Tristan da Cunha Post & Tourism

As we say goodbye to the paratroopers and military medics who arrived on Tristan earlier this month as part of the emergency medical support operation, we would like to say a huge thank you for everything they did during their time on the island.

Whilst the two military medics worked tirelessly at Camogli Hospital, providing valuable support to our healthcare team during a challenging period, the rest of the team also threw themselves into island life.

They spent time helping the Agriculture Department with fencing work, visited St Mary’s School where they met the children and shared some of their equipment, giving pupils a chance to see and feel what life in the military is like.

The Tourism Department also organised a guided walk to the ponds on the mountain, giving the team a chance to experience a little of Tristan’s unique landscape, and they even joined in with the traditional Tristan pillow dance, which was great fun and a lovely way to share a part of island culture.

A massive thank you to the whole team for your hard work, kindness and enthusiasm during your time on Tristan. It was a real pleasure to meet you all, and we wish you a safe journey home 👏🇹🇩

On 24 May 2026, the final phase of Tristan da Cunha’s emergency hantavirus support operation was successfully completed with the departure of HMS Medway.

Once weather conditions improved slightly, the military personnel who had arrived on Tristan by parachute earlier in the month were safely embarked, while civilian relief medics came ashore to continue supporting Tristan’s healthcare team. This marked the successful completion of another major stage in what has been one of the most significant emergency response operations ever carried out on Tristan da Cunha.

Although none of HMS Medway’s personnel were able to come ashore during the visit, they were still able to purchase souvenirs, postcards and Tristan stamps, which were organised, packaged and sent off by the Post Office and Tourism team. HMS Medway also kindly agreed to take a small amount of outgoing mail to the Falkland Islands on Tristan’s behalf, which was greatly appreciated.

While the UK Government, military personnel and visiting medical teams played a vital role, it is equally important to recognise and thank Tristan’s own boat crews, who bravely went out into difficult and hazardous sea conditions to help make this operation possible. Although conditions had improved slightly, it was by no means a safe day at sea, with heavy swells and challenging conditions still making operations extremely difficult. Their skill, bravery and commitment were a key part of ensuring the success of this historic response.

We thank everyone involved for their professionalism, courage and dedication in supporting Tristan da Cunha during this extraordinary time, and wish HMS Medway and her crew a safe onward journey.

Tristan da Cunha witnessed a historic operation as UK military personnel, medical clinicians, oxygen, and emergency medical supplies were parachuted onto the island following a medical emergency and critically low oxygen supplies.

The mission was carried out by the Royal Air Force and British Army, with an A400M aircraft flying more than 10,000 km to reach Tristan. The operation included specialist paratroopers, military medical staff, oxygen supplies, and emergency medical equipment to support the island’s healthcare team and community.

This marks the first time in Tristan da Cunha’s history that military personnel and medical supplies have been delivered to the island by parachute, and one of the most unique emergency support operations ever carried out to one of the world’s most remote communities.

We thank everyone involved, both on the island and those who travelled thousands of miles to support Tristan during this time. 🇬🇧🪂 Pictures Chloe Glass & Kelly Green

16 Air Assault Brigade

Picture of Tristan da Cunha island, taken by the conservation team. Stunning !!

https://apps.npr.org/life-on-tristan-da-cunha/
We’re proud to share this wonderful feature by our friends of Tristan da Cunha, Nick Schonfeld and Julia Gunther, for NPR’s The Picture Show.

This beautiful piece captures the real spirit of life on Tristan da Cunha, the world’s most remote inhabited island.

A huge thank you to Nick and Julia for helping share Tristan’s story with the world.

Please check it out, we know you’re going to love it.

Tristan da Cunha: The busiest place you’ve never seen Photographer Julia Gunther and writer-filmmaker Nick Schönfeld chronicle the rhythms of daily life on Tristan da Cunha, the world’s most remote inhabited island.

Now that the fishing, cruise and potatoe crop season has come to an end on Tristan da Cunha, islanders have been making the most of the quieter months by turning their attention back to essential work at home.

Over the past couple of weeks, there has been plenty happening around the settlement, with several homes being re-roofed. It’s hard work and, like so many things on Tristan, it takes the whole community coming together.

While some are busy up on the roofs fitting timbers and sheeting, others are keeping everyone going with hot meals, tea, and coffee. Whether on land or at sea, island life never really slows down, it just changes with the season. 🏠🔨🌊

Early on the morning of 2 February, the village was woken by the fishing gong and tgen the boats headed out for the day. Shortly after, the MS Hamburg came into view, rounding the western side of the settlement with 323 passengers on board.

Sea conditions meant that, although our island boat crews are very experienced and used to working in challenging conditions, the swell at the harbour entrance made it unsafe for passengers to land by tender or zodiac. With safety always the priority, a landing was not possible.

Instead, a Plan B was quickly put in place. Tristan’s skilled RIB crews safely ferried the immigration team and then island shops and services out to the ship. The Post Office and Tourism Centre, Rockhopper Gift Shop, Island Store and local handicraft sellers all boarded, turning the ship’s lounge into a lively space filled with conversation, shopping and smiles. Passengers and crew were incredibly appreciative of the effort and loved having the chance to connect with the island, even without coming ashore.

By early afternoon the swell had increased even more, confirming the right decision had been made. The MS Hamburg then continued her scenic cruise around Tristan, Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands, giving passengers beautiful views of the archipelago.

The following day we experienced a very different kind of visit, with the yacht Vineta arriving on her return from the Cape to Rio race. Despite heavy swells in the harbour, the island search and rescue RIB, crewed by two highly experienced islanders, safely brought four of the crew ashore.

Once on land, the day was calm, sunny and warm. The visitors enjoyed hot showers at the hospital, stocked up on supplies, shared a lobster lunch at the Post Office and Tourism Centre, and joined an island tour to the Potato Patches and the volcano. Before leaving, they were keen to thank Andy, our island radio operator, who had even answered their radio check-in call at two in the morning.

With the swell continuing to build, the RIB remained on standby and, using careful judgement and local knowledge, the island crew safely returned them to their yacht. Later that evening, the captain emailed to thank the island for its amazing hospitality and said they would treasure the memories of their short stay.

We are incredibly proud of our island crews and the experience, skill and teamwork they bring to every visit. Whether it’s a large cruise ship or a small yacht crossing the South Atlantic, Tristan da Cunha always does its best to offer a warm welcome, whatever the sea conditions.

Sheep shearing day was held on Saturday 24th January and what a lovely one it was 🐑☀️

It’s one of those proper Tristan days that never really changes. Neighbours helping neighbours, plenty of laughter, sore arms by the end of it, and the steady rhythm of shears that you grow up hearing.

Sheep shearing has been part of island life for generations . After shearing, the wool is sorted by hand. The best quality fleeces are cleaned and used for spinning and knitting, which then become many of the woollen items made on the island 🧶

Wool that isn’t suitable for knitting isn’t wasted either. It’s taken up to the Patches and used as a natural fertiliser, helping improve the soil and retain moisture for growing crops. A simple system that’s been used here for years, making sure every part of the fleece is put to good use.

We were lucky with the weather too, blue skies and calm conditions, which always makes the day feel that bit more special.

Photos by Rob Kelly