St Helena tour
Outline of a 7 night fly-in tour to St Helena island. The island has so much to offer that we show a mix of excursions covering history, flora, marine exploration & walking.
Overview
Saint Helena, (or St Helena as it is also called), is one of the world’s most remote islands, situated above the Tropic of Capricorn, almost midway between Namibia and Brazil. This small island is big in opportunities for active exploration, boasting spectacular scenery that encapsulates a breath-taking range of habitats and landscapes. Below we outline a typical 7 night tour to St Helena. The island has so much to offer that we show a mix of excursions covering history, flora, marine exploration & walking.
St Helenian food reflects the many historical influences of the island including Portuguese, British, Southeast Asian, Malay, Chinese and African. However, over the generations Saint food has evolved into a number of dishes unique to the island.
Tailormake this tour!
It's important to note that we can change this tour to suit your interests. This is especially important if you are a keen diver or snorkeller. See below...
Diving - especially December to March
Most commonly we adapt it for keen divers to include two or three diving excursions during the week. Or we can adapt it to be more focusing on enjoying the outdoors with more walking and slightly less history. Here's an example of a digital itinerary with diving on St Helena
Saint Helena packs a lot into 120 square kilometres. From the clear Atlantic waters past sheer cliffs and stark rock formations. And through arid red desert dotted with cacti, rolling green fields and flax-covered hillsides, to a pinnacle of prehistoric cloud forest, So there is lot to interest nature lovers as well!
Notes:
- The exact tour price will depend on the nature of the excursions and the number of people. (It costs a little less per person for 4 people than 2 people as we show below). Typically we include touring on most days. We have taken out the evening meals but we show some of the options available. You can ask us to include some of them if you wish. Or you can ask the hotel to arrange it as you go, if you want greater flexibility.
- We use St Helena and Saint Helena inter-changeably as the island is officially called Saint Helena. But their own tourism board refers to St Helena. Go figure!
Single Supplement
We often get asked for this tour by single people. The costs for private touring for one person is naturally quite a bit more than the per person cost if you are 2 people. You should assume an approx 40% single supplement
Our Digital Itinerary
Use the scroll button to see the full itinerary.
Take the Airlink flight from Cape Town to Saint Helena via Walvis Bay.
On arrival at Jamestown Airport at approx 1.15pm you will be met and transferred to your hotel. On arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel, passing through some of the small villages en route. The volcanic nature of the island is immediately apparent in the rugged coastline scenery. After arrival at your hotel you will meet with Aarons Adventure tours for a brief of the weeks itinerary.
The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore a little of Jamestown at your leisure. Enjoy a walk through the islands capitol of Jamestown, discover the stories that this historically rich Georgian styled town has to offer. Visit the Castle with its tropical gardens, St James Church (the oldest Anglican Church in the Southern Hemisphere), the famous Jacob’s ladder which ascends 699 steps above the town and the Court House.
Jamestown is a tiny town of around 5,000 people, the descendants of the 16thC and later settlers and the slaves who worked for them. The active may like to start their stay in St Helena by climbing up Jacobs ladder’s 699 steps to get a birds-eye overview of Jamestown nestled seemingly in a rocky crevasse.Dinner is for your own account.
This morning, after breakfast, a highlight of the island awaits as you join your skipper for a boat cruise off the island. Home to huge schools of Pan-Tropical, Bottle-Nose and Rough-Toothed dolphins, as well as turtles, Devil Rays and Whale Sharks (in season January – March), the deep blue waters are teeming with life. The tour gives you a scenic view of St Helena’s coastline and allows you to view a few of the old fortifications and outposts that still stand.
This side of the island also has a number of nesting sites for marine bird colonies. At other times, you may be able to see pods of dolphins or Humpback whales (between June and October).
Return to port for lunch at the coffee shop on the seafront (for your own account).
The afternoon is at leisure. You could do the short easy hike to Mundens overlooking Jamestown if you wish to be active. There are longer walks available if you prefer.
Evening Suggestion (for your own account): Eat at the hotel or sample one of the local restaurants such as Anne’s Restaurant or Rosie’s Bar. (For your own account.)
After breakfast you are collected for a full day tour, and an orientation of the island by 4×4. Stop at Deadwood Plain which was the camp site of Boer prisoners of war during the Anglo Boer War of 1900-1902 then to Flagg Staff which gives you wonderful panoramic views across the island. You will visit Levelwood, home to the Bell Stone – a rock which when struck rings like a bell. Wind your way to the southwest point of the island for incredible views over the Atlantic Ocean, which stretches unbroken for 2700 kilometers in every direction. Learn about and see the islands natural and historical attractions along the way.
The landscape of St Helena includes steep, multi-coloured ridges, bronze volcanic rock, golden beaches and lush vegetation. You’ll learn about the history of the island including the Boer prisoners of war, the Dutch East India company and the Slave legacy. You enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot.
Evening Suggestion (for your own account): Braai
You may like to enjoy a traditional braai with your guide where you can meet some local people and find out what it is like to live on such a remote island as St Helena.
This morning enjoy a private tour of the Governor’s residence, Plantation House, built in 1792. Enjoy tea and cake in the library.. And meet perhaps an even more famous inhabitant, Jonathan the tortoise, a 191-year-old giant tortoise who lives on the grounds and is the world’s oldest living animal.
After Lunch (for your own account) visit St Paul’s Cathedral, High Knoll Fort and the Boer War cemetery before returning to the hotel.
