Remote Atlantic Islands!

Why go...Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan Da Cunha are beautiful islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean!  They lie between South America and Africa, and have ties to the United Kingdom.  They are among the world's most isolated places!  The idea of being on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean with a handful of other people is romantic, dreamy, and also a little unnerving!

*St. Helena!  Visit the local distillery to try the island's juniper-flavored gin!

The Royal Mail Ship!  St. Helena is one of the last places on the planet that is only accessible via ship!  An airport is being built in 2016, so hurry and experience it now!  This is an official mail ship; it imports everything to the island, including visitors!  It runs like a floating b and b; very personal as though someone is inviting you into their home and going out of their way to keep you comfy and entertained.  They even have scholars on board to educate and entertain guests.  Because of St. Helena's location near the equator, almost all of the sky's constellations are visible!

St. Helena was uninhabited when it was first discovered in 1502, since then it has periodically been used as a penal colony!  You can visit Longwood, the house that Napoleon was exiled to and eventually died at.

Visit Johnathan, the 183 year old tortoise, at the Governor's mansion.  He came to the island in the 1800s and is still sassy and awesome! 

See Jacob's ladder!  699 steps!  600 feet up!!!!  Get a certificate after completing it!

*Ascension Island!  

Green Mountain Cloud Forest!  When the Portuguese arrived in 1503, the goats they brought with them gobbled up LOTS of the indigenous flora. Great efforts have been made to re-establish natural areas! 

Scuba dive off of the beautiful Comfortless Bay.

Letterbox walks!  A little book is kept at the top of summit trials all around the island.  Everyone who completes the hike signs the book.  This is an English custom called letterbox walks that has been established on the island.  That's so charming!  Look at how pretty the land is!  

*Tristan da Cunha!  These islands are further south and are a bit cloudy and damp.  The population is 270!  The capital is sweetly called Edinburgh of the Seven Seas!  Anyone wishing to visit needs to write and get permission!

70 families live on Tristan da Cunha.  They all farm potatoes on communal land.   You can rent a cottage or live with a family and take part in island life! 


The island is accessible by ship; the SA Agulhas leaves every Africa every Sept., will drop you off on Tristan, then be back to pick you up in 3 weeks.  It is a research vessel and it is the only way to get to the island!  I love the idea of roaming around this tiny and lovely island of friends without any worries of strangers or animals!