St Helena Island awaits you
There is much to be explored in this idyllic isle of volcanic origins
A volcanic dot in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, St Helena truly is a breath of fresh air. Following the opening of its first and only airport in 2017, visiting the island has never been easier. Just a 6-hour flight from Johannesburg can transport you from the hustle and bustle to the idyllic, picturesque island of St Helena.
The friendly locals, known as 'Saints', have been welcoming guests to their shores for centuries. If the idea of getting off the beaten track appeals to you, then St Helena is the ideal paradise. There are things you can do and see here unlike anywhere else in the world.
Explore a remarkable heritage
Once you scratch the surface of Britain’s second oldest colony, you’ll discover a unique array of influences and cultures from around the world – Europe, Asia, Africa, and more. The unique dialect of the English-speaking, melting-pot population of 4,439 Saints fills the streets of the capital city of Jamestown, wedged between the expansive hills of James Valley.
Visitors often compare visiting Jamestown to stepping back in time, perhaps due to the 18th-century buildings that give the town its distinctive Georgian appearance, but also because the place is comfortingly familiar yet heart-warmingly different, possessing a distinctive and unspoilt island culture.
Brimming with breath-taking environments
You are sure to be amazed by the spectacular diversity of the 47sq. mile island of St Helena. Its volcanic origins created a sub-tropical paradise where the mountainous terrain and micro-climates provide an astounding diversity of landscapes, all within a few minutes' drive. Its remote location has also allowed a very special biodiversity; there are more than 500 species of flora and fauna on the island that aren’t found anywhere else on Earth. What’s more, St Helena boasts the last remaining cloud forest on British soil. The forest is situated within the ‘Peaks National Park’ and holds around 250 unique species, equating to more than one-sixth of the total endemic biodiversity in the UK and its territories.
Exceptional birds and wildlife
There are plenty of colonies of seabirds including the spectacular red-billed tropicbirds and the white terns, not to mention the island’s last remaining endemic land bird species, the St Helena plover, locally termed the Wirebird: found nowhere but on St Helena, the total Wirebird population is just 602. Last but not least, no trip to St Helena would be complete without paying a visit to Jonathan the Tortoise, who is celebrating his 190th birthday this year; making him the oldest living land animal in the world. He can be found at the Plantation House paddock, alongside a handful of other younger tortoises. Visitors are always encouraged to come and say hello!
Dive into natural beauty
St Helena is a world-renowned marine destination, with warm waters and high visibility. Dive spots vary from shipwrecks and areas of boulders to cobbles and sand, all teeming with marine life. Snorkelers and scuba divers can encounter a vast array of marine wildlife, including the endemic St Helena Butterfly Fish and the Deepwater Jack. Green and Hawksbill Turtles are often spotted and visits from devil rays are not uncommon. Whale sharks visit the island annually, and boat cruises around the island frequently provide dolphin or humpback whale sightings too.