Saint Helena
A speck in the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s not hard to argue; St Helena must be a leading contender for the most secluded land in the world. The isolation feeds an eccentric charm enjoyed by tourists both young and old. Known as the place of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile and final years, there’s plenty to appreciate on and around this friendly and hospitable island. Many trekking routes take visitors through the beautiful landscape, and the surrounding waters are full of opportunities to encounter sea life in its natural environment. You may hear St Helena going by a second name - the Galapagos of the South Atlantic. There’s good reason, 14 million years of isolation have allowed the environment to flourish, here you’ll meet over 500 species of native flora and fauna.
Recently, the island became a little more accessible. Two years ago, the only way of reaching St. Helena was by boat from South Africa. A five-day journey and over 3000km. Now, with the construction of the island’s airport, a few hours of comfortable flying is all it takes! On arrival, the sight of cars and houses from a bygone era may have you thinking you’ve gone back in time. Life here has changed little over the decades. Its influences are more to do with the weather than the comings and goings of the world!
The island, lying in the tropics, measures 10 km wide and 17 km long. However, its landscape is far from the stereotypical tropical paradise of white sandy beaches and palm trees. As a volcanic formation, it’s characterised by a mostly high and rocky coastline. Jamestown, the only city on the island, is squeezed in a deep narrow gorge that runs down to the ocean - the only place accessible to ships.
The Portuguese first discovered the island in the 16th century. Nevertheless, it was in 1657 on behalf of the British Crown that Oliver Cromwell granted the East India Company a charter to govern the island. At this point, the island developed quickly. Its ports welcomed over 1,000 ships annually as they made their way to India and Oceania. However, St. Helena’s seafaring importance reduced dramatically when the Suez Canal opened in 1869. Ships took the shorter route, and the island’s fate was sealed. The return to isolation had the effect of somewhat preserving the state of the island. This bygone era is joyfully evident to visitors.
The surrounding waters are teeming with incredible marine life. Herds of adult whale sharks are attracted to the local waters, usually arriving between January and April every year. The coast becomes a paradise for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts alike!
From July to November is whale season. Mothers protect their young in the calm waters, preparing them for the dangers of the open ocean. Of course, we shouldn’t forget to mention the dolphin watching trips that often take place throughout the year!
Saint Helena’s unique environment offers a wealth of options for divers. There’s also plenty to experience between dives. Bird lovers can explore some of the smaller surrounding islands where large flocks of seabirds live and nest.
There is no industry on the island and hence no pollution. The clear starry skies allowed Edmond Halley and his telescope to create the first map of the stars!
The north-west coast of the island is the most sheltered. Here the Atlantic Ocean currents are slight, and it’s where most diving takes place. Long shallow reefs at 10 to 20 metres are home to a plethora of fish. There are also several superb wrecks and caverns to explore. Macro photographers will also be pleased with what’s on offer! The marine life, in general, is incredible, both above and below water. If you’re new to diving or want to develop your skills, then St. Helena is ideal.
Wrecks
Near our Jamestown base, some great wrecks are waiting. These include the historic White Lion, the Darkdale and the Papanui. The Dutch cargo ship, the White Lion, was sunk by the Portuguese in 1613. Its wooden hull rotted away long ago, but you can still see the old canons, ballast stones and anchor. Nearby in Jamestown Bay, lies the Darkdale. An auxiliary tanker of the Royal Fleet. It was torpedoed during World War II by a German submarine and lies almost intact at 30-43 metres. Undoubtedly one of the best wreck dives in the world is the Papanui. It rests close to shore at 6-12 metres and makes for a spectacular night dive (especially if you like little critters!)
Witte Leeuw or White Lion is the most famous wreck lying in the island’s waters. It was blown up and sunk in 1613, so as not to fall into the hands of the Portuguese! The valuable cargo, including over 1,300 diamonds, was strewn over the seabed…
After the British Crown took over, they used St. Helena for the imprisonment of several high-profile characters, Napoleon being the most well known. Others included the Prince of Dinizulu and Sultan of Zanzibar. Almost 5,000 prisoners of the second Boer war were also housed here (you’ll find the names of some of them in the Boer Cemetery.) Napoleon Bonaparte’s status as the island’s most famous resident is marked by an unnamed and empty grave (his body was repatriated to France). He spent the last five years of his life on the island sipping sweet wine and writing his military memoirs. You may be surprised to know that the Napoleonic buildings are under the care and administration of the French government - a little piece of France on this British island!
Our accommodation and diving base
The lovely family-run Blue Lantern hotel is located in the heart of Jamestown, just a three-minute walk from the sea. It offers accommodation with breakfast. The rooms are either single or double, all equipped with a private bathroom.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – An evening flight to the Middle East and then on to Johannesburg in South Africa.
Day 2 – An afternoon touchdown in Johannesburg. Transfer to our hotel near the airport for rest.
Day 3 – Morning flight to Saint Helena, touching down in the afternoon. Transfer to our hotel and then time to relax in a local pub!
Day 4 – Diving and exploring the island.
Day 5 – Diving and snorkelling with whale sharks.
Day 6 – Diving plus an optional night dive.
Day 7 – Diving and snorkelling with whale sharks.
Day 8 – A tour of the island following in the footsteps of Napoleon.
Day 9 – Another trip around the island. This time we visit places where the views are raw and breathtaking! Don’t forget your camera!
Day 10 – Around noon, we fly back to Johannesburg. Touchdown in the late evening before transferring to our nearby hotel.
Day 11 – Breakfast, then transfer to the airport for our departure to Poland.
Day 12 – Early morning touchdown in Warsaw.
End of trip.
PRICE PER PERSON: EUR 2350 + flights
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