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St Helena Port Control wishes to remind the public that Rupert’s is the primary location of St Helena’s official commercial port, and access to the beach and surrounding area is managed strictly for public safety according to and depending on cargo operations.
To help you plan your visit this summer, here is a simple guide to the three access levels for the Rupert’s Cargo Management Facility:
Access Level 3: Vessel Alongside – Bay and Beach are FULLY CLOSED
This is the highest access level and is in effect when the main cargo ship or fuel tