Île Amsterdam

Île Amsterdam (translates to Amsterdam Island) is a mostly uninhabited island of the Indian Ocean, far from almost everywhere. Together with Île Saint-Paul, it forms a district of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. Its only settlement is a research station.

Settlements

The research base

• 1 Martin-de-Viviès – research station, home to about 30 researchers at any given time

Understand

Firstly, you'll need to understand that Île Amsterdam is very difficult to reach. The closest piece of land to the island is Île Saint-Paul, which is about 85 km (53 mi) southwest, which also has a population of zero (except for the researchers). About 1400 km further south is Kerguelen, the closest piece of inhabited land, but also mainly the seasonal home of researchers. Otherwise, the closest inhabited pieces are Madagascar, mainland Australia, Réunion and several East African Islands or the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, all about 3000 km away.

Climate

The climate is usually cold all-year around, ranging between the tens. It mostly rains during the winter months.

Île Amsterdam
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       89     20 15       69     21 15       92     20 14       102     18 13       120     16 12       120     15 10       106     14 9       95     14 9       77     14 10       85     15 10       75     16 11       70     19 13 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm Climate data for Martin-de-Vivie from Météo France
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       3.5     69 58       2.7     69 59       3.6     67 58       4     64 56       4.7     61 53       4.7     58 50       4.2     57 49       3.7     56 49       3     58 49       3.3     59 50       3     61 52       2.7     66 56 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Visitor information

• Official website (in French)

Get in

There is no air service, and only a small landing pier at Martin-de-Viviès. This is visited four times a year by the support ship Marion Dufresne, which starts from Réunion and visits Crozet Islands, Kerguelen, Île Saint-Paul then Île Amsterdam and back to Réunion. Until 2019 tourist berths were available on these sailings; they were suspended because of Covid and in 2024 it was announced that they will not resume.

Get around

There are a few roads near Martin-de-Viviès but that's all. There aren't many so it's just easier to get around the entire island by walking or hiking.

See and do

• 1 Falaises d'Entrecasteaux. Straddling the island's west coast, these cliffs reach heights of over 700 metres and the site has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA). You'll find thousands of Indian yellow-nosed albatrosses and northern rockhopper penguins. (updated Aug 2022)
• 2 Plateau des Tourbières. The island's other IBA, covered in woodland and contains the highest peaks of the island. (updated Aug 2022)
• 3 Mont de la Dives. The island's highest peak, reaching 881 metres. It's a dormant volcano but it's unknown when the volcano last erupted. (updated Aug 2022)

Eat, drink and sleep

• 1 Le Skua, Avenue Martin de Viviès (in the centre of Martin-de-Viviès). The only restaurant, bar and accommodation on the island. (updated Aug 2022)

Go next

You'll go wherever your ship is next bound, very likely to Réunion. This has flights to Paris, other East African islands, and the Middle East.