Diving on Saint Helena

Clear, warm waters, wrecks and fascinating marine life make Saint Helena Island an enticing snorkelling and scuba diving destination. Dive site habitats vary from rocky reefs with caves and areas of boulders to cobbles and sand, all teeming with marine life and all within easy reach of the wharf in Jamestown. The wrecks dotted around the coast present popular dive and snorkelling sites.

Thanks to the island’s remoteness, there is little pollution. Between November and April, visibility can reach 40 metres.

St Helena is the best place in the world to encounter whale sharks. The waters around the island are thought to be key to their reproduction in the Atlantic and central to the life cycle of the whale shark species.  Between January and March, the warm waters create plankton blooms that draw whale sharks to the island.  Whale sharks, despite the name. are gentle creatures and in season (from January to March), you may be able to swim alongside them.  Recent annual visits have recorded up to 30 each more than 10 metres long and weighing more than 20 tonnes.

Two local marine operators offer a highly professional snorkelling/diving encounter with these gentle giants. But this is not guaranteed!

Other fish seen on Saint Helena dives

Fish species such as the bastard five-finger, deep-water jack and St. Helena dragonet are all examples of the island’s unique marine life, with 14% of the marine species being endemic. Manta rays often school here, sometimes in vast numbers. You may also see green and hawksbill turtles.

At other times, you may be able to see pods of dolphins or Humpback whales (between June and October).

Contact us for a Quote & proposal

Contact us for our 7 night Sample Tour with Diving (2-3 dives during the week).