On arrival at Jamestown Airport at approx 1.15pm you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore a little of Jamestown at your leisure.
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 at the Mantis St Helena.
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, stroll to the Dive Centre from where you embark for a snorkelling trip in search of whale sharks.
St Helena is the best region 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 area around 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.
The two local marine operators offer a highly professional snorkeling encounter with these gentle giants. But this is not guaranteed!
Note: At other times, you may be able to see pods of dolphins or Humpback whales (between June and October).
Depending on trip times, you may like to enjoy a traditional Saints (British) Sunday Lunch at the hotel.
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.
In the evening you could eat at the Hotel or sample one of the local restaurants such as Anne's Restaurant or Rosie's Bar.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
This morning you have a choice of options.
You can take a full day sight-seeing and historical tour of the whole island. The landscape of St Helena includes steep, multi-color ridges, bronze volcanic rock, golden beaches and lush vegetation. En route you will learn about the history of the island including the Boer prisoners of war, the Dutch East India company and the Salve legacy. You enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot. You'll also explore the various sites associated with St Helena's most famous resident, Napoleon Bonaparte, who was exiled here by the British and who ended his days on the island.
Alternatively:
You can take a shorter half-day island tour by 4x4 in the morning. Then in the afternoon you enjoy a historical walking tour of Jamestown with one of the local legends, Basil George (2½ hours)
Evening 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.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Full day dive
Visibility should be excellent at this time of the year. Thanks to the island's remoteness, there is little pollution. Between November and April, visibility can reach 40 metres.
Dives vary between 40 and 130 feet (5 to 30m+) and offer a range of diving opportunities. Most of the dive sites are located on the leeward side of the Island where divers can experience a bit of surge from the ocean swells, but there are no strong currents.
Fish species such as the bastard fivefinger, deepwater 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.
Whale sharks are also a common sight, relaxing in the warm waters. (Typically seen between December and March with the peak being January and February.)
Around Saint Helena there are plenty of small islands to see. Thompson’s Valley Island has volcanic caves, carved thousands of years ago, home to more rare creatures.
OR Shipwreck Dive
The most famous dives on Saint Helena are the two wrecks found off the mainland. Papanui, the wreck of a coal ship, is located in shallow water. Dark Dale was sunk by a U-boat during WWII, and you have an excellent shot of running across large pelagics like tuna and grouper. Sometimes, whale sharks even make an appearance too.
Enjoy dinner in the evening at either Annie's or Rosie's Restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today you enjoy a guided walk to 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, if you have opted for Diana's Peak on Day 2, 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.
Then enjoy a picnic lunch of local cuisine. 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.
Alternatives to Hiking:
If you are not into walking/hiking, there are a variety of alternatives for this day such as:
- 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
- Visit Longwood House - Napoleon's residence, now a world class museum. Longwood House was the residence of Napoleon, during his exile on St Helena from December 1815 until his death in May 1821. It is located on the Eastern side of the island. Nestled in well-manicured grounds, the house offers more than an hour of intriguing history offered through an audio guide.
In the afternoon, you have a choice of optional activities, or you can simply relax. Choose between a Conservation Tour which includes the endemic Wirebird and tree-planting at the Millenium Forest. Or a Bird-watching Tour.
Dinner is at Betrands Cottage.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Dolphin and Coastal Marine Tour
Enjoy a morning marine cruise around the leeward side of the island. Here you are in search of pods of 400 to 500 dolphins or the whale shark where you can again snorkel with them if encountered. This side of the island also has a number of nesting sites for marine bird colonies.
Lunch is at the Pub Paradise.
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.
Next you visit the St Helena Distillery - Try and buy Tungi Spirit, Midnight Mist coffee liqueur, White Lion rum or some of the locally made wine or brandy.
Optional Evening Dinner: 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!
There is no doubt that because St Helena has always been isolated and surrounded by the sea, fish has been a main component of the locals’ diet. There are many species of fish abundant near St Helena, and over the years the “Saints” have created many dishes that are envied all over the world. This is your chance to learn to cook the signature “Tuna Fishcakes”.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today there are various options depending on what you have done so far.
- Guided walk to Lots Wife Ponds Hike - This is a moderate to challenging coastal hike with natural swimming pools at the end of the walk (5 hours). A guide from the St Helena National Trust will accompany you. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route.
- Visit the Museum and then take a guided tour of the Plantation House, the Governors Residence with tea and cake in the library. And meet 187 year old Jonathan, the giant tortoise.
- 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
Lunch is back at the hotel or at The Inkwell.
Then in the afternoon you enjoy a Military History Tour of the island and includes the East India Company, Boer Prisoners and also the Salve Legacy. You head over to the Boer war cementery which is located near to the oldest cathedral in the Southern Hemisphere. Finally you visit High Knoll Fort. High Knoll is one of the island’s key heritage sites,. It stands at an impressive 584 meters above sea level. This fortification was built in 1790 and not only offers a fascinating history and tour, but stunning 360 degree views of the Island.
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.
Farewell dinner at the Hotel. Then you may like to sample a drink or two at either Donny's Bar or Mule Yard.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Climb Jacob's Ladder in the cool of the early morning
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 onsite gift shop also presents you with the chance to pick up your souvenirs.
Transfer to the airport at approx 11.30-12 noon for the afternoon flight back to Cape Town departing at 2.15pm.
