St Helena is a small, friendly British Overseas Territory. Same-sex marriage is legal and attitudes are generally courteous, though the island is conservative in style and there is no dedicated LGBTQ+ nightlife. We keep public affection/context in mind in small communities, use vetted welcoming suppliers, and your Tour Leader will brief the group so the trip stays relaxed, respectful and joyful.
Overview
- Status: British Overseas Territory (St Helena, Ascension & Tristan da Cunha).
- Capital / main town: Jamestown. Gateway airport: HLE – St Helena Airport.
- Language: English.
- Currency: Saint Helena Pound (SHP), pegged 1:1 to GBP. GBP cash widely accepted. Card acceptance is improving but can be limited; bring some GBP cash.
- VAT/Sales tax: No tourist VAT refund scheme.
- Power: 240V / 50Hz, Type G (UK) plug.
- Water: Tap water is treated; most visitors prefer bottled for drinking.
- Driving: Left-hand; narrow winding roads—local drivers only on our tours.
- Time: UTC+0 year-round (no daylight saving).
- Health: No mandatory vaccines for most travellers. Medical facilities are limited; serious cases require medical evacuation to Africa—robust insurance is essential.
- Local culture: Warm, close-knit island community; Sundays are quiet; always ask before photos.
- Food & drink: Local fishcakes, tuna, “plo” (one-pot rice dish), island coffee; vegetarian options available though imported items can be limited—tell us your needs in advance.
Airfare
International flights
- Not included unless specifically stated.
- We’ll advise the exact routing; most itineraries connect via a regional flight to HLE (limited schedules, subject to weather/wind).
- Please wait for our written tour confirmation before booking personal international flights.
- Typical booking windows: economy ~3–5 months out; business ~5–8 months.
- Want us to handle it? We can book and ticket your international flights (service fee applies), align schedules to the island flight, and assist if airlines adjust timings.
Regional flight to St Helena (within your itinerary)
- Usually included in the package (unless otherwise stated).
- Schedules are limited and weather-sensitive; allow buffer time around your trip.
- Aircraft are weight-restricted; baggage allowances are stricter than long-haul (details on your ticket).
- Fares/taxes remain subject to change until ticketed; any increases/refunds will be communicated promptly.
Good to know: Names must exactly match passports; check in 3 hours before international and 2 hours before regional departures.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and should include medical evacuation, trip delay/curtailment (for possible weather disruptions), and cover for any optional activities you choose.
Tour Leader
Afrigay trips are hosted by Mike or a trusted Tour Leader, with licensed local island guides for heritage, hiking and marine experiences. Your leader manages logistics, check-ins, safety briefings and the thoughtful touches that make a trip feel special.
Travelling Alone
Solo travellers are very welcome. You can:
- Room solo (single supplement applies), or
- Opt to share—we’ll try to pair you with a traveller of similar profile to avoid the supplement. If we can’t match you, we’ll offer the best single rate available.
Meals
Inclusions vary by itinerary and are shown on the What’s included tab. We aim to include a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner so the group connects at the start and celebrates at the end. Not all meals are included—we leave space to sample island spots. We happily cater for vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free and other needs—please advise in advance (supplies can be limited on a remote island).
Optional Activities
Only the activities listed as Included on your trip page are part of your package. Anything else is optional and not included.
If you’d like extras, we can arrange them at additional cost—before travel or on tour—subject to availability, season, weather and any minimum numbers. Optional add-ons are usually paid direct to suppliers; if we pre-book, they’ll appear on your invoice. Your insurance must cover any optional activity you choose.
Tipping Protocol
Tipping is low-key and at your discretion. GBP/SHP are both fine.
- Restaurants/Cafés: around 5–10% if service isn’t included.
- Hotel porters: £1–2 per bag.
- Housekeeping: £1–3 per room per night.
- Local guide/driver (day touring): £8–15 per person per day (group size dependent).
- Tour Leader (multi-day Afrigay host): US$5–10 (or £4–8) per person per day—aligned with common global norms.
Your Tour Leader will brief you on any lodge/boat tipping pools.
What to Bring
- Passport & copies, any required entry permit/e-visa, and insurance details.
- Bank cards plus some GBP cash (card acceptance can be limited).
- UK plug adaptor (Type G), power bank, unlocked phone (local SIM options are limited).
- Layers for variable wind/sun; light rain jacket; swimwear.
- Sturdy walking shoes for steep roads/trails; sun protection (hat, high SPF, sunglasses).
- Personal meds (bring enough for the whole trip) and a small first-aid kit.
We’ll send a tour-specific packing cue sheet with your final documents.
LGBTQ+ Information
We currently don't have this information available.
Additional Information
We currently don't have this information available.
Rights Reserved
We may make reasonable changes to the itinerary, accommodation, transport or sequencing when required by weather, safety, governmental advice, availability or operational factors (especially relevant on remote islands). Equivalent or higher-quality services will be substituted where possible. Afrigay Travel and its partners operate within St Helena law and applicable international standards; participation implies acceptance of our full Terms & Conditions issued at booking.
