Rising proudly above the waves of the South Atlantic Ocean, an astonishing 1,200 miles from the western coast of Africa, St Helena Island stands alone as one of the most remote islands in the world.
Up until a few years ago, weekly flights year-round have meant that visitors must spend at least a week on the island. However, with twice-weekly flights now having been introduced during the summer months, we still believe that St Helena's well deserving of at least a week's stay.
Our Africa Travel Specialist, Nikki Lynas, recently visited in February/March 2024, and is here to provide her top ten things to do on St Helena (in no particular order).
"I last visited St Helena in February/March 2024. This biodiverse island has a bounty of experiences for nature lovers. And, with direct flights from Cape Town between December and March now available, it makes for an excellent twin-centre adventure too." - Nikki Lynas, Africa Travel Specialist
Nikki during her Blue Point Post Box Walk in St Helena
1. Tour Plantation House
Governor of St Helena’s residence, Plantation House
A visit to the district of St Paul's is incomplete without touring Plantation House.
Built by the East India Company in 1791-2, the residence of the Governor of St Helena Island still stands to this day and is also in use for tours. The house is open to the public to visit a couple of times a week, but only at the discretion of the governor, whose partner spends the majority of their time living there.
Aside from experiencing the history and culture, you're also likely to meet the island's most iconic resident - 192-year-old Seychelles giant tortoise Jonathan, thought to be the oldest living terrestrial animal.
Jonathan, the 192-year-old Seychelles giant tortoise
Visitors of Plantation House can enter the paddock and meet him and his other tortoise friends. If you're lucky, he may even pose for a photo! At the end of the house tour, you can even enjoy coffee and cake - the perfect way to finish the experience.
"When visiting Plantation House on my most recent trip to St Helena, I had the pleasure of meeting 192-year-old Jonathan the tortoise, currently the world’s oldest land animal – a living, breathing example of the island’s extraordinary biodiversity." - Nikki Lynas, Africa Travel Specialist
Nikki meeting Jonathan the tortoise at Plantation House
2. Board a Boat to Watch Wildlife
Sunset over the Atlantic as seen from the capital, Jamestown
Set sail on a boat trip to search for schools of pantropical spotted, bottlenose and rough-toothed dolphins as well as turtles and devil rays. If you want to also be in with a chance of spotting whale sharks, make sure you plan your trip during their migration season, between December and March. Humpback whales also migrate to St Helena Island and are most often sighted from June to December.
Humpback whale breaching in the South Atlantic Ocean
The whale sharks do come close to the surface, so you may be able to see them from the boat if you aren’t comfortable getting into the water. If you have no luck in seeing them, you can be taken to a different location with calmer waters where you can see dolphins elegantly breeching the surface. It’s also an excellent place for scuba diving, as you’ll discover sunken shipwrecks such as Papanui and biodiverse marine species like the St Helena butterflyfish.
You'll also be able to see old fortifications as well as outposts that are still standing. Boat trips are easily followed by afternoons spent snorkelling and immersing yourself in the underwater world.
3. Explore the Island's History
Napoleon's empty tomb in Sane Valley
St Helena Island has a long history for you to uncover on your trip.
Many of the buildings which stand today have been in active use for the last few hundred years and various museums showcase artifacts such as the flying lizard, thought to be an extinct endemic species.
From exploring the beautifully kept Castle Gardens in the capital of Jamestown to learning about the island’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, there are plenty of ways to live and breathe this history. You can even walk up the Grade I listed staircase, Jacob's Ladder, from Jamestown and look out over the city below.
Nikki's recommendations range from the final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte to a church which was founded all the way back in 1774 and one of the 'Seven Wonders of St. Helena'.
Longwood House
Longwood House, Napoleon's final residence
Head to Longwood House in the Longwood district. Napoleon spent six years here after being exiled to St Helena Island in 1815, dying at Longwood House in 1821. By taking a short drive from Longwood House, you'll discover Napoleon's tomb. Napoleon's tomb has laid empty since 1840, when the remains of Napoleon were transferred and re-buried in L’Hotêl Les Invalides.
This is a beautiful, peaceful spot that's well worth visiting during your time on the island.
St James Church
St James Church is the oldest Anglican church in the southern hemisphere, originally built around 1774. A memorial plaque on the wall reads "In memory of GEORGE SINGER...", dedicated to a man who died falling off Egg Island. From the beautiful glass-stained windows to the old foot peddle organ, the history of the place is on show for all to see. Walking around, you feel a sense of calm wash over you.
Designated as a Grade I listed building, it's one of the 'Seven Wonders of St Helena'.
High Knoll Fort
Tower within High Knoll Fort that overlooks the settlement of Half Tree Hollow
High Knoll Fort, one of the 'Seven Wonders of St. Helena', can be found southwest of Jamestown and overlooks the most populated district of Half Tree Hollow. Up close, you begin to understand the solitude of the fort. Built at the top of a hill 584 metres above sea level as a second line of defence, it feels a world away from the friendly Jamestown just a few miles away. Sitting up there looking out to sea is a serene experience you just won't forget.
If you plan on making a visit, the sunset view from the top is spectacular.
Explore the history and culture of this unique place with our example 11-night Express St Helena Tour. To tailor-make something to your liking, get in touch with one of our Africa Travel Specialists.
4. Take a 4×4 Across the Island
Country road in the Levelwood district
Climbing into an all-terrain vehicle is the best way to familiarise yourself with St Helena Island when you first arrive. With your guide, explore some of St Helena's historic and natural highlights, including Deadwood Plain, Fisher's Valley and Flag Staff - offering the most stunning views over the island.
