The World’s Most Remote Island Now Beckons Tourists

Published on September 7, 2025

St. Helena is simply a speck of onshore successful nan South Atlantic 1 of nan astir isolated islands aliases Remote Island you tin find. Used to beryllium that getting location meant a reliable five-night vessel ride. Today, a mini level makes nan travel successful a fewer hours, and Wi-Fi abruptly turns that long-ago land into a future-friendly stop. With ties to nan brave Dutch sailors who first spotted it and to nan past years of Napoleon, it’s loaded pinch one-of-a-kind stories, stunning views, and nan benignant of quiet you tin only find half a world away.

Until nan summertime of 2017, a sojourn to St. Helena took weeks to scheme and axenic grit to execute. You’d heap onto a bulky ship, settee successful for slow days crossed choppy seas, and yet drawback your first glimpse of nan rocky greenish cliff. Fast guardant to now: a comfy play formation zips you complete from South Africa, and nan island’s dependable rollout of 4G intends you tin show your friends you climbed Napoleon’s favourite hillside while it’s still daylight backmost home. The section authorities has centered each this singular alteration astir sustainable tourism, inviting nan world to slow its gait and measurement into a spot still glowing from a proud and changeless consciousness of self.

A Unique Place to Visit

Located astir halfway betwixt Africa and Brazil, St. Helena is simply a British overseas territory pinch a organization of conscionable complete 4,000 residents. The land is renowned for its calm, laid-back lifestyle, offering an flight from nan hustle of much commercialized tourer destinations. The upwind is often unpredictable, and proviso levels tin beryllium inconsistent, giving nan land an off-the-beaten-path feel. Despite these challenges, nan locals, known arsenic Saints, are welcoming, offering travelers a chance to acquisition existent land life.

Tourists visiting St. Helena tin research its rich | history, which includes its domiciled arsenic nan last spot of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon spent his past years connected nan land earlier his decease successful 1821, and nan land still contains respective sites related to nan French leader, including his erstwhile residence and nan grounds wherever he was buried. His remains were returned to France successful 1840, but his bequest still draws galore history buffs and visitors eager to study much astir his clip connected nan island.

What to See and Do connected St. Helena

St. Helena offers a assortment of activities for visitors looking for a operation of history, nature, and adventure.

• Jamestown: The island’s capital, Jamestown, features a blend of assemblage architecture and modern amenities. Visitors tin locomotion done Georgian-era buildings and section shops, providing a snapshot of some past and coming life connected nan island.
• Jacob’s Ladder: For nan adventurous, a hike up Jacob’s Ladder is simply a must. This 600-foot staircase, consisting of 699 steps, was erstwhile a donkey-powered cart way utilized to carrier equipment to nan cliffs above. The panoramic views astatine nan apical are worthy nan climb.
• Plantation House: Just southbound of Jamestown, Plantation House is an iconic landmark that dates backmost to 1792. It was erstwhile a British East India Company spot and is now location to nan island’s governor. The location is rich | successful history, pinch portraits and ancient furniture, arsenic good arsenic Jonathan, nan island’s celebrated tortoise, believed to beryllium nan world’s oldest surviving onshore animal.
• Natural Beauty: St. Helena is location to stunning landscapes, from rugged cliffs to lush valleys, making it a haven for hikers and quality lovers. The island’s unsocial wildlife, including endemic species, adds to nan island’s charm.

Practical Information for Visitors

For UK travelers, nan bully news is that St. Helena accepts British pounds arsenic its charismatic currency, making it easy for visitors to modulation into nan section system without worrying astir rate exchange. Although nan land is still processing its tourism infrastructure, visitors tin expect basal accommodations, section eating experiences, and mini shops.

While nan land is remote, modern conveniences for illustration high-speed net and play flights now make it easier for visitors to enactment connected and scheme their visits much efficiently. However, it is worthy noting that proviso shortages and unpredictable upwind conditions tin sometimes effect regular life connected nan island, making it a destination for those seeking a genuinely off-the-grid experience.

Impact connected Tourism

Since nan preamble of flights and nan improvements to nan island’s infrastructure, tourism has slow but steadily grown. In 2023, St. Helena welcomed 2,100 visitors—a humble but important number fixed nan island’s remoteness. The authorities has made it clear that it intends to create nan tourism manufacture further, ensuring that St. Helena remains a unsocial and charismatic destination without becoming overly commercialized.

For those seeking a serene retreat and a deeper knowing of nan island’s history and culture, St. Helena offers an unparalleled experience. However, prospective visitors should beryllium prepared for nan island’s unpredictability and isolated nature.

St. Helena isn’t a emblematic picnic destination. It’s for those who are eager to acquisition thing wholly different wherever rich | history, untouched nature, and an authentic relationship pinch locals create a genuinely unforgettable adventure.