Evening Suggestion (for your own account): Making Fishcakes
Be taught to make local fishcakes or simply relax and watch. Rounded off with an early dinner eating the fruits of your labour! (Not included at this stage)
Today is at leisure to explore at your own pace.
Highly recommended is the well-curated Museum of St Helena, just a few minutes from the hotel. The museum gives you the opportunity to explore more than 500 years of the islands history in the one place. It also has artefacts from the number of wrecks that dot the coastline over the last 500 years.
Enjoy a swim in the Atlantic – or in the public swimming pool that sits near the harbour and is a great place to meet local islanders
There are a variety of excursions we can arrange if you like to keep active:
- Shipwreck snorkel. Experience a dazzling array of marine life on the wreck of the Papanui in James Bay. All equipment is provided.
- If you are into diving, we can arrange a diving excursion.
- There are also several optional walks to enjoy. See Day 6 for some suggestions.
- Enjoy 9 holes of golf on the “world’s most remote golf course”
- Enjoy a morning of learning some local crafts such as lace-making or flax weaving
- Enjoy a Military history tour – of the island which includes the East India Company, Boer Prisoners and also the Salve Legacy.
Evening Suggestion (for your own account): Sundowners and dinner at Rosie’s Restaurant and Bar.
This morning set off for a hike to Blue Point which offers coastal views over Sandy Bay beach and Lots Wife ponds area as well as the rolling countryside of Blue Hill. Enjoy a packed lunch whilst out hiking.
Alternative Hikes:
You could hike up Diana’s Peak. The peak is the highest point on St Helena at 823 metres above sea level and is home to exotic flora and fauna. Alternatively, you can hike to the Heart-shaped Waterfall. The Heart shaped Waterfall is at its most prolific during the winter months, but is a very outstanding landmark and offers a gentle hike along a well maintained path to the spectacular rock face.
In the afternoon you enjoy a tour of a coffee plantation to follow the process of roasting the 200 year old Arabica bean, one of the World’s most sought after coffees. (You could add on a visit the nearby St Helena Distillery – Try & buy Tungi Spirit, Midnight Mist coffee liqueur, White Lion rum or some of the locally made wine or brandy.)
Alternatives to Walking:
Note that we can swap out hiking for some alternative activitiesPerhaps a Conservation Tour which includes the endemic Wirebird and tree-planting at the Millenium Forest. Or a Bird-watching Tour?
Evening Suggestion (for your own account): Dinner, perhaps with wine-pairing at St Helena Hotel, or a more casual affair at Betrands Cottage.
Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to St Helena in 1815 and died on the island 6 years later. This morning we visit all three Napoleonic sites owned by the French government, including Longwood House, where he lived and died. It is one of the best Napoleonic museums in the world, with original furniture and over 900 artefacts.
After lunch, you can plant an endemic tree within the Millennium forest .
You return to Jamestown via Ladder Hill. If you are not planning to walk up the steps on the final morning, then you can choose to walk down the 699 steps of Jacob’s Ladder.
Friday night in Jamestown – late afternoon and evening
Jamestown on a Friday afternoon ensures that you see one of the islands busiest days. Everyone is preparing for the weekend, and you will get the chance to mingle and chat and learn a little about the history of the town which is the seat of the Government, is home to the oldest Anglican Church in the southern hemisphere and the hub of the islands social life. Walk around the town, stopping and meeting the locals over a beer.
Enjoy dinner in town or back at the hotel (for your own account). Then you may like to sample a drink or two at either Donny’s Bar or Mule Yard.
Why not climb Jacob’s ladder in the cool of the morning, if you havent done it already. Voted the top wonder of St Helena – Jacobs Ladder was built in 1829 as an inclined plane to connect Jamestown to the Garrison at Ladder Hill. It stretches 900 feet high and is an intriguing 699 steps to reach the top. Its perfect for a final morning climb, to be rewarded with a panoramic view over Jamestown, followed by a well-deserved breakfast.
After breakfast you can spend some time exploring the Museum, shopping for some crafts or souvenirs, or enjoying St Helena coffee on the seafront. The Jamestown museum gives you the opportunity to explore more than 500 years of the islands history in the one place. Their gift shop is a great place to pick up your souvenirs.
Transfer to the airport at 11.30-12 noon for the afternoon flight back to South Africa at 2.15pm.
An idea of price
This tour below shows indicative pricing and includes the return flight from Cape Town (South Africa) or Walvis Bay in Namibia. This flight is subject to change hence the price is indicative only.
INCLUDES
Flights from South Africa, Meals as specified (Full Board unless you specify otherwise), transfers and tours as described with all entrance fees included.
Jan 2025 - Mar 2025 If 2 people
PP SHARING
FROM ₤ 2,975
Jan 2025 - Mar 2025 If 4 people
If 4 people travelling, the touring costs are lower
PP SHARING
FROM ₤ 2,685
Apr 2025 - Apr 2025 If 2 people
PP SHARING
FROM ₤ 2,875
May 2025 - Oct 2025 If 2 people
PP SHARING
FROM ₤ 2,750
May 2025 - Oct 2025
If 4 people
PP SHARING
FROM ₤ 2,460
Nov 2025 - Dec 2025 If 2 people
PP SHARING
FROM ₤ 2,875
Jan 2026 - Mar 2026 If 2 people
PP SHARING
FROM ₤ 2,995
Jan 2026 - Mar 2026 If 4 people
PP SHARING
FROM ₤ 2,725
In Pictures
Milandi Joubert
AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST
Hi I'm Milandi , I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience
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