Mount Acteon on the central peaks at sunrise.

Mount Actaeon on the central peaks at sunrise.

ST HELENA DAY | What The Saints Did Next

We are marking 21 May 2015, St Helena Day, with a 21 picture special showing off our amazing little island.

Since Portuguese sailer João da Nova discovered an uninhabited St Helena on 21 May 1502, the sea journey has been the only way to reach the island but, 513 years later, our exclusive ocean voyage culture is about to change.

The St Helena airport is nearly ready and commercial flights are due begin from February 2016. The weekly flights will cut the travelling time from South Africa from approximately 120 hours to 4 hours.

This means it will now become feasible for more people to take a holiday on St Helena and enjoy our stunning landscapes and sample our idyllic way of life.

Here are 21 pictures from our collection of beautiful St Helena.

Longwood district.

Longwood district.

Although the island is small, most of it is open and accessible and there are a wide range of wonderful hiking trails from a gentle stroll to the downright hairy!

Although the island is small, most of it is open and accessible and there are a wide range of wonderful hiking trails from a gentle stroll to the downright hairy!

Historic Jamestown, capital of the island with its colourful Georgian architecture.

Historic Jamestown, capital of the island with its colourful Georgian architecture.

Ladies of the Salvation Army church at a Remembrance Day service.

Ladies of the Salvation Army church at a Remembrance Day service.

A walk to Blue Point offers one of the best views of Speery Island.

A walk to Blue Point offers one of the best views of Speery Island.

Three happy little Saint faces.

Three happy little Saint faces.

The peaceful countryside in the late afternoon.

The peaceful countryside in the late afternoon.

King and Queen Rock viewed from the Millennium Forest area.

King and Queen Rock viewed from the Millennium Forest area.

Eric, one of our favourite Saints.

Eric, one of our favourite Saints.

Donkeys were once used in their hundreds, but have now been mostly retired.

Donkeys on St Helena were once used in their hundreds, but have now been mostly retired.

Hiking in the colourful marls of the Painter's Palette.

Hiking in the colourful marls of the Painter’s Palette.

Lace making at SHAPE.

The intricate art of lace making at SHAPE.

The spiky aloe bushes which mostly grow in the drier parts of the island.

The spiky aloe bushes which mostly grow in the drier parts of the island.

Tuna fishcakes and rice with tomato gravy. Very Saint.

St Helena tuna fishcakes and rice with tomato gravy. Very Saint.

The stunning coastal scenery of Sandy Bay.

The stunning coastal scenery of Sandy Bay.

Walking through the cloud forest on the island's central peaks.

Walking through the cloud forest on the island’s central peaks.

The delicious locquat fruit that can be found on the roadsides when in season.

The delicious locquat fruit that can be found on the roadsides when in season.

The elegant St Helena Ebony flower.

The elegant St Helena Ebony flower.

Don't forget your camera! Awesome coastal scenery on a hike to Cox's Battery.

Don’t forget your camera! Awesome coastal scenery on a hike to Cox’s Battery.

All change soon! Passengers on the RMS St Helena arriving from Cape Town and getting their first look at the island as the ship approaches.

All change soon! Passengers on the RMS St Helena arriving from Cape Town and getting their first look at the island as the ship approaches.