Positioned nearly midway between southern Africa and Brazil, this British overseas territory, St Helena, was historically accessible only by a gruelling five-night boat journey until 2017. However, with the recent introduction of weekly commercial flights and high-speed internet, the government of St Helena is striving to revitalise its nascent tourism sector. In 2023, approximately 2,100 leisure travellers explored this remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean, renowned as the site of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile from 1815 until he died in 1821. Today, the island is opening up to visitors, offering a unique blend of history, natural beauty and adventure.
The capital city of Jamestown is a charming mix of old and new, with British Georgian-era colonial buildings lining its streets. Visitors can explore the town’s historic sites, including Napoleon’s residences and original burial grounds. With just over 4,000 residents, the citizens of the island are fondly known as Saints. Emma Phillips, wife of St Helena’s governor Nigel Phillips, points out that the island is a magnet for those with a genuine curiosity for exploration and knowledge, rather than merely seeking sun and cuisine.
St Helena boasts numerous heritage sites dedicated to the deposed French emperor. Tourists can explore his residences and original burial grounds, although his remains were repatriated to France in 1840. For outdoor enthusiasts, St Helena offers a range of activities, from mountain biking and sport fishing to scuba diving in crystal-clear waters.
The island is one of the few places in the world where visitors can swim with whale sharksVisitors can peruse small retail and grocery stores housed in Georgian-era buildings, while vestiges of the island’s pre-internet days linger in the form of DVD rental shops. For a panoramic view accompanied by a workout, adventurous travellers can ascend the 699 steps of Jacob’s Ladder, an outdoor staircase overlooking the town, originally built as a donkey-powered cart track.
Three kilometres south of Jamestown lies Plantation House, an imposing Georgian mansion constructed in 1792 by the British East India Company. Once the seat of St Helena’s colonial administration until 1834, it now serves as the official residence of the governor. Adorned with royal portraits and period furnishings, including antique china and a chandelier from Napoleon’s final abode, Plantation House also boasts a well-maintained lawn, home to the island’s most celebrated resident — Jonathan, a tortoise. At an estimated age of 192, Jonathan holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest living land animal.