We are often asked Where is St Helena ?? and love telling the story. So we decided to make a short video showing where St Helena is, how to get there and why you want to go.
Measuring just 47 square miles or just 10 x 5 miles wide, it’s located a little more than 1,200 miles from the coast of Africa, and 2 and half thousand miles from the South America. Home to around only 4-5 thousand friendly souls. With an estimated 20,000 or so Saints around the world. Saints is what people who come from St Helena are called. And that’s why we call yourselves The Saint Cooks.
We’re British citizens. As St Helena is one of the 14 British overseas territories around the world. It has been under British rule since 1658, having been discovered in 1502 by Joan da Nova for the portugese. He named the Island after Helena of Constantinople.
Since 2017 you can now fly. From either Johannesburg or Cape Town in South Africa. It’s a morning flight taking around 6 hours to the Island, with a quick refuelling stop at Walvis Bay in Namibia. And then its a 4 hour return flight back to South Africa. Typically flights are every Saturday, and sometimes on Tuesdays depending on the travel season.
On St Helena you can go and visit the oldest, living land animal in the world! Jonathan the tortoise! Who is officially he is 186 years old.
St Helena is probably best known because the french emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. He was exiled there after losting the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. He died on the Island in 1821. By all accounts he didn’t enjoy his time as a prisoner on the Island. The houses where he stayed at the Briars and Longwood are now excellent museums which you can visit. You can also visit Napoleon’s grave in Sane’s Valley, a spot he picked myself.
Some other fascinating things about St Helena are. It has one the most expensive coffee’s anywhere in the world.
Can see unique tropical scenery unlike anywhere else. Lush and stunning on the inside. And wonderfully rocky on the edges. It is renowned for its friendliness. We Saints are very friendly and welcoming. And we like to feed you!
Thanks for watching! EJ & R
