10 Reasons to Visit the Exotic Island of St. Helena
In the South Atlantic lies the remote island of St. Helena. A world of elusive sea life and home of Napoleon’s last days, learn what St. Helena has to offer.
Travelling somewhere new can enrich your body, mind and soul. Travelling can improve your health, help you relax, and be a way to build those treasured memories with your family and friends. You never know what you're going to see or experience when you go somewhere new, and that's what makes it all so memorable.
The next time you're planning a trip and need some destination inspiration, you should consider visiting St. Helena. St. Helena is a remote island in the South Atlantic - unblemished by the pressures of mass tourism. It has something for everyone, which makes it one of the best vacation spots.
It doesn't matter if you're travelling with your family, friends, or just your significant other. The island of St. Helena is the perfect place for the trip you always dreamed of.
Below, we're sharing 10 reasons why you should visit the island of St. Helena. Read on to learn more, and start planning your dream island vacation today.
1. The Hiking can't be Beaten
The whole point of an island vacation is to spend time outdoors, and St. Helena Island is the perfect place to do just that. Book a local hiking guide to take you to such breathtaking destinations as Lot's Wife Ponds on a hike that takes you through dramatic landscapes to lava pit swimming holes.
Or, if stunning green island views are what you're after, take the hike to the summit of Diana's Peak. Once you reach the top, you'll be able to see all of the island of St Helena stretched out below you.
2. You Can Feel the Long Arm of History
Visiting St. Helena is an opportunity to engage with one of the most noteworthy figures in history. Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to St. Helena in 1815 and died there in 1821. Curious visitors can spend an afternoon walking through the house where he lived and died.
Napoleon's Tomb is another popular spot on St. Helena that is worth a visit. Though Napoleon's body was eventually buried in Paris, for the first 19 years after his death, he was buried in St. Helena. A visit to his tomb is a walk back through the years and an important historical lesson.
3. Immerse Yourself in St Helena's Marine Life
St Helena's whale shark population is one of the best reasons to travel to the island from January to March. Snorkelling with them is a must! The rare aggregation of males and females in the waters around St Helena ensures they are of international scientific interest. humpback whales (June to December), dolphins and turtles are also common sights for watchful visitors.
To really get a close up look, you should book a tour or arrange for a snorkelling trip. You can never imagine the breathtaking beauty of these sea creatures until you see them up close. There are plenty of opportunities to do just that on St. Helena.
4. Be Charmed by the People
Even when you're on vacation, you still want to feel like you have a home away from home. Saints (as the locals are called) will ensure the warmest of welcomes with their kindness, wry humour and tales of old.
5. You'll Be Able to Visit Plantation House
No visit to St. Helena would be complete without a stop at Plantation House, which is the home of the Governor of St. Helena - the Queen's representative on-island. Tours of the house and the grounds are available to visitors twice a week.
Of all the things you'll encounter when visiting Plantation House, perhaps the most famous is Jonathan the Tortoise. He's more than 180 years old, making him one of the oldest animals on the planet, and certainly the most beloved on the island of St Helena - second only to the mythical monkcat!? (Ask any Saint about it. You won't be disappointed!)
6. Every Meal Features Incredible Food
The island of St. Helena enjoys culinary influence from both Europe and increasingly, South Africa, which means that tourists on the island are guaranteed to eat well. The most popular dishes on the island include plo, fish cakes and curry. A traditional British Sunday roast can also be found.
Locally caught fish include tuna, wahoo, and big-eye, and fish is often mixed with different spices. When it comes to dessert, the island shines there as well. Popular treats include coconut fingers and pumpkin pudding.
7. Bird Watchers will Be Right at Home
St. Helena tourism offers an unbeatable experience for both avid and casual bird watchers. The island takes conservation seriously, which means there's an impressive diversity of bird life for visitors to enjoy.
Explore by land on a coastal walk or head out on a boat offshore. You may be able to see a wirebird (the island's national bird) and other species including the native moorhen, naturalised songbirds and fairy terns, as well as colonies of noddies, boobies, and petrels.
8. Play Golf on a Course Unlike Any Other
There are impressive golf courses all over the world, but there's no other like the course at St. Helena Golf Club. The ground conditions provide golfers of all abilities a challenge, and you may run into as much wildlife on the course as you would anywhere else on the island.
Even those who aren't golf-savvy can enjoy a trip to the Clubhouse, which makes it a perfect addition to any trip.
9. You Can Leave a Bit of Yourself Behind
If you're visiting St Helena with your kids, you should make time to embark on a kid-friendly Post Box Walk. In general Post Box Walks are rated according to a range of difficulty. So there's something for everyone. You'll find them far more exotic than your average hike through the woods!
At the end of each Post Box trail, there is a stamp for you to collect and share with your friends at home as evidence of how intrepid you are! Kids (both small and big) will have fun participating in the stamp collecting too.
10. Sip Island-Distilled Drinks
No vacation is complete without a cheeky little tipple!? St. Helena features one of the most remote distilleries in the world, where you can sip on rum, gin, and more. Raise a glass to the most incredible vacation at this must-visit St. Helena spot.
Ready to Visit the Island of St. Helena?
When you plan a vacation, you want it to be unique and special and an experience you'll never forget. When you visit the island of St. Helena, that's exactly the kind of vacation you'll get.
For more information on staying on St. Helena, please contact us at any time. We will help you plan your entire itinerary with the attention to detail which sets us apart.