan da Cunha, all originating in Cape Town.  These are:

a) A three-week visit in September on the "SA Agulhas", a South African Antarctic Research vessel.  Bookings are made with TABLE BAY MARINE, PO BOX 557, MAITLAND 7405, CAPE TOWN.  Tel: +27-21-531-4700, Fax: +27-21-531-4794.

b) For a longer stay it is necessary to come on a fishing vessel, which leaves Cape Town approximately four times a year.  Bookings are made with OVENSTONE AGENCIES, PO BOX 727, GREENPOINT 8051, SOUTH AFRICA.  Tel: +27-21-421-6169, Fax: +27-21-421-6177

There are few Import Regulations.  However, the importation of alcohol is strictly controlled.  Any visitor will be allowed two bottles volume of 750ml of spirit only.

Visitors to the Island who wish to walk up the mountain or to the other side of the Island must be accompanied by an Islander for safety reasons.

ADMINISTRATOR