INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
basically the island’ s celebrity grandfather. He lives at Plantation House and wanders around with the relaxed confidence of someone who has outlived empires.
Tourists gather for photos while Jonathan remains magnificently uninterested in human activity. The island’ s adventures don’ t stop there. On the south-eastern coast, Sandy Bay delivers dramatic black volcanic sand and crashing waves that look straight out of a survival documentary. Swimming is not recommended, but the scenery alone is worth the trip.
Then there’ s Lot’ s Wife’ s Ponds, a set of natural rock pools carved into the volcanic coastline, where brave travellers can swim surrounded by the force of the Atlantic. Getting there involves rough paths and a little determination, but that’ s part of the St Helena experience. Nothing here comes too easily.
LOBSTER FOR DINNER And the food? Surprisingly good.
Tuna, lobster, fishcakes, and curries dominate menus, while local coffee steals the show. Tiny cafés and pubs feel wonderfully old-school, the kind of places where conversations last forever because nobody’ s in a hurry to leave.
The island’ s drinks also deserves a respectful mention because apparently, remote islands have a universal rule requiring decent alcohol and fascinating stories.
Accommodation on St Helena keeps things charming rather than flashy. Boutique stays like Mantis St Helena in Jamestown offer comfort with character, while smaller guesthouses scattered around the island come with ocean views and hosts who’ ll end up telling you half the island’ s history over breakfast.
REAL ADVENTURE What makes St Helena unforgettable isn’ t luxury. It’ s personality. There are no giant resorts, no traffic jams, no influencers hanging off cliffs every five minutes. Instead, there’ s adventure. Real adventure.
The kind where you hike through clouds, drive along volcanic ridges, meet a 190-year-old tortoise and end the day watching the Atlantic crash against cliffs while wondering why more people haven’ t discovered this place yet.
Napoleon may have arrived here as punishment. You, however, will probably leave here plotting your imminent return. IB
18 INBOUND SA / JUNE 2026