Located halfway between southern Africa and Brazil, St Helena is the world’s most remote island. Until 2017, reaching this rugged islet in the British overseas territory, touted as the place of Napoleon’s exile, commanded a tiresome five-night boat journey. Cut to now, competitive commercial flying operations and high-speed internet have made reaching and appreciating the island a breeze.
Discovering St Helena, the world’s most remote island
With a population of roughly 4000 residents, known as Saints, St Helena offers adventures marked by unpredictable weather, sporadic supply shortages, and a distance of 1,200 miles (1931.2 km) from the nearest island. Emma Philips, St Helena’s governor Nigel Philip’s wife, shared that the island will appeal more to tourists with a penchant for exploration and adventure rather than those merely seeking sunshine and sumptuous food. The island’s warm hospitality, spell-binding natural marvels and intriguing history make up for any minor inconvenience that you may encounter.
If you’re planning to visit St Helena, the world’s most remote island, here are some experiences that should be on your radar:
- Admire the striking British-colonial architecture in St Helena’s capital, Jamestown.
- Appreciate the old-world charm of purchasing trinkets and groceries from impeccable Georgian buildings, and walk the nostalgic lanes of pre-internet days at the town’s various DVD rental shops.
- Embark on an adventure by climbing Jacob’s Ladder, an outdoor staircase of 669 steps offering panoramic views.
- Visit Plantation House, a grand Georgian mansion built by the British East India Company in 1792. Serving as the official residence of St. Helena’s governor, the house is adorned with royal portraits, antique china, and a chandelier from Napoleon’s final residence. It is also home to Jonathan, a 192-year-old tortoise, holding the Guinness World Record as the oldest living land animal.
Touring the site of Napoleon’s exile
St Helena is famous for being the site of the former French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile from 1815 to 1821. The small island features various heritage sites that pay homage to the emperor, including his residences and original burial grounds. However, his remains were later repatriated to France in 1840.
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(Feature Image Credit: Umomos/Shutterstock)
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Writer by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has previously worked at Condé Nast India and Times Internet. When not working, you can catch her binge-reading the latest thriller on the block, re-watching Friends, trying a new recipe or hosting her friends.