The crisp, fresh air cooly breezes across your face as you drive from site to site. Deadwood Plain was the camp site of the Boer prisoners of war during the Anglo Boer War while Flag Staff gives you panoramic views over the island. Visit Fisher's Valley, where Napoleon rode his horse during exile.
5. Visit the Millennium Forest
Endemic Gumwood forest overlooking the airport runway
St Helena Island is home to the Millennium Forest, a National Trust conservation project.
Originally a huge forest which was cleared when British settlers arrived, the landscape has since turned to semi-desert land. Now the goal is to restore the endemic trees that were originally found there.
Juvenile endemic ebony plants, the island’s national flower
Taking a walk in St Helena's vibrant green region is a tranquil experience, allowing you to see the important work being done. You can even plant your own tree! It’s an important site for the Saint Helena plover, the only endemic bird on the island that the Trust are currently helping to increase numbers of.
"The Millennium Forest National Trust is one of the most ecologically important conservation projects on the entire island. Their crucial long-term reforestation work will help the residing wildlife to thrive in their natural habitat for years to come." - Nikki Lynas, Africa Travel Specialist
Endemic Gumwood forest overlooking the airport runway
6. Navigate the 21 Post Box Walks
Views in Blue Hill, with the Post Box Walk – High Hill in the distance
St Helena Island has a network of 21 hikes, each varying in difficulty levels, but all ending with some form of post box with a guestbook to sign and stamp to collect.
Blue Point is an entry level hike and can be done in about 90 minutes. We recommend taking your time, enjoying the amazing landscapes, such as the habitat restoration area where endemic rosemary and scrubwood paints the area a healthy shade of green and white.
Country road in Blue Hill
Although the walk isn’t too difficult, some of the terrain can be quite steep and loose underfoot. During her experience, Nikki was offered hiking poles and found having one helpful for keeping her balance. At the end, gaze out towards the never-ending blues of the South Atlantic Ocean.
"Navigating the island’s 21 'Post Box Walks' is a truly memorable experience. These hiking routes end with a guestbook to sign and a stamp to collect as a parting souvenir. Or you can hop on an e-bike and enjoy a guided exploration of the rolling landscapes." - Nikki Lynas, Africa Travel Specialist
Nikki during her Blue Point Post Box Walk
7. Experience an E-Bike Tour
Nikki on an e-bike tour in the countryside
The island is simply beautiful, so exploring it by bike is an amazing way to see it in all its splendour. However, please be aware that the bikes are all one size - fairly large and heavy. Nikki's guide, Martin, was patient and supportive as she struggled to pedal and manage the bike. All-in-all, though, it was an incredible experience.
The tours are a hobby for Martin as his day job is Minister for Health! He told Nikki all about the island, the way of life and day-to-day issues they're facing. It was an enjoyable afternoon with Martin, something which active people would very much enjoy, providing the right bike is available.
8. Go Birdwatching
Java sparrow
The island is home to 400 endemic invertebrate species and a huge diversity of plant life; here wildlife experiences abound. Due to its remote location, St Helena Island offers visitors the opportunity to spot a brilliant array of rare birds such as the St Helena plover (wirebird), fairy tern and Java sparrow.
St Helena Plover
Endemic St Helena plover (wirebird)
St Helena plover (wirebird) is the national bird. They can be spotted in areas with grass swards less than 10cm tall such as in Prosperous Bay Plain, Deadwood Plain and Broad Bottom.
Fairy Tern
Fairy tern
Fairy tern is a local name for white tern, which balance precariously on a narrow rock ledge rather than on the branches of trees. They can be found all over the island, from Napoleon's tomb to Jamestown.
Java Sparrow
Java sparrow
The colourful Java sparrow is a small, social bird with a strong beak. They inhabit the low rocky lands on the northern side of the island, frequently found hopping about joyfully in pairs.
Explore this wild and remote island with our example 11-night Discover St Helena Tour. To tailor-make something to your liking, get in touch with one of our Africa Travel Specialists.
9. Taste Local Coffee at Wranghams
View from Wranghams in Sandy Bay
Wranghams is a small, family run coffee farm.
During your visit, you'll be given an overview of the coffee production process from the growth of the plants to the final roasted beans - which you also get to taste!
Coffee Farm owner, Neil
Saint Helena Island coffee is one of the most expensive to buy outside of the island, but Nikki was able to buy a fresh bag for just £10 while there. Even as a non-coffee drinker, she enjoyed learning about the process and could have happily spent days there sitting in the garden and listening to sounds of nature - or enjoying the stunning views towards Diana's Peak National Park.
10. Meet the Friendly Locals
Picking local St Helena Coffee berries
The residents of St Helena Island are well-known for their friendliness. An estimated 4,439 people live here, the majority Anglicans who speak English as their only language. During your trip, you can have dinner with one of the local families, sampling their cuisine and learning about their life on the island.
You can have dinner with one of the locals at their home in Jamestown
Local islanders are UK citizens of mixed origins. So, you'll feel right at home when visiting. For an insight into their vibrant, welcoming nature, why not get involved with social life through the food and culture?
"I’ve travelled a lot, and the people of St Helena are probably the friendliest and most welcoming of anywhere I’ve been. I felt like a friend rather than a visitor. St Helena very much feels off-the-beaten-track, with rugged scenery unspoilt by tourism." - Nikki Lynas, Africa Travel Specialist
Nikki captured this magnificent photo during her trip to St Helena
Experience St Helena with Rainbow
By clicking on the enquire button or calling us on 0208 131 4527, we can help tailor-make your trip to St Helena Island. Our Travel Specialists specialise in destinations they know inside out, many having deeply been immersed there for years, so they can curate transformative travel experiences.
