Overview
About Saint Helena
Saint Helena is one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth, a volcanic speck adrift in the vast South Atlantic Ocean, roughly 1,200 miles from the nearest landmass. Its dramatic cliffs, lush interior valleys, and Georgian-era architecture create a landscape that feels frozen in time — a place where Napoleon spent his final years in exile and where the rhythms of daily life remain unhurried and deeply connected to the sea. The island’s charm lies in its profound isolation, which has preserved a culture of warmth, self-reliance, and quiet dignity that visitors find utterly disarming.
Beyond its storied past, Saint Helena offers a world of discovery for the intrepid traveler. The island’s cloud forests shelter endemic species found nowhere else on the planet, while its surrounding waters teem with whale sharks, dolphins, and humpback whales. The opening of the island’s first airport in 2016 has made this once-inaccessible paradise reachable without the legendary five-day sea voyage, yet it retains the soul of a place that time and the modern world have largely overlooked. For those who make the journey, Saint Helena delivers an experience of rare authenticity — a destination that rewards curiosity with genuine wonder.
What to see & do
Top attractions
Longwood House
Longwood House stands as the poignant centerpiece of Saint Helena’s Napoleonic legacy, where the exiled Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final years under British custody.Originally constructed as a modest farm- residence belonging to the East India Company, it was expanded grudgingly for Napoleon’s use in 1815, yet remained plagued by damp, cramped quarters, and what he deemed deliberate indignities. Today, managed by the French government as a museum on British soil, the property offers an intimate and haunting encounter with Napoleon’s daily reality—his sparse bedrooms, the salon where he dictated his memoirs, and the garden where he paced restlessly under enforced leisure. The layered restoration reveals both the austere rooms Napoleon inhabited and the later grandeur of The New Longwood, built in anticipation of his remains’ return to France. With original furnishings, personal effects, and period paintings, Longwood House immerses visitors in the psychological atmosphere of a fallen emperor’s last chapter.
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Napoleon’s Tomb
Napoleon’s Tomb in the tranquil Valley of the Geraniums—also known as the Valley of the Tomb or Sane Valley—is one of Saint Helena’s most emotionally charged and evocative sites. Surrounded by towering Norfolk pines, whispering whispers of casuarina trees, and fragrant geraniums, the simple yet dignified enclosure marks where the Emperor’s remains rested in the soil of Saint Helena after his death in 1821, before being repatriated to France in 1840. Today, the open, flower-fringed lawn and stone steps descending to the empty vault evoke a profound sense of loss and historical weight, a place where “the heart of a man who never surrendered his dreams” once lay. The intimate scale of the tomb complex, now under French stewardship, contrasts sharply with the grandeur of Les Invalides in Paris yet carries an equally resonant pilgrim gravity for Napoleonic enthusiasts and history devotées alike. The site’s serene microclimate and lush vegetation offer a poetic backdrop that seemingly honors the fallen emperor.
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Broad Bottom Oak and Heart-Shaped Waterfall
On the wild windward side of the island, where St. Helena’s central peaks intercept the South Atlantic’s moisture-laden trade winds, the landscape plunges into a steep amphitheater of ferns and ancient trees. Within this primordial scene rises the gnarled silhouette of the famous ‘Broad Bottom Oak’, a tree so contorted by decades of unidirectional wind that it appears frozen mid-dive toward the valley floor. Just meters below, a slender cascade threads over a mossy lip and assumes an almost uncanny heart shape—no coincidence that St. Helena Tourism has embraced it as a symbol of the island’s romantic allure. The surrounding cloud-forest, drenched in mist for much of the year, is a refuge for St Helena’s endemic flora, including the island’s iconic treescales and salad plant. For the determined hiker who leaves the tarmac behind, Broad Bottom delivers a rare sense of true isolation, entwined with fable and terrain seldom seen by the majority of visitors who never venture beyond Longwood.
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Diana’s Peak National Park
Diana’s Peak National Park crowns the highest point of Saint Helena at 818 meters (2,684 feet), a misty highland sanctuary that feels worlds away from the island’s semi-arid coastal cliffs. Established as a conservation area in 1996, the park protects one of the last remnants of the island’s native cloud forest—where gnarled tree ferns, filmy ferns, and the endemic cabbage trees (insular dendroseris) cling to life amid swirling fog and trade winds. A network of well-maintained trails leads through this almost primordial landscape, where moss-draped trunks and spongy, rich soil dampen footsteps and the only sounds are birdsong and rustling leaves. From the summit lookout, on clear days, you can gaze down over Jamestown and out across the Atlantic, while nearby the Governor’s Dairy and old water catchments recall colonial-era engineering. For ecologists, birdwatchers, and hikers alike, Diana’s Peak is an outstanding example of island conservation, home to critically endangered species like the Saint Helena plover (wirebird) and endemic invertebrates found nowhere else on Earth.
