Best Time to Visit Jamestown
Saint Helena · weather by month, temperature and rainfall
Weather-wise, December to July is the best time to visit Jamestown. Temperatures barely change through the year: highs stay between 18°C and 23°C, so rainfall matters far more than heat when choosing when to go. It's a dry place, with only about 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain in a typical year.
When to go to Jamestown: a seasonal guide
Warm months, January to May
Jamestown sits in a narrow, sheltered valley on the leeward side of Saint Helena. It's the island's driest, warmest spot. From January to April, highs hover around 23°C, and nights barely cool off. That's the peak of summer here, and the sun shines about six hours a day.
Humidity stays high, so afternoons can feel soft and sticky. The upside is that rain is almost nothing. Even the wettest month, June, only gets 9 mm. Days are good for climbing Jacob's Ladder, the 699-step staircase up from the edge of town to Ladder Hill. Swimming off the town's rocky shore is possible, but check conditions locally. Swells can be strong.
June to October: cooler and greyer
Winter isn't cold, but it's cloudier. Highs drop to about 18°C in September and October, and those two months share the lowest sun of the year at 1.8 hours a day. Expect grey skies more than rain. Dry days are the norm, with no rainy days at all in July to November.
This is a good time for walking the Heart-Shaped Waterfall trail or the island's Post Box walks in the cooler highlands, where the air feels fresher. If you want blue-sky photos of Jamestown's Georgian buildings, aim for earlier in the year. If you like quiet streets and cool evenings with a pint at a pub on Main Street, these months suit you.
Crowds and events
Saint Helena is remote. Visitors arrive by air from Johannesburg or on the RMS-style sea link when it's running, so numbers stay small all year. There's no big high season crush. The pinch point is flights and rooms, which can fill around Christmas and New Year when families return to visit. If you're coming then, sort out your stay early.
Many Saints (islanders) celebrate Saint Helena Day on 21 May, marking the island's discovery. It's a good week to be in town. Christmas and New Year bring a cheerful, homey mood, and December's mild 20°C days make the festive season easy.
Our pick
For warm, dry days and the most sun, go from February to April. For quiet and cool walking, try July to November. December is a nice middle ground, and May lets you catch Saint Helena Day.
Jamestown weather by month
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy days | Humidity | Sun hrs/day | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°C 71°F | 21°C 70°F | 3 mm | 0 | 78% | 6.1 | Excellent 10 |
| February | 23°C 73°F | 22°C 72°F | 5 mm | 1 | 78% | 6.7 | Excellent 10 |
| March | 23°C 74°F | 23°C 73°F | 6 mm | 2 | 77% | 6.4 | Excellent 10 |
| April | 23°C 73°F | 22°C 72°F | 5 mm | 1 | 76% | 5.5 | Excellent 10 |
| May | 22°C 71°F | 21°C 70°F | 8 mm | 2 | 75% | 5.3 | Excellent 10 |
| June | 21°C 69°F | 20°C 68°F | 9 mm | 1 | 73% | 4.2 | Excellent 10 |
| July | 19°C 67°F | 19°C 66°F | 6 mm | 0 | 74% | 3.7 | Excellent 9.5 |
| August | 19°C 66°F | 18°C 65°F | 5 mm | 0 | 76% | 2.3 | Excellent 8.7 |
| September | 18°C 65°F | 18°C 64°F | 4 mm | 0 | 78% | 1.8 | Excellent 8.4 |
| October | 18°C 65°F | 18°C 64°F | 4 mm | 0 | 80% | 1.8 | Excellent 8.3 |
| November | 19°C 66°F | 18°C 65°F | 3 mm | 0 | 79% | 2.8 | Excellent 8.9 |
| December | 20°C 68°F | 20°C 67°F | 3 mm | 0 | 78% | 4.3 | Excellent 9.8 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Jamestown?
The best time to visit Jamestown is December to July, based on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sunshine.
What is the hottest month in Jamestown?
March is the hottest month in Jamestown, with an average high of 23°C (74°F).
What is the coldest month in Jamestown?
September is the coldest month in Jamestown, with an average low of 18°C (64°F).
What is the rainiest month in Jamestown?
June is the wettest month, with about 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain. December is the driest, with 3 mm (0.1 in).
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