A famously remote island has now made visiting much easier for tourists, who no longer need a total of five nights to travel there. The island, known to have been home to Napoleon during his exile, is situated in the South Atlantic Ocean and is not a popular destination for jet setters because it is the world’s most isolated place to live. That being said, British explorers may be surprised and pleased to know visitors can still use their pounds as currency when there.
Previously, St Helena, a small British territory, would have taken five nights by boat to get to; however, in 2017, weekly flights became available to the public, and a recent addition of fast internet service allowed its Government to encourage the development of its tourism industry. Located approximately halfway between southern Africa and Brazil, the island recently counted 2,100 travellers in 2023.
Home to just over 4,000 locals named Saints, St Helena is a haven for one type of visitor. Emma Philips, wife to the island’s governor Nigel, shared: “It’s people with a real desire to travel and learn rather than [those that are more likely to say] “let’s go somewhere to have a bit of sunshine and some nice food”,” reports The Independent.
With unpredictable weather and occasional inconsistency with supply levels, the island is 1,200 miles from the nearest continent. However, it offers rich culture and real interaction with residents, promising an immersive visit far from holiday resorts. Emma went on: “You’ve got to be prepared to embrace all of that,” referring to the welcoming Saints, dense history, and natural wildlife. Her advice? “Come with an open mind,” she says.
Most famous for its role as ‘prison’ to Napoleon Bonaparte, who was exiled from 1815 to 1821, the year of his death, St Helena boasts many heritage sites linked to the French leader. With available tours of his homes, historians can visit the original grounds where he was buried before his remains were returned to France in 1840.
Its capital, Jamestown, like most cities, is a blend of new and old buildings, featuring British Georgian-era colonial houses, small retail and grocery stores, and even a few DVD rentals still around since before the introduction of high-speed internet. Hikers can climb Jacob’s Ladder, a 600-foot outdoor staircase made up of 699 steps on the edge of town. Initially, a donkey-powered cart track, the ladder was a method to transport goods from the city to the cliffs above.
Plantation House, found just two miles south of the capital, is a remnant of the British East India Company and built in 1792. Now the home to St Helena’s governor, the home is full of portraits, original furniture and an antique chandelier taken from Napoleon’s home.
Not only a historic landmark for the French ruler, the house is also home to a blind Jonathan, the “enigmatic tortoise,” says caretaker Teeny Lucy. Caring for the infamous animal for over a decade, Teeny claims: “If you come to St Helena, people usually know two things: Jonathan the tortoise and Napoleon Bonaparte”.
What you need to know
St Helena offers no ATMs and credit cards are regularly not accepted. With a local bank run on limited hours, make sure to bring enough pounds (GBP) to both cover your stay and the £20 entry fee. An app alternative is the St Helena Bank’s prepaid Tourist Card app which allows the download of debit cards and is an acceptable payment method across the island.
A weekly Airlink can be boarded from Johannesburg, however mid-week flight often accompany the summer period between December to March. This flight will require proof of medical insurance covering at least £175,000 to board.
Accommodation can range from simple homes to boutique hotels, such as the boutique Mantis St Helena, which offers 30 rooms and complimentary, reliable internet.