Why Honeymoon in Jamestown
Jamestown has an odd, lovely charm. The buildings along Main Street are painted in soft colors and built of local stone, with sash windows, wrought-iron balconies and doors that open straight onto the pavement. Saints greet you by name after a day or two.
It is also practical. Most of what you will want to do starts here: boat trips leave from the wharf, the museum is a few steps from the sea and Jacob's Ladder rises right out of the town. You can leave the car parked for a day and walk everywhere.
The pace is slow. Shops close early, Sundays are quiet and the arrival of the weekly flight is a small event. For couples who want time together without distraction, that is a feature.
When to Go
The warmest and busiest months run from about December to April. Temperatures in Jamestown sit in the low 70s to low 80s °F, the sea is warm enough for long swims and whale sharks appear offshore from January to April. This is also when extra flights are usually added.
May to November is cooler, with temperatures in the mid 60s to mid 70s in town and more mist on the high ground. It is a good time for hiking. Humpback whales pass the island from June to December, so boat trips still have plenty to see.
Jamestown itself is one of the driest parts of the island. If it is raining in the hills, it is often sunny in town.
Where to Stay
Jamestown has the largest choice of rooms on the island, though that still means a small number. Mantis St Helena is the island's boutique hotel, set in historic buildings in town and the best choice for couples wanting hotel comforts. Wellington House is one of the oldest hotels in Jamestown and a more traditional option.
Around town and up the valley there are guesthouses, small B&Bs and self-catering cottages, many run by Saint Helenian families. Self-catering works well if you want to cook local fish and keep costs down.
Rooms in guesthouses and cottages often run about £80 to £150 a night, with Mantis higher; treat these as approximate. Whatever you choose, book before you travel, since the island fills up in peak season. Ask hosts about airport transfers, since taxis must be booked ahead.
Romantic Things to Do
Climb Jacob's Ladder together. Built in 1829, its 699 steps run straight up the cliff to the old fort on Ladder Hill. Go early to beat the heat, then enjoy the view down onto the rooftops. The steps are lit after dark, which makes a striking sight from Main Street.
Hike to the Heart Shaped Waterfall, a cliff face above the town whose outline really does look like a heart. The trail is short but rough in places.
Book a boat trip from the wharf. In season you can swim beside whale sharks. Year round you may see dolphins and visit the seabird colonies on Egg Island. Sunset cruises are especially pretty.
Visit the Museum of Saint Helena and St James' Church, which dates from the 1770s and is often called the oldest Anglican church in the Southern Hemisphere.
Getting There and Around
All flights arrive at Saint Helena Airport on the east side of the island. Airlink flies in once a week from Johannesburg, usually on Saturdays, with seasonal flights from Cape Town in the southern summer. The drive to Jamestown takes about 40 minutes on winding roads.
Arrange an airport transfer with your accommodation or book a taxi in advance. If you plan to rent a car, reserve it before you fly and collect it on arrival.
In town, walking is easy, though the street climbs steadily up the valley. Parking is tight. A car makes day trips to Longwood, Plantation House and Diana's Peak simple. Drive on the left, take the hairpins slowly and give way to uphill traffic on narrow stretches.
Food and Drink
Eating out in Jamestown is simple and friendly rather than fancy. Fresh fish is the highlight, especially yellowfin tuna and wahoo, often served grilled or as fishcakes spiced with chili. Plo, a curried rice dish with meat or fish, is the classic island comfort food.
Saint Helena coffee is one of the island's proudest products. It is grown from beans brought in the 1700s and is rare and expensive abroad, so try it here where it is fresh. Local honey is excellent too.
For a nightcap, ask for Tungi, a spirit made from prickly pears. Supplies of imported goods depend on shipping, so menus can change week to week. Self-catering couples should shop early in the week for the best choice.
Honeymoon Tips
Bring British pounds in cash for your whole stay. There are no ATMs and cards are not widely accepted. The bank closes from Saturday afternoon until Monday, so arrive with money in hand.
Plan the big outdoor activities for the first half of your stay. If weather cancels a whale shark trip or a hike, you will have time to try again before the flight home.
Pack sturdy shoes for the steep streets and trails, a light rain jacket for the hills and reef-safe sunscreen. Download maps and anything else you need before arriving, as mobile data and wifi can be patchy.
Wave at everyone. Saints do. Returning the greeting will make you feel at home quickly.