Dive St Helena

Located in the heart of Jamestown, Dive Saint Helena provides access to one of the most isolated and well-preserved marine environments on the planet. Established in 2010, this family-operated centre has become a cornerstone of the island's marine tourism, offering a gateway to both historic shipwrecks and vibrant pelagic encounters.

The centre operates with a focus on the island's unique maritime heritage, combining professional PADI instruction with local expertise. Whether you are looking to explore deep wartime wrecks or observe seasonal megafauna, the operation is designed to be a seamless, turnkey solution for visiting divers.

The operation is managed by the Yon family, with three generations of experience underpinning the service. The team includes Craig Yon, a Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT), and Keith Yon, a Divemaster, alongside Graham Sim, an instructor with over 5,000 logged dives, and Jamie Dubbs, who is actively involved in local marine conservation efforts.

As a PADI affiliated centre, they provide instruction in English and cover the full spectrum of recreational and professional training. The team's deep connection to the island ensures that every dive is informed by local knowledge of currents, swell, and marine life patterns.

The centre is a PADI training partner offering a comprehensive range of courses. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba or the PADI Open Water Diver course, which includes all necessary materials, a dive bag, and the required pool and open-water sessions.

For those looking to advance their skills, the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, Scuba Diver, and Specialty courses are available. The centre also provides professional training paths, including the PADI Divemaster programme, and safety-focused certifications such as PADI Rescue Diver and Emergency First Response.

The fleet includes the Wildcat, a semi-rigid inflatable boat (RIB) with a capacity for 14 divers, powered by twin 70cv Yamaha four-stroke engines. It is well-suited for group excursions and reaching offshore sites efficiently.

For smaller groups or more specialised trips, the Tango is available. This RIB is powered by a 60cv Mariner big foot engine and has a capacity for 4 divers. The centre also operates the Starlite, an Aquastar multipurpose work boat equipped with a 215cv Perkins-sabra engine, and the Egalite, which features twin 420cv Caterpillar engines.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for divers who prefer not to travel with their own kit. The centre provides a complete range of rental items to ensure you have everything required for your dives.

Safety is a priority on all vessels, with first aid kits and essential safety equipment carried on board. For night dives, the centre is equipped to support these excursions, and oxygen safety equipment is maintained on site.

The marine life around Saint Helena is diverse and highly active. You can regularly encounter various fish species, including Grouper (Epinephelus), Moray eel, Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), and various rockfish. Slipper lobsters and Spiny lobster are also common residents of the reef.

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to observe, from Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) to Stonefish and Octopus (Octopus vulgaris). The area is also home to various species of Butterflyfish (Chaetodon).

Pelagic encounters are a highlight of the region. You may see bottlenose dolphins, dusky dolphins, and pan-tropical dolphins throughout the year. Seasonally, the waters host Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) from January to April, and Humpback whale sightings are common between June and December.

The diving environment is generally characterised by very little tide or current on the sheltered side of the island. This makes for stable conditions across many of the local sites.

Water temperatures typically range between 18°C and 26°C. Visibility is generally excellent, with readings frequently between 15 and 20 metres.