Atlantic Crossing | Part 2 - Welcome to St Helena Island

2,000 miles of open ocean behind you. The anchor drops. And suddenly… life on land feels foreign. This is Part 2 of our Atlantic crossing aboard Balance 526 Väster — and it's less about sailing, and more about what happens when you arrive somewhere so remote, so real, and so utterly unlike anywhere else on earth, that it stops you in your tracks. St Helena Island sits alone in the South Atlantic. No cruise ship crowds. No tourist traps. Just 4,500 warm souls, 699 steps of sheer grit, a fish fry that brings the whole town together, and a restaurant that sailors have been talking about for decades. We were lucky enough to share the anchorage with Windigo — the first ever Balance 580 to make this passage — which made an already extraordinary landfall feel like something even more special. This is what the Balance community looks like when it meets on the water. Onboard Väster: – Dean Paarman (Balance Catamarans) – Kirk & Catherine Brunsen (Owners) – Josh Solomon (Captain) Boat: Balance 526 Väster 🌍 Read the full story: 👉 https://balancecatamarans.com/atlantic-crossing-part-2/ (link live soon) 🔗 Miss Part 1? Cape Town to St Helena: 👉 https://balancecatamarans.com/atlantic-crossing-part-1/ 🏝️ Planning a stop at St Helena? Here's what you need to know: St Helena is one of the most remote islands on earth — and one of the most rewarding stops on any Atlantic passage. A subtropical paradise where mountainous terrain and microclimates create an astounding diversity of landscapes, all within a few minutes' drive. St Helena Tourism 🧭 Start here: 👉 Official St Helena Tourism: https://sthelenatourism.com 👉 Visitor Information (St Helena Government): https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/visitors/ 🍽️ Anne's Place — Don't skip it. A family-run institution in Jamestown, tucked behind Castle Gardens, known for traditional home-cooked local cuisine — St Helena fish cakes, fresh local fish, and a warm welcome that sailors never forget. St Helena Tourism Its ceiling is a canopy of flags from vessels all over the world, each signed by the crew. Visitors' books tell the story of decades of passages. St Helena Island We left a new log book and started a Balance sticker tradition on the phone booth — keep it going. 👉 https://sthelenatourism.com/restaurants/annes-place/ 🐟 The Wednesday Night Fish Fry at the Yacht Club On Wednesday nights, it feels as if all of Jamestown turns out for the weekly fish fry, held quayside along the harbour. With cold drinks, sea air and animated conversation, the St Helena Yacht Club reveals itself as a true community hub and a welcoming haven for visitors. Become a member. It costs almost nothing (5GBP) and it means everything. 🚗 Hire a car and drive the interior — we can't recommend this enough. Car hire is the most practical way to explore the island. Sainthelenaisland All hire is through small local businesses — personal, affordable, and far better than any chain. Book well in advance as demand is high, not just from visitors but from returning Saints as well. St Helena Tourism 👉 Car hire listings: https://sthelenatourism.com/hire-types/rental-car-hire/ 🪜 Jacob's Ladder — You have to do it. 699 steps between lower Jamestown and Ladder Hill Fort, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into the island's history. St Helena Tourism 280 metres of walking distance. 185 metres of elevation. Average 40-degree incline. Don't say we didn't warn you. 📖 For visiting sailors — everything you need: 👉 https://sainthelenaisland.info/visiting_by_yacht/ 👉 Noonsite port info: https://www.noonsite.com/place/st-helena/jamestown/ 💳 Practical tip: Card acceptance is limited. Bring British pounds (GBP = SHP on island) or set up the Bank of St Helena Tourist Card before you arrive. 🛥️ About Balance Catamarans: 👉 https://balancecatamarans.com 📸 Instagram: @balancecatamarans 📘 Facebook: /BalanceCatamarans ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Atlantic Passage Recap 00:07 Landfall at St Helena 01:10 Yacht Club and Windigo Meetup 02:44 Fuel Work and Rest Day 03:18 Permission to Fish 03:43 Fish Fry Gig Prep 04:25 Annes and Jamestown Stroll 05:01 Live Music Night 09:27 Island Drive and Roadside Shop 11:29 Departure Prep and Customs 12:59 Provisioning and Deep Clean 15:03 Cliffs and Jacobs Ladder 17:17 Farewell and Next Leg Make sure you're subscribed — Part 3 is coming as we cross to Fernando de Noronha on the other side of the Atlantic. Stay in balance.