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St Helena Wildlife & Safaris

St Helena’s wildlife and its remote location dubs it ‘the Galapagos of the Atlantic’ and has allowed the island to evolve a unique biological diversity, with around 500 endemic species of flora and fauna.

St Helena has no native land mammals, but is a haven for birdlife, including the endangered St Helena plover or ‘wirebird’. The ocean waters surrounding the island host incredibly diverse coral ecosystems which are home to marine wildlife found nowhere else in the world.

Whale Sharks

When on a safari in St Helena, the main activities are snorkelling and swimming with whale sharks. The world’s largest living fish, these giants migrate to the seas around the island during the summer months of January and February, where they filter plankton with their cavernous mouths. Whale sharks each have a unique colouration pattern of white spots and stripes, allowing researchers to identify and keep track of individual sharks. Relatively little is still known about whale sharks, but they are believed to have a lifespan of over 100 years and have been recorded migrating thousands of miles each year. Despite their colossal size reaching up to 40 feet in length, whale sharks are very docile and pose no threat to humans so you can swim freely alongside them as they graze the ocean's surface. This is strictly regulated and only a handful of visitors are able to experience this incredible opportunity each year.

Marine Life

The coral reefs and rocky outcrops surrounding St Helena are brimming with fascinating marine wildlife, including Hawksbill turtles, devil rays and tropical fish.

Giant Tortoises

Plantation House, the residence of the Governor of St Helena, is also home to several Seychelles giant tortoises who were first brought to the island in 1882. The oldest of the tortoises, Jonathan, is thought to be over 180 years old - making him the oldest land animal in the world!

Birds

The island of St Helena itself is a birders paradise, with colonies of seabirds including masked boobies, red-billed tropicbirds and fairy terns migrating across the Atlantic ocean to nest on the coastal cliffs. The St Helena plover, locally known as the wirebird because of its long, wiry legs, is the last remaining endemic bird species and the national bird of the island.

STH Whale Shark St Helena Tourism

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Why Natural World Safaris for your St Helena Safari?

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Remote by Nature

St Helena is one of the most remote inhabited islands on Earth — and a perfect match for travellers seeking something truly different. We specialise in far-flung, wild destinations, and St Helena offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, unique biodiversity, and a sense of isolation that’s increasingly hard to find in modern travel.

Conservation Minded

Conservation Minded

We work only with trusted local partners who are actively involved in preserving the island’s rare habitats and endemic species. Whether you’re exploring cloud forests home to the St Helena plover or snorkelling with seasonal whale sharks, your journey directly supports conservation and community-led tourism initiatives.

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Tailor-Made Exploration

With limited access and infrastructure, travelling to St Helena requires insight and precision — and that’s where we come in. From guided hikes and marine adventures to historic insights and wildlife encounters, we build bespoke itineraries that connect you to the island’s wild heart and untold stories.