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Jacob’s Ladder Forts and Head-Kendal’s Valley
The Jacob’s Ladder Forts and neighboring Head-Kendal’s Valley form a compelling intersection on Saint Helena where military history and rugged island scenery converge. Perched above and around the celebrated staircase, the remains of cliff-edge fortifications once protected the ladder route and Jamestown from potential attack. Nearby, Head-Kendal’s Valley—named for a lost estate owner—unfolds as a dramatic, vegetated ravine where traces of old agricultural terraces and stone walls hint at earlier settlement and farming efforts in the highlands. While less visited and less restored than other Napoleonic sites, this area rewards the curious with quieter paths, atmospheric glimpses of overgrown military positions, and vistas out over the sea approach to Jamestown. It’s a haunt for those who enjoy combining physical exploration with archival knowledge, piecing together the island’s layered defensive strategies.
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St. James’ Church
Rising from the rugged Jamestown Gorge, St. James’ Church is the oldest surviving Anglican church south of the Equator and the beating spiritual heart of Saint Helena. Built in 1772 and meticulously restored after two centuries of relentless South Atlantic weather, it stands as a delicate white-walled jewel at the end of the famous ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ staircase. The air inside is thick with East India Company history; plaques on the walls commemorate governors, soldiers and travelers from another age, while the light streaming through simple Georgian windows paints the dark volcanic stone floor in soft geometric patterns. Standing in the nave, with the high cliffs towering on three sides and the open ocean glittering beyond the town, you understand why the islanders consider this little chapel unicum in the world. A visit is best combined with a stroll along Jamestown’s sheltered Main Street—precisely because the church, so modest yet so resonant, anchors this vertiginous seafront tapestry.
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Sandy Bay Beach
Tucked into Saint Helena’s windward coast, Sandy Bay is the island’s principal beach strip from which its name is drawn—though “sandy” here is a relative term in the context of a volcanic island. Dark volcanic sand and gravel fringe coves and rocky bays, backed by lush, steep-sided valleys that plunge toward the sea. The result is an irresistible playground for walkers, snorkelers, and solitude seekers, with a succession of bays offering varying degrees of shelter and scenic drama. In calm conditions, the water is surprisingly clear, allowing glimpses of reef fish and underwater rock formations. On rougher days, the Atlantic power crashing against the lava coastline makes for dramatic viewing. Sandy Bay exemplifies the island’s dual character: sheltered, verdant hillsides above, untamed ocean below.
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The Castle
At the apex of Jamestown’s narrow, gorge-side streetscape, The Castle is not a fairy-tale fortress but something arguably more fascinating: the administrative nerve-center of this remote British Overseas Territory since the late 17th century. Its lime-washed façade, flanked by gnarled Norfolk pines and framed by the island’s iconic half-ruined defensive ramparts, has played host to governors, garrisons and, most famously, the officials who guarded Napoleon during his first night on St. Helena before his journey to Longwood. Behind those modest public rooms lie layers of East India Company archives and 18th-century island documents—a historian’s dream but challenging to access without prior arrangement. The small Governor’s Garden, tucked behind, is a surprisingly lush micro-oasis of azaleas and geraniums thriving in a sheltered microclimate. For travelers, The Castle’s allure lies in the synthesis of real-world power, Napoleonic myth, and the sense of standing in one of the most isolated colonial headquarters on Earth.
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Briars Village
Nestled in the verdant folds just above Jamestown, Briars Village is synonymous with one of the island’s most intriguing Napoleonic footnotes. At the Briars Pavilion—a modest wooden structure originally the home of the Balcombe family—Napoleon Buonaparte spent his first weeks in exile while Longwood House was being prepared. Today, the restored pavilion is part of a larger estate that has been gracefully converted into one of St. Helena’s most charming residential enclaves. Lush, manicured gardens surround the cottage, filled with agapanthus, jacaranda and endemic St. Helena eyen, attracting clouds of endemic insects and the haunting whistle of the Wirebird. Wandering through the village’s leafy lanes, youare transported to a timeless quasi-Edwardian backwater far removed from the island’s volcanic drama to the south. The combination of Napoleonic nostalgia, horticulture and quiet countryside atmosphere makes Briars Village an easy detour from Jamestown for history-lovers and nature-watchers alike.
