Clear, warm waters, wrecks and fascinating marine life make St Helena Island an enticing snorkelling and scuba diving destination. Dive site habitats vary from rocky reefs with caves and areas of boulders to cobbles and sand, all teeming with marine life and all within easy reach of the wharf in Jamestown. The wrecks dotted around the coast present popular dive and snorkelling sites.
Sea temperatures vary from 66 to 75°F (19 to 25°C) and visibility can range from 16 to 130 feet (5 to 40m) with peak visibility being from December to May. Dives vary between 40 and 130 feet (5 to 30m+) and offer a range of diving opportunities. There are a number of local laws for divers to abide by, including no wreck penetration and rules.
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Devil Ray In St Helena Water
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Diving On St Helena Island
From clear, warm waters to wrecks and fascinating marine life, it is easy to fall in love with the ocean of St Helena Island. In fact, diving and snorkelling is also a popular pastime activity for many islanders.
Sea temperatures varies from 66 to 75°F (19 to 25°C) and visibility can range from 16 to 130 feet (5 to 40m), with peak visibility being from December to May. Dives vary between 40 and 130 feet (5 to30m+).
Snorkelers and divers can encounter a vast array of marine and endemic life, including the St Helena Butterfly Fish and the Deepwater Jack . Green and Hawksbill Turtles are also often seen and visits from devil rays are not uncommon. Located along James Bay and Lemon Valley are popular snorkelling nature trails to explore.
Popular dive sites boast a range of mixed habitats, including rocky reefs with caves and areas of boulders, cobbles and sand.
Dive into the past and explore the numerous shipwrecks found on the leeward side of the island. Telling tales of treasure, tragedy and loss; each wreck battling against mother nature to preserve their memory from the deep below.
Whether an advanced diver or just a beginner, St Helena Island offers diving opportunities for all levels. PADI diving courses are available from two qualified local dive operators.
If you’re planning to scuba dive on St Helena visitors must ensure to bring proof of certification and a log book. There are also a number of local laws for divers to abide by, including no wreck infiltration to enable the preservation of our magnificent pieces of maritime history.
Explore the wrecks of St Helena Island
Beneath the crystal waters of St Helena Island, lay 8 magnificent pieces of maritime history, battling against mother nature to preserve their memory from the deep below.
Entwined in these wrecks are tales of treasure, tragedy and loss; a fascinating window into the past and ill wind fates that over centuries, paved way for habitats and myriads of aquatic species which have emerged in them.
Bedgellet
The Bedgellet was bought to salvage the Papanui but broke its moorings during a storm, causing damage to other boats in the harbour along with itself. It was sunk in 2001 as an artificial reef, not far from Long Ledge, meaning it can be enjoyed by scuba divers and snorkellers alike.
Frontier
A drug running fishing trawler was confiscated and sunk in 1994. The Frontier has become a popular wreck dive for advanced divers.
Papanui
Over the years, the Papanui has attracted an abundance of marine life with the many endemics and other species of fish that can be found here is testament to the island’s strict conservation efforts. The Papanui lies in approximately 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12m) of water. The stern post protrudes above the surface occasionally as the tides move in and out. This is one of the most popular dive sites around St Helena Island for both the beginner and the experienced diver.
Spangereid
A coal ship that caught fire and sunk in 1920.
Darkdale
A royal fleet auxiliary tanker sunk by a German U-boat in 1941. The Darkdale is a war grave and displays the Union Jack on the stern. An early morning dive is the best time to visit the Darkdale.
Portzic
A fishing vessel, old and unrepairable, was sunk in 2008 as an artificial reef.
Witte Leeuw
A cargo ship that was sunk in 1613, lies approximately 115 feet (35m) from the surface. Jacques Cousteau dived this wreck many times when he visited in the 1970’s.
Atlantic Rose
A boat first used for cargo and then later converted into a fishing vessel until it broke its moorings and sank.
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