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Lemon Valley

A bay southwest of Jamestown, reachable by boat or a long walk, once a quarantine station.

Updated 3 September 2026

Typebay
WhereSaint Helena
Nearest cityJamestown
Best seasonYear round
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereBoat from Jamestown, or a long walking route down the valley
EntryFree

Lemon Valley cuts down to the sea southwest of Jamestown and has no road: the choices are a boat round the coast or a long walk down the valley from the interior. At the bottom is a shingle bay with the remains of a fortification and of a quarantine station, used in the nineteenth century for ships and later for Africans landed from intercepted slave ships. The water is clear and the bay is used for swimming and snorkelling.

What's there

  • The shingle bay - the shore at the valley's foot with clear water.
  • The fortification remains - the defensive works at the landing.
  • The quarantine station - the buildings used for ships and for liberated Africans.
  • The valley walk - the long route down from the interior.

When to go

Year round; the coast is warm and dry. Swell affects boat landings. The walk down is hot with no shade on the lower sections.

Before you go

There is no road and no facility at the bay. The walking route is long and steep with no water. Boat landings depend on swell.

Nearby

Jamestown is northeast, and Egg Island is northwest along the coast.

What to pack for Lemon Valley

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

  • Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
  • Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
  • Your own mask + snorkel - A well-fitting mask is the single biggest comfort upgrade underwater. Find on Amazon
  • Layers + a waterproof shell - Mountain weather turns fast; a packable rain jacket saves the day. Find on Amazon

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Plan your trip

Where to start if Lemon Valley is going on the list.

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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