Saints have a deep-felt connection to the ocean, and it’s easy to see why. Clear, warm waters (19-25°C.) Sea life including dolphins, whale sharks, turtles, small and big-game fish, and rays. Eight accessible shipwrecks to explore. St Helena’s marine environment is world-class. Why wouldn’t you jump in?
Marin
- 780+ species
- Whale sharks (December-April)
- Humpback whales (June-December)
- Rays, dolphins, turtles (year-round)
- Big game and rock fish, molluscs and more (year-round)
- Temperature usually 19-25C
- Visibility typically
- Eight accessible shipwrecks
- A variety of marine activities (cruises, sports fishing, snorkelling, sailing, scuba diving etc)
Swimming & snorkelling
St Helena’s clear, high-visibility waters are ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
Jumping in is easy. The ocean is accessible from the island’s capital, Jamestown, making an after-work swim popular with residents. The neighbouring bay of Rupert’s also provides easy access to the sea, with a black sand beach and recreational BBQ facilities; and the bay at Lemon Valley is another popular spot bursting with marine life just below the surface.
Swimming and snorkelling are especially popular each November-May during the island’s hot season which overlaps with whale shark season (December-April). Swimming with these gentle giants is one of the island’s greatest bucket-list attractions.
Paddleboarding and kayaking are also popular in St Helena’s waters, and watersports often take place on weekends and holidays. Snorkellers can encounter a vast array of marine and endemic life, including the St Helena Butterfly Fish and the Deepwater Jack. Eight of the island’s shipwrecks can be enjoyed by either swimming, snorkelling, freediving or scuba diving. Certain areas with strong undercurrents, for instance, Sandy Bay, are not safe for swimming.
Scuba diving
As a diving destination, St Helena boasts world-class visibility, affordable rates, diverse marine life and accessible shipwrecks.
Plus, the waters are far from over-touristed, allowing you to explore the ocean in freedom.
Sea temperatures vary from 19 to 25°C and visibility can range from 5 to 40m. Peak visibility is from December to May. Dives vary in depth from 5 to 30m+.
Underwater habitats are mixed, including rocky reefs with caves and areas of boulders, cobbles and sand. Green and Hawksbill Turtles are also often seen and visits from curious devil rays are common. Fish and other marine species that are found nowhere else in the world populate St Helena’s waters year-round.
Shipwrecks are some of St Helena’s best underwater features. Located mainly on the leeward side of the island, the eight accessible shipwrecks – sunk between the 1600s and 2000s – allow you to dive into the past.
Whether an advanced diver or just a beginner, St Helena offers something for you. PADI diving courses are available from qualified local dive operators. If you’re already certified, bring proof of certification and a log book. Please ensure you’re aware of the local diving laws and regulations.
Pêche
From a relaxing day on the rocky shoreline to the thrill of deep-water sports fishing, St Helena offers something for everyone.
Fishing is one of the island’s main cultural activities. It’s also a common line of work on the island, as evidenced in the amount of fishing boats that call James Bay ‘home’.
Only sustainable, one-by-one fishing is allowed within St Helena’s waters, a Category VI Marine Protected Area nearly the size of France. Traditional pole-and-line rods are still used by some families and fishermen, especially each Maundy Thursday (the traditional fishing day preceding Easter weekend).
If sports fishing is what you’re looking for, St Helena boasts a wide range of big game fish such as blue, white and black marlin (catch and release), yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dorado and barracuda. The rocky coastline is also easily accessible, for instance from Jamestown, Rupert’s and Lemon Valley, where you can catch grouper, Atlantic jack, bullseye and moray eels (locally named conger).
For a truly Saint cultural experience, try eating your catch fresh from the sea or cook fresh fish plo on an open fire. Ask a local tour operator for the whole experience.
Boats & yachts
Boat and yacht trips are a popular and relaxing way to explore the ocean environment and encounter marine wildlife.
Boat trips offer a breath-taking and unique view of St Helena’s stark exterior and untouched nature.
Seabirds swoop around the boats and gather at the outcrop of Egg Island, a bird sanctuary and popular stop for many boat trips.
Yacht trips are one of the most peaceful and eco-friendly leisure activities.
Offerings include sunset cruises, round-the-island tours and marine wildlife tours.
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