In April 2026, during the Atlantic Odyssey voyage, Oceanwide Expeditions (fleet) completed a series of landings across the Tristan da Cunha archipelago's three principal islands—Tristan da Cunha, Nightingale Island, and Inaccessible Island. Each one was approached by Zodiac craft under controlled conditions.
The Atlantic Odyssey cruise was operated by Oceanwide's ice-strengthened expedition ship Plancius.
Situated in the South Atlantic at a considerable distance from both South Africa and South America, the archipelago remains among the most isolated inhabited regions globally. It is one of three constituent parts of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
Operations in Tristan's waters are dictated by variable sea states and limited landing windows, factors that have historically prevented consistent access to all islands within a single voyage. The successful sequence of landings therefore reflects both favourable timing and the accumulated experience of expedition teams working in remote environments.
The islands hold considerable ecological importance, supporting a range of endemic and threatened species. Among these are the Inaccessible Island Rail and Wilkins’s Finch, both infrequently observed in the wild. The itinerary provides one of the few structured opportunities for close observation of such species within their natural habitat.
Following established biosecurity protocols, tourists were ferried to each island where conditions permitted. The principal settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas (on Tristan da Cunha), home to a small permanent population, formed the focal point of the main landing. Activities included engagement with the local community, observation of agricultural practices such as the cultivation of the island’s potato fields, and participation in educational exchanges. Logistical support operations were also undertaken, including the preparation of locally harvested goods for onward transport.
Expedition leadership later noted that achieving landings across all three islands had not been recorded in more than a decade and a half, attributing the outcome to a combination of planning, environmental awareness, and operational readiness. It was further indicated that the voyage offered access to wildlife encounters and landing opportunities not typically attainable on less specialised itineraries.
Conditions at Inaccessible Island remained challenging, with deteriorating weather limiting the duration and scope of shore access. Not all passengers were able to land, and the operation was curtailed in accordance with safety requirements. Supplementary Zodiac cruising was conducted to offset restricted access, while at Gough Island, where landings are prohibited for conservation reasons, coastal exploration was carried out from the water.
Subsequent commentary from the expedition team acknowledged the inherent difficulty of landing on Inaccessible Island, noting that previous attempts across multiple voyages had often been unsuccessful. The partial landing achieved during this voyage, alongside extensive coastal navigation, was regarded as a notable operational outcome under prevailing conditions.
The UK's Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is accessible only by sea. Oceanwide Expeditions maintains an established relationship with the local community, including the transport of goods to St Helena and the facilitation of limited travel for residents.
The Atlantic Odyssey voyage, conducted annually at the conclusion of the Antarctic season, links Ushuaia with a sequence of remote South Atlantic destinations, combining expedition cruising with logistical support roles. Future departures are scheduled to continue this pattern of navigation through isolated maritime regions where access remains dependent on both environmental conditions and operational precision.