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High Knoll Fort
Crowning the hilltop above Half Tree Hollow, High Knoll Fort looms as Saint Helena’s sentinel, a Victorian-era stronghold whose imposing stone walls and restored bastions tell the story of the island’s strategic importance in the South Atlantic. Built and rebuilt between the 17th and 19th centuries, the fort offers a layered journey through military history, from its role in guarding against potential invaders to its later use as a signal station. The climb or drive up rewards visitors with sweeping 360-degree views: the vivid greens of Diana’s Peak, the terraces of town houses climbing Jamestown’s gorge, and the endless blue of the Atlantic beyond. Carefully restored ruins, period cannons, and interpretive panels create an atmospheric experience, blending military history, landscape photography, and quiet contemplation in one of the island’s most commanding settings.
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Logistics
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Best time to visit
Saint Helena enjoys a mild subtropical climate year-round, with temperatures hovering between 20°C and 27°C in the warmer months (January to April) and 15°C to 22°C during the cooler season (July to October). The period from January through March is considered peak season, offering the warmest seas for swimming and the best conditions for spotting whale sharks. Rainfall is generally light and sporadic, though the island’s elevated interior can be misty and cooler. There is no true rainy season, making Saint Helena a viable destination at any time of year, though flights and accommodation should be booked well in advance given the island’s limited capacity.
Getting there & around
Since the opening of Saint Helena Airport in 2016, the island has become accessible by air, with scheduled flights from Johannesburg and, intermittently, from other African hubs. On the island itself, there is no public bus network or rail system; the primary means of getting around is by rental car, pre-arranged taxi, or organized tour. The island’s road network is narrow and winding, carved into steep volcanic terrain, so a confident driving style is helpful. Many visitors opt for guided excursions to reach key sites such as Diana’s Peak, Napoleon’s tomb, and Lot’s Wife Ponds. Walking and hiking are popular, with well-marked trails traversing the island’s dramatic ridgelines and cloud forests.
Food & drink
Saint Helenian cuisine is a hearty blend of British colonial tradition and Creole influences, with fresh fish — particularly tuna, wahoo, and mackerel — taking center stage. Local specialties include “plo,” a one-pot spiced rice dish with fish or meat, and “coconut fingers,” sweet pastries that are a beloved island treat. The island produces its own coffee, widely regarded as some of the finest and rarest in the world, and Pilsner beer is brewed locally. Dining is casual and communal, with most meals enjoyed in small family-run restaurants and guesthouses. Visitors should not miss the Saturday market in Jamestown, where local produce, preserves, and baked goods are sold alongside handmade crafts.
Language & etiquette
English is the sole language spoken on Saint Helena, and the local population — known as “Saints” — are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality. Greetings are warm and unhurried; it is customary to exchange pleasantries and engage in small talk before getting to the matter at hand. The island has a strong sense of community, and visitors are often welcomed into local events and gatherings with genuine generosity. Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for exceptional service. Showing respect for the island’s heritage sites, asking permission before photographing private property, and supporting local businesses are all gestures that are warmly received.
Money
Currency & payments
The official currency is the Saint Helena Pound (SHP), which is pegged at parity with the British Pound Sterling (GBP). Sterling banknotes and coins are accepted interchangeably on the island. Credit and debit card acceptance is limited, and many smaller establishments, guesthouses, and market vendors operate on a cash-only basis. There is a single bank in Jamestown — the Bank of St. Helena — which offers basic foreign exchange and ATM services, though these can be unreliable. It is strongly advisable to carry sufficient cash in either SHP or GBP for the duration of your stay. Tipping is not customary but is a kind gesture for outstanding service.
Stay aware
Safety considerations
Saint Helena is an exceptionally safe destination with very low crime rates, and visitors can walk freely throughout the island without significant concern. The primary safety considerations are environmental: the island’s steep, winding roads demand careful driving, and hikers should be prepared for sudden weather changes at higher elevations, including mist and slippery trails. Medical facilities are limited to a small hospital in Jamestown, so travelers with pre-existing conditions should carry adequate medication and ensure comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. The surrounding ocean currents can be strong, so swimming should be confined to recommended bays and beaches.