Dive holiday experts Diverse Travel have added the destination of St Helena to their programme.
St Helena is one of the remotest inhabited islands and most exciting dive destinations worldwide. A subtropicalparadise nestled deep in the South Atlantic Ocean, this tiny island – just ten by five miles and with a population less than 4,500 – is quite literally a world away from anywhere else.
St Helena’s geographical isolation makes for an exceptional ecosystem. This is one of Earth’s finest naturalplaygrounds, packed with mountainous peaks and trails, hundreds of endemic wildlife species, and a globally significant ancient cloud forest.
Underwater, St Helena is equally blessed, and her crystal-clear warm waters boast an outstanding diversity ofhabitats and life. Shaped by ancient volcanic activity, the dramatic underwater landscape is characterised by rocky caves, arches, sea mounts and reef structures that host abundant marine life. Over 700 marine species have beenspotted here, at least 50 of them are endemic to the island’s surrounding waters, including the so-called ‘CunningFish’ otherwise known as the St Helena Butterfly Fish. Sightings of dolphins, Humpback Whales, Devil Rays and turtles are also commonplace here.
Between December and April, Whale Sharks migrate to St Helena in large aggregations. The island is the onlydestination worldwide where male and female Whale Sharks are seen in such large, equal numbers. If snorkellingwith Whale Sharks is on your must-do list, then St Helena is simply one of the best spots in the world to experience this.
St Helena’s crystalline waters are also the perfect frame for the island’s eight exciting wreck dives that tell stories of tragedy, loss and treasure across 400 years or more of history. From Jacques Cousteau favourite the Witte Leeuw to the war grave of the Darkdale, there is plenty to explore.
Above water, St Helena is also a treasure trove. The island is well-known as the place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte, and history buffs will enjoy exploring its fascinating past in a legacy of fortifications, historic buildings and remains. St Helena is pristine and untouched by mass tourism, making hiking and outdoor pursuits here simply spectacular.
Diverse Travel Product Manager Phillip Connor says:
“St Helena is a really exciting destination for all lovers of the natural world. The island is positively brimming with opportunities for adventure above and below the water. St Helena is full of untapped potential as a dive and holiday destination and we are incredibly excited to share it with our guests.”
Tailormade dive holiday packages to St Helena start from £2845pp (March 2023) and include return flights London to St Helena via Johannesburg (one piece checked baggage), an overnight stay in Johannesburg, return Airlink flights to St Helena, hotel transfers, 7 nights at the historic Mantis St Helena hotel, Jamestown in a double / twin room including breakfast, 5 days of two tank dives with boat trips, tanks and weights, a Whale Shark experiencesnorkelling trip, plus ATOL and full financial protection as standard. Owing to connecting flights, St Helena is ideally twinned with South Africa. Why not experience the spectacular diving, wildlife and culture in both countries on a trip ofa lifetime?