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Saint Helena landscape with ocean behind, Saint Helena

Saint Helena Holidays

Remote, remarkable and resplendent: an island teeming with unique moments.

Long accessible only by sea, the forgotten isle of Saint Helena finally opened its airport in 2017. Now, only a flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town is all that separates Saint Helena island from mainland Africa. Rough five-day voyages are a thing of the past.

This sun-soaked island surrounded by crystal clear ocean, and rich with volcanic landscapes and the whisperings of Napoleon’s ill-fated exile, is both beautiful and fascinating. Amongst the spectacular landscapes, an incredible ecosystem flourishes. The colourful soils harbour numerous endemic and endangered species. Of the 60 native plant species found on Saint Helena, 40 are unique to the island. As well as its plant life, the island is also renowned for its birdlife, with endemic species filling the skies. Meanwhile, the seas that crash against the volcanic sand beaches and weather-carved cliffs are home to visiting whale sharks and dolphins creating unparalleled opportunities for both snorkellers and divers.

Island landscape, Saint Helena — Saint Helena

What to expect on your Saint Helena holiday

Rugged and mountainous, this small island erupts from the warm waters of the Atlantic. Unspoiled landscapes decorate the volcanic terrain, offering fantastic walking opportunities and an intriguing natural history. Away from the hills, the capital, Jamestown, has the atmosphere of an English country village, featuring a mix of colonial and Georgian architecture.

Napoleon Residence, Longwood House, Saint Helena — Napoleon's former house, Saint Helena

A little more about Saint Helena

A short, but intriguing history is the backdrop to this natural beauty. Uninhabited until discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, the island made its name as an important stopover for ships on transatlantic voyages. Later, it became better known as a place at the very end of the Earth – ideally suited for exiling one’s enemies. The most famous amongst these was Napoleon Bonaparte. His six-year exile still fascinates modern-day visitors, with his residence, Longwood House, now a museum. The island also played host to unfortunate Boer prisoners and a troublesome Zulu king.

Explore Saint Helena

Diana's Peak
Longwood House
High Knoll Fort

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St Helena

St Helena – Ramble in the Remote

Explore the volcanic island of St Helena on foot, following rugged coastal paths. Pass landmarks that whisper of Napoleon’s exile and end your journey with sundowners in the harbour, on a secluded beach, or cliff-top vantage point. St Helena’s ‘Post Box Walks’ will satisfy both the casual walker and intrepid hiker. This series of trails showcases the island’s diversity. Could you complete them all?

Jacob’s Ladder

Squeezed into a steep sided valley that opens out into small cove, the capital of Saint Helena, Jamestown, finds itself sandwiched between sheer volcanic cliffs. Ascend the 699 steps of Jacob’s Ladder, one of the town’s remarkable features, to reach the top of nearby Ladder Hill for spectacular panoramic views.

Whale shark in waters off the coast of Utila, Honduras

Marine Encounters

Cruise along Saint Helena’s impressive coastline in search of pantropical spotted and bottle-nose dolphins. You may even have the opportunity to swim with whale sharks.

St Helena

Swim with whale sharks

Limited human pressure on the waters around St Helena means the marine biodiversity is in outstanding condition. The island has a narrow continental shelf which encourages whale sharks to swim close to the shore. This allows for exceptional snorkelling encounters, operated by our partners who are accredited by the St Helena government. Swim with whale sharks in the crystal clear waters of St Helena Bay.

Read about Giles' experience in St Helena

High Knoll Fort

Visit the 19^th-century High Knoll Fort, whose fortifications have long defended the island.

Napoleon’s Exile

Visit Napoleon’s tomb and former home, now empty, after his remains were repatriated to France.

Forest Walks

Walk through ancient tree ferns and black cabbage trees towards the barren grasslands in search of the endemic burrow-dwelling wirebird.

Blog

"Call me Ishmael"

The sun is fierce, the air breathlessly warm, the view is unblighted by haze. Clouds have become a memory. Everything is clear: the horizon, the sky (as always, untarnished by vapour trails) and the sea beneath me. The sea especially; and, where I had expected a grey and foreboding opaque, I am met by a bottomless aquarium aquamarine and infinite pellucidity; and calm; unbelievable, dreamy, soporific, salty calm and, apart from our boat chugging delicately beneath the impregnable cliffs that skirt this island, a gentle breeze provides the only movement.

Napolean's writing desk, Longford House, St Helena

Blog

Napoleon's Tears

Alexander of Macedon; The Great (the T, of course, capitalised); the warrior; the boy general; the traveller, has long been a fascination of mine: my brother was named for him and, in turn, my son for he; a man who lived a life so vast it beggars both language and film. Napoleon was also a fan and, sitting here, quite impossibly, at his writing desk, in his study at Longwood House, St. Helena, gazing through his window at his small, but lovely garden, at the banks of flowers and at the well hoed vegetable patch, I wonder if he too did weep; his empire, his field of influence, reduced to a few square metres; his fame swept far, far away, his energy spent and his ambition reduced to nought; his homely, but exquisite vista the property of his captors, an ironic, gifted comfort.

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Illona Cross

Before joining Steppes Travel over 25 years ago, I spent a decade working as a ranger, guide and lodge manager across Southern and East Africa. It’s also deeply personal place for me: I got married in Africa, honeymooned in Africa and still return every year with my family – proof that my love for the continent runs far deeper than just professional experience.

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