The rugged and remote island that's about to get much more accessible

With modern-day adventurers such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Bruce Parry gracing our TV screens and bookshelves, it’s easy to feel inspired to travel to faraway virgin shores. What’s harder is finding that as yet undiscovered destination. Step forward St Helena.

If you carefully study the vast stretch of blue between Africa and South America on a map you might glimpse the tiny fleck of land, just 10 miles by 6. One of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world, it was here that Napoleon was exiled 200 years ago, after defeat at the battle of Waterloo.

At present the only way to reach the remote British Overseas Territory is via ship, and that is an experience in itself, explained Chanelle Marais, marketing manager at St Helena Island Tourism. “It’s a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime voyage,” she said.

After departing Cape Town it takes five sea days to arrive on the RMS St Helena, with five days spent on the island, plus one day on the isle of Ascension, before the five-day journey back to South Africa. The Royal Mail Ship is a rather unique cargo-passenger vessel, and one of only a handful that remains in operation, Marais added.

Next year, however, the island is set to become more accessible.

A newly built airport will welcome its first commercial flights. British travellers will have to make their way to South Africa first, as the only airline contracted to service St Helena is BA partner Comair, which will run weekly Johannesburg-St Helena flights.

Though the island’s nearest major landmass is Angola – some 1,200 miles away – the territory’s overarching culture is distant from Africa, said Marais. “It’s absolutely British,” she explained, adding that many of capital Jamestown’s buildings are Georgian-era.

The landscape on this volcanic island, however, is far removed from that of Britain. “We’re a hilly island, not a beach destination,” noted Marais. “The hiking is incredible. We have 21 ‘Postbox Walks’ – some are hair-raising as the terrain is so steep and difficult, but there are easier ones.”

Attractions are just as abundant in the ocean that surrounds the island as on its soil, added Marais. “The sea life is absolutely fantastic,” she said. “For divers it’s paradise. There are a number of wrecks here and the snorkelling is also good. One of our big attractions is swimming with whale sharks, plus there is dolphin watching and brilliant fishing.”

While it’s been many years since St Helena last served as a prison, outdoor enthusiasts might find they never want to leave.