There is no better way to get an overview of St Helena than from a guided tour. It could be your best first activity. Then you can go back later to the places that interested you most and explore further. Many are available.

Here are some tours we recommend{1}. For more about tours see our page Visitor Information.

• Aaron’s Adventure Tours, using an off-road vehicle to access areas of the island that normal vehicles can’t reach. Aaron has a good knowledge of island history and some interesting family stories. Tours can be customised to your needs. Email aat@helanta.co.sh or call (+290) 23987 to discuss.

• Robert Peters’ ‘History on Wheels’ Tour. Robert drives you around the island and talks of St Helena history, much of the more recent material from personal experience (at he remembers much of it!) Tours can be customised to your needs{2}.

• The Jamestown walking history tour. Don't miss this - you will learn a lot; not just facts but stories from the lives of past residents.

Note that only the tours listed above are recommended. If you can personally recommend a tour we have not listed please contact us.

Aaron’s Adventure Tours

Taxi tour, Robert Peters

Walking History Tour

Book at the Tourist Information Office.

Relevant pages: Island History; Jamestown; Visitor Information

Possibly the island’s best-known resident, Napoleon and his effect on St Helena are hard to ignore. A visit to Longwood House will also include a stop at Napoleon’s Tomb, and possibly a visit to The Briars too. Souvenirs are available at Longwood House.

Relevant pages: Napoleon; Longwood House; Napoleon’s Tomb; Alarm Forest

Jonathan may well be the world’s oldest living land animal. You probably won’t be able to actually pet him but even if you only see him in the distance he is worth the trip. You may also be lucky enough to get a tour around Plantation House.

Relevant pages: Jonathan the tortoise; Plantation House

There is nowhere else on the planet that you can see a Wirebird. It isn’t all that hard, though a little walking may be required. Ask at the Tourist Information Office or the St Helena National Trust offices (in Broadway House, Jamestown).

Relevant pages: The Wirebird

You will encounter Saints all the time, but make the effort to engage them in conversation and you will uncover a wealth of thoughts, feelings and aspirations. Saints are always delighted to talk to strangers and will happily converse in English (as opposed to Saint!) Share a little about yourself and why you are on St Helena and they will open up and tell you much that you would never learn from the tourist guides, or even from this website! And if you want to see Saints at play, and you are not lucky enough for your visit to coincide with one of our festivals, simply go down to Donny’s Bar at The Seaside on Friday or Saturday night (from 9pm onwards); be prepared to buy a few drinks!

Relevant pages: Speak Saint; Holidays and other festivals; Carnival

You know you have to! The Ladder’s 699 near-vertical steps may be a challenge, but it’s one all but the elderly or infirm should not resist. Take plenty of water with you, especially on a hot day, and arrange for someone with a vehicle to meet you at the top (walking down is actually much tougher on the legs than walking up). And, in case you’re interested, the record for an ascent of Jacob’s Ladder is a shade over five minutes… but we recommend you take it slower!

Relevant pages: Jacob’s Ladder

The boat trip is an excursion in itself, including Dolphin Watching and a visit to one of the main seabird nesting sites, Egg Island. Take a picnic and also your swimming kit - Lemon Valley’s bay is safe for swimming and usually quite calm. Book at the Tourist Information Office.

Relevant pages: Lemon Valley; Dolphin watching; Seabirds; Islands

Whether you do something more strenuous like Lot’s Wife’s Ponds, something easier like Flagstaff, or something gentle like the trip up to the Heart Shaped Waterfall, you really should get out in the fresh air and enjoy the scenery.

Relevant pages: Walking St Helena; The Heart Shaped Waterfall; Photography; Air-Quality

You must walk up to the top of Diana’s Peak. Why? Because it’s there!{3}. You will also encounter many of our endemic plants and maybe some endemic invertebrates too. Plus the view from the top is spectacular!

Relevant pages: Diana’s Peak; Walking St Helena; Endemic Species

Especially if you live in a built up area, you may find our Night Sky almost incredible. Even if you can’t identify any of the stars or constellations, the sheer density of the Milky Way never fails to impress.

Relevant pages: Astronomy

Napoleon said that our coffee was the only good thing about St Helena. We think he was wrong about the rest of St Helena, but our coffee really is special. Get it at: the Coffee Shop in Jamestown, just opposite The Mule Yard; at Ann’s Place in Castle Gardens.

Relevant pages: St Helena Coffee; Napoleon; The Mule Yard; Castle Gardens

If you want a real St Helena flavour to your stay, try our St Helena fishcakes (if you don’t like too much chilli, ask for the “less bite” version) and also a dish of Plo. Of course, “normal” food is also available, but why come here just to eat exactly what you would have at home? If you’re more adventurous, try St Helena black pudding, or maybe have a ‘poke’!

Relevant pages: Fishcakes, and other food; Speak Saint

See all of St Helena’s fascinating history, with lots of exhibits from the years since the island was discovered. Rather like our pages A Brief History and A Brief History (continued) but in 3D and you can also buy souvenirs at the gift shop.

Relevant pages: Museum of St Helena; Island History; A Brief History

If you are a qualified diver, or are here long enough to take a course, diving around St Helena is an unforgettable experience. You can get up-close-and-personal with endemic species of fish, explore old wreck, and all in clear blue and warm water. The Whale Sharks are spectacular!

Relevant pages: Diving; Lost Ships

Not just in Jamestown but across the whole of the island we have a fascinating collection of historic buildings. Forts, churches, houses, shops - and the great thing is that these are mostly not museum pieces, they are in active use today, as they have been for the last few hundred years. And you can explore Georgian Jamestown on foot!

Relevant pages: Historic Buildings; High Knoll Fort; Churches of St Helena

Driving in St Helena is quite an experience. You will probably do more hill-starts in one day than you have in the rest of your life! The roads are narrow, winding and rough and your hired vehicle is unlikely to be the latest model (or even the one before that!) What is there not to love?

Relevant pages: Driving in St Helena

Everyone goes to Castle Gardens at some point in their stay. Although in the middle of busy Jamestown{4}, it’s an oasis of calm where you can listen to the birds and the trickle of the fountain. A great place to eat your lunch and relax between your morning and afternoon activities.

Relevant pages: Castle Gardens; Jamestown

Donkeys were, for many years, the “backbone of St Helena transport”. Now retired, but used occasionally for demonstrations, they live in a field by Casons (in the Blue Hill district) which is easily accessible from the main road{5}. Probably best not to try and feed them but if you get out of your car they will usually come up for a pat on the nose. Watch your fingers though - they don’t intend to bite but sometimes get a bit carried away!

Relevant pages: Donkeys; Blue Hill

Whatever else you might leave behind, don’t forget your camera! There are so many amazing things to photograph on St Helena you will seriously regret not having it with you. And if it uses anything other than standard batteries, bring plenty and/or the charger.

Relevant pages: Photography; Island Pictures

Seek out some souvenirs to take back with you and amaze your friends! If you look around you will find plenty of locally-made items, many made from local wood or other materials.

Relevant pages: What to buy