Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
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Suited for
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
240 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type G
Type G:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Saint Helena Pound (SHP) £1 ≈ SHP 1 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are becoming more accepted, but cash remains the preferred method of payment.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: | We cannot recommend an eSIM provider for this country. We advise getting a local SIM card. |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not obligatory in Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha, but 10% is commonly given in restaurants. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is permitted in designated areas. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 999 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | None |
| Other: | These territories are remote and known for their pristine natural beauty and unique wildlife, including endemic species. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Three islands far apart: Saint Helena has flights from Johannesburg, Ascension needs prior permission, Tristan da Cunha is reached only by ship from Cape Town
Whale sharks off Saint Helena December to March, humpback whales August to October
Tristan da Cunha ship sailings run roughly September to April, and weather delays are common
Don't miss
- 🦈 Swim with whale sharks in crystal-clear waters
- 🪜 Climb the historic 699 steps of Jacob's Ladder
- 👑 Visit Napoleon's former residences and tomb sites
- 🥾 Hike to panoramic views from Diana’s Peak
- 🌿 Explore endemic flora at George Benjamin Arboretum
- 🌳 Relax in peaceful Castle Gardens in Jamestown
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha?
What makes these islands truly special is their remarkable isolation and untouched natural environments. St Helena offers a captivating mix of dramatic landscapes with lush valleys, high peaks covered in endemic plants and coastal areas where you can swim with dolphins year-round and whale sharks in summer. The island's 500 years of history, from Napoleon's exile to its role in the slave trade, adds cultural depth to your visit. Ascension Island presents an almost otherworldly landscape of rusty red volcanic cones and black lava flows, alongside excellent diving opportunities and important conservation sites for green turtles and rare seabirds. Tristan da Cunha, claiming to be the world's most remote inhabited island, offers the ultimate escape for those seeking true isolation. However, travelers should be aware that reaching these islands requires significant planning. St Helena is now accessible by air, but Tristan da Cunha has no airfield and depends on passing ships for contact with the outside world. The climate varies considerably across the islands and even within each island, with St Helena experiencing everything from sunny and humid conditions in Jamestown to cool mists in the highlands. The volcano on Tristan da Cunha is active and last erupted in 1961, adding an element of unpredictability to visits there.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
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1
Post Office and Tourism Centre
🎈Events
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St Helena Day
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Carnival (St Helena)
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Festival of Running (St Helena)
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Jacob's Ladder Challenge (St Helena)
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Fishermen's Day (Tristan da Cunha)
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Independence Day Celebrations (Ascension)
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Napoleon's Death Anniversary (St Helena)
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Christmas Festivities
-
New Year's Celebrations
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Saint's Day Celebrations
Knowledge before you go
- Book transport early; seats are limited and expensive.
- Pack essentials and medicines; supplies are limited and restocks can take weeks.
- Expect patchy connectivity and limited ATMs; bring cash and offline bookings.
- Plan flexible days for weather delays, especially boat landings and inter-island connections.
How to travel to Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
St Helena is accessible via flights to St Helena Airport from Johannesburg and Cape Town, with the option of a 24-hour stopover in Cape Town. Ascension Island can be reached via RAF flights from the UK through Brize Norton or connecting through St Helena. Tristan da Cunha has no airfield and is only accessible by sea, with irregular shipping services from Cape Town taking about six days each way. Visitors to Tristan da Cunha need permission from the Island Council, while Ascension requires a visa with proof of accommodation, return ticket, sufficient funds and medical insurance covering evacuation.
Access summary
- Saint Helena: Weekly Airlink flights from Johannesburg; occasional charter/ship from Cape Town.
- Ascension Island: Monthly Airlink charter from Saint Helena; access often employer-arranged.
- Tristan da Cunha: Multi-day ship voyages from Cape Town only; very limited schedules.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Accommodation options vary across the islands. St Helena offers around three hotels, various guesthouses, self-catering flats and houses and bed-and-breakfasts, primarily concentrated in Jamestown. Ascension Island has modest tourist infrastructure with simple but comfortable accommodation. Tristan da Cunha has extremely limited options and arrangements must be made well in advance. Due to the remote nature of these islands, booking accommodation ahead of time is essential, particularly for Tristan da Cunha where options are scarce.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
We couldn't find any nearby hotels for now.
How to get around Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Transportation options vary across the three island groups. On St Helena, car rentals and taxis are available, though roads can be narrow and winding with steep drops. Walking is popular for exploring Jamestown and hiking trails. Ascension Island has limited public transportation, so arranging a rental vehicle or guided tours is advisable. On Tristan da Cunha, the small size of the settlement means walking is the primary mode of transportation. For travel between the islands, you'll need to rely on scheduled ship services or flights between St Helena and Ascension.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
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Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to SHP) is 0% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Safety information overview
General safety
These islands are generally very safe with low crime rates. The main safety concerns relate to natural hazards such as steep hiking trails, strong ocean currents in some areas and the remote location which makes emergency response challenging.
Health & Medical
Medical facilities are basic across all three islands, with the most comprehensive services on St Helena. Serious conditions require evacuation, which can be extremely difficult from Tristan da Cunha. Comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation coverage is essential.
Accessibility
Accessibility is challenging throughout these islands. Steep terrain, limited infrastructure and the very nature of reaching these remote locations make them unsuitable for those with mobility issues. Even Jamestown on St Helena has steep streets and the famous 699-step Jacob's Ladder.
Tap water
Tap water quality varies across the islands. On St Helena, it's generally safe in Jamestown but may vary in rural areas. Bottled water is recommended on Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, where water comes primarily from rainwater collection systems.
Packing recommendations for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
🥾
Walking boots
📷
Camera
🌞
Sun cream
hat, sunglasses, sun cream
🧥
Waterproof jacket
👀
Binoculars
for wildlife viewing
🕶️
Sunglasses
hat, sunglasses, sun cream
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
👛
Cash in small denominations
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
👒
Sun hat
hat, sunglasses, sun cream
📃
Travel insurance
👛
Cash in multiple currencies
🧥
Fleece mid-layer
for variable temperatures
🔋
Spare batteries
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
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