Intrepid divers seeking a completely unique and remote adventure will love this 11-day dive holiday to St Helena, combined with an epic luxury safari within South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
One of the world’s most isolated islands, St Helena is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, between South America and Africa. It’s a British Overseas Territory and due to its solitary location, the diving here is particularly special. It offers an array of historical wreck dives, some easily accessible to beginner divers. St Helena is also a popular spot to see large pelagics, including manta rays, tuna, and whale sharks, along with many endemic species.
Warm water and high visibility mean this location attracts divers year-round, but December through May often brings the best marine life encounters.
This undersea adventure is perfectly paired with three nights in Kruger, with your welcoming lodge the ideal base for twice daily game drives. You can try and spot all of the ‘Big 5’, but lions here are a local favourite, as the Mluwati Pride are often seen near your luxury safari lodge.
| Location | Accommodation | Meal Plan | Activities | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1-8 | St Helena | Classic Package: Blue Lantern Guest House Premium Package: Mantis St Helena | Daily breakfast | Arrival transfer 7 x boat dives (6 daytime, 1 night) 1 x blue water whale shark snorkelling expedition Guided island tour |
| Day 8 | Kruger National Park | Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge | Full board | Fly to Skukuza Airpot via Johannesburg Transfer to Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge |
| Day 8-10 | Kruger National Park | Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge | Full board | Guided sunrise and afternoon safaris |
| Day 11 | Kruger National Park | Transfer to Skukuza Airport |
Kruger National Park (Private Mluwati Concession)
The Mluwati Concession is a 10 000-hectare private reserve hidden within the wilderness of the renowned Kruger National Park. Characterised by a sweeping landscape of bushwillows, acacia trees, open grassland, the N’waswitsontso River, and the Mluwati River, the concession is a nature lover and photographer’s paradise, and it provides an important habitat for a large lion population. Visitors can enjoy game drives and view an array of wildlife including leopard, wild dog, zebra, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, impala, giraffe, and wildebeest. The area also teems with hundreds of bird species including the southern, yellow-billed hornbill, the crested barbet, and Burchell’s glossy starling
Mantis St Helena
This historic boutique hotel is set within the former East India Company’s officers’ barracks, dating to 1774. Each of the 30 bedrooms or suites features comfortable beds, tea and coffee making facilities, and air conditioning. Relax in the indoor or outdoor lounges or dine on site, with the restaurant offering fresh seafood, local, and international cuisine.
Blue Lantern Guesthouse
This small and welcoming hotel is family run and just minutes from the beach. It features eight ensuite rooms with TVs, minibars, and fans. There’s a popular local restaurant on site and a concierge to arrange car hire or any additional sightseeing excursions.
Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park
A luxury lodge positioned next to the Mluwati River, guests stay in one of six circular suites offering king size beds, outdoor showers, private game viewing decks, and decor sourced from the local Tsonga community. There is also an outdoor pool, spa, and many activities to enjoy, including game drives and bird watching.
Dive Saint Helena is a locally owned shop, based in Jamestown, with extensive knowledge of the local waterways. They are a PADI dive training and certification partner, with co-owner Craig Yon holding PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer status.
They take divers out on one of their four purpose-built boats and have access to a range of unique dive sites featuring rocky reefs and lots of macro life. Notably, eight wreck dives are also near their Jamestown location.
Many dives are shallow and well suited to open water divers. Night dives are also available. The staff are extremely experienced, offering exceptional dives in comfort and safety for any level of diver.
SS Papanui: This is one of St Helena’s most popular dives. A former steamship that sank in 1911, it has since become a vibrant artificial reef and attracts lots of marine life. Due to its positioning close to shore, it’s also a rare beginner-friendly wreck dive. Maximum depth 13m.
Red Island: Another popular site, Red Island is often home to passing manta rays and turtles. It offers divers lots of variety, including drop-offs, volcanic rock formations, and healthy coral. Maximum depth 30m.
Artificial Reef: Made primarily of discarded cars, this interesting dive is near James Bay. Mantas and rockfish are commonly seen here. Maximum depth 30m,
White Lion: One of the island’s oldest wrecks, the canons and anchor can still be seen from this 17th-century vessel. Best suited for advanced divers as currents can be strong here. Maximum depth 35m.
Frontier: Another great advanced wreck dive, this former fishing vessel is mostly intact. It’s also home to butterflyfish, almaco jack, and occasionally dolphins. Maximum depth 28m.
Dockyard: This site features a sea cave, home to large numbers of crayfish. It can only be attempted during optimal sea and weather conditions. Maximum depth 18m.
RFA Darkdale: This World War II wreck is also a war grave, with a memorial to those lost later erected in James Bay. Limited to advanced divers, grouper, bullseye, tuna, barracuda, and the occasional whale shark can be seen at this site. Maximum depth 45m.
Buttermilk Point: This fun drift dive takes divers from the Dockyard to Banks Battery. Commonly seen marine life includes Moray eels, spiny lobsters, and trumpetfish. Maximum depth 18m.
Cavalley Point: Swim through large archways to see a wide array of marine life, including crayfish, bullseye, and cavalley. Maximum depth 18m.
Pricing for St Helena Diving & Kruger Safari
| 11-day diving Saint Helena Island, followed by a safari in Kruger National Park. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person pricing | |||||
| 7 nights accommodation in Jamestown hotel (classic or premium), including breakfast 3 nights at Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, including full board Airport transfers as specified in the itinerary 7 dives on the days staying at Blue Lantern, including tanks and weights Activities and excursions as mentioned |
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| Excluded | |||||
| Any pre and post tour accommodation All International and domestic flights Optional activities Drinks not mentioned Personal expenses such as gratuities, telephone calls, and travel insurance |
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| Valid to Dec 31, 2026 | AUD | EUR | |||
| Classic Package - Blue Lantern Hotel - pp twin share | 4370 | USD | | | 4370 | |
| Premium Package - Mantis St Helena Hotel - pp twin share | 4950 | USD | | | 4950 | |
| This resort's prices are in USD and include all givernment taxes. The AUD prices shown are based on the current exchange rate. The price paid in AUD will be based on the actual exchange rate at the time any payments are made. | |||||
