St. Helena Island Whale Shark Special Weeks 2025

Two price options are available for these great-value tours, with prices listed in GBP (pounds).

Budget:

• 28th February to 10th March 2025
• Two sharing a double room: £1,290
• Single occupancy: £1,480

Deluxe:

• 7th March to 16th March 2025
• Two sharing a double room: £1,985
• Single occupancy: £2,340

Flights from Cape Town to St Helena (round trip) are available through the tour organizers for £780 ($990). Payments are accepted in GBP, USD, EUR, AUD, or ZAR.

For those unable to join these dates, customized trips to St. Helena can be arranged year-round.

Overview of the Tour

These special weeks have been curated by professional underwater photographer Christopher Bartlett, owner of Indigo Safaris. Christopher has visited St. Helena multiple times (2018, 2019, and 2020) and has been actively involved in whale shark conservation since 2009. He has led trips to destinations like the Galapagos and the Maldives, collaborating with Dr. Simon Pierce, founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation and a leading expert on whale shark conservation. Christopher’s dedication to whale shark research spans over a decade, making these tours an insightful experience. The Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) is one of the key conservation organizations sponsored by these trips.

Whale Shark Interaction

St Helena is unique as the only location known to have a seasonal aggregation of adult male and female whale sharks, which takes place between January and March. In March 2019, the first courtship between two whale sharks was documented here, and some of the females observed appear to be pregnant. The whale sharks are often found around sea mounts or ledges. While current regulations prohibit deliberate SCUBA diving with whale sharks, snorkeling and chance encounters during dives are permitted. This tour includes two planned whale shark snorkels, and divers can continue their encounter if a whale shark appears while they are underwater.

Diving

Diving around St. Helena offers a diverse experience. The island’s limestone cliffs feature stunning caverns filled with fish, including many endemic species, creating excellent opportunities for underwater photography. The lava formations attract Chilean devil rays, while pinnacle sites host schools of rainbow runner and jacks. There are also several notable wrecks to explore.

Snorkeling

Divers will have two afternoon whale shark snorkeling trips included in their itinerary. Non-divers can participate in two afternoon snorkels and two additional sessions, which will be scheduled based on conditions and preferences. The warm waters are home to Chilean devil rays, colorful reef fish, and millions of endemic St. Helena butterflyfish, creating a unique underwater experience reminiscent of a vibrant snow globe.

Included in the Tours

For Divers

• Budget Trip: Includes 1 night in Cape Town, 8 nights on St. Helena, a final night in Cape Town, 12 dives over 5 days, 2 whale shark snorkel trips, a full-day 4×4 land tour, 7 days of shared vehicle hire, and transfers.
• Deluxe Trip: Includes 1 night in Cape Town, 7 nights on St. Helena, a final night in Cape Town, 12 dives over 5 days, 2 whale shark snorkel trips, a full-day 4×4 land tour, 7 days of shared vehicle hire, 7 breakfasts on St. Helena, and 4 dinners.

For Non-Divers

• Budget Trip: Includes 1 night in Cape Town, 7 nights on St. Helena, a final night in Cape Town, 4 whale shark snorkel trips, 2 full-day land tours, 8 days of shared vehicle hire, and transfers.
• Deluxe Trip: Includes 1 night in Cape Town, 7 nights on St. Helena, a final night in Cape Town, 4 whale shark snorkel trips, 2 full-day 4×4 land tours, 7 days of shared vehicle hire, 7 breakfasts on St. Helena, and 4 dinners.

Itinerary (Deluxe Version)

The budget version includes an extra day with two additional dives.

• Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town and transfer to accommodation 10 minutes from the airport.
• Day 2: Take a 09:00 flight to St. Helena, arriving at 13:30. Transfer to accommodation; dinner is included in the deluxe version. Enjoy after-dinner drinks at the local Standard Pub for a taste of local culture.
• Day 3: Two dives on sea mounts or ledges, followed by an afternoon visit to Jamestown.
• Day 4: Full-day 4×4 island tour, exploring key historical sites and viewpoints.
• Day 5: Morning reef or wreck dives, with a whale shark snorkel in the afternoon.
• Day 6: Two dives on sea mounts or ledges.
• Day 7: Two more dives on sea mounts or ledges.
• Day 8: Morning reef or wreck dives, followed by a whale shark snorkel in the afternoon.
• Day 9: Free morning, followed by a midday transfer to the airport for a 14:30 flight back to Cape Town. Overnight in Cape Town.
• Day 10: Transfer to the airport for departure.

Accommodation Options

Budget Accommodation: Guests will stay in two or three-bedroom cottages in Half-Tree Hollow, built in 2014, offering stunning views of the coast and ocean. Each cottage includes a small lounge, kitchen, and bathroom. Single occupancy guests share a three-bedroom cottage. A small supermarket is nearby, with fresh fish available in Jamestown, just a five-minute drive away.

Deluxe Accommodation: The 4-star Mantis Hotel is located in the heart of Jamestown. A blend of historic buildings dating back to 1774 and modern architecture, this boutique hotel is a short walk from the seafront, swimming pool, museum, shops, and bars. It offers a large restaurant, bar, guest lounge, and outdoor terraces, providing a luxurious stay on the island.

For more information or to book, contact Indigo Safaris:

Email: safariexperts@indigosafaris.com
UK: +44 771 334 27 29
USA: +1 718 312 8777
France: +33 668 74 97 05
Skype: christopherbartlett