Current Time in Pitcairn Islands
The Pitcairn Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the South Pacific with around 40 residents, most of them descendants of the Bounty mutineers. The islands use UTC-8 all year, so they are eight hours behind the UK in winter and nine hours behind in summer.
About time in Pitcairn Islands
The island group is one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth, about 3,300 miles from New Zealand. The mutineers from HMS Bounty settled on Pitcairn in 1790 after the mutiny against Captain Bligh.
Pitcairn does not change its clocks, so the gap with the UK changes only when the UK moves between GMT and BST. Because it lies far across the date line from Asia and Australia, it is almost a day behind them.
Ships carry supplies to the island a few times a year, and there is no airport. Visitors come by a long sea passage from French Polynesia, and communication with London depends on satellite links, with calls usually arranged for the UK morning.
Pitcairn's longitude of 130 degrees west puts the sun about nine hours behind London. A UK morning call at 09:00 GMT reaches the island at 01:00.
- About 40 residents.
- Capital: Adamstown.
- Settled by the Bounty mutineers in 1790.
Other UK territories
Clock change guides
- What Is Daylight Saving Time (DST)? A Plain-English GuideWhat daylight saving time is, how it works in the UK, Europe and the US, why it exists, its history, who uses it and the argument over scrapping it.
- Why Do the Clocks Go Back in October? The Real ReasonThe clocks go back in autumn to return the UK to GMT, so winter mornings are lighter. The history, the rule, what time it happens and what changes for you.
- When Do the Clocks Go Forward Again After Going Back?When the UK clocks go forward again after the autumn change, how long the UK stays on GMT, when evenings get lighter and how to remember to reset your clocks.
Frequently asked questions
What time is it in Pitcairn Islands?
The Pitcairn Islands use UTC-8 all year, so they are eight hours behind the UK in winter and nine hours behind in summer.
When do the clocks change in Pitcairn Islands?
The Pitcairn Islands do not change their clocks. The gap with the UK changes only when the UK moves between GMT and BST.
Is Pitcairn Islands part of the UK?
Pitcairn Islands is a British Overseas Territory, which is under British sovereignty but is not part of the United Kingdom itself.
How do you reach the Pitcairn Islands?
By ship from Mangareva in French Polynesia, a passage of around 32 to 36 hours.
What time is it in Pitcairn when it is noon in the UK?
04:00 in UK winter and 03:00 in UK summer.