St Helena by Royal Mail

The operation of the Royal Mail service to St Helena provides the only opportunity to visit this isolated and remote tropical island, travelling on a vessel carrying vital supplies and a world away from the glamour and commercialism of ocean cruising today. With extended periods at sea the RMS St Helena takes independently-minded passengers to this unspoilt destination with an extended stay for exploration or relaxation. Just 47 miles in area, the island lies over 1200 miles from the nearest landfall and 1500 miles north-west of Cape Town. Once a busy port for East Indiamen returning from the Orient it is only accessible by sea (an airport is planned within a few years, when the character of the island will undoubtedly change and the postal ship may cease to operate). Deep verdant valleys give way to barren desert and volcanic scree and it is a birdwatchers’ paradise being home to many seabirds including boobies, noddies, tropicbirds and terns. Led by one of St Helena’s experts, Basil George, three excursions explore the island: a full-day scenic tour of the island; a walking tour of Jamestown includes the castle, church, St Helena Museum, public garden, Jacob’s Ladder (700 steps) and tea at the Wellington House Hotel (½ day); a coastal cruise includes Egg Island where Napoleon was captured (½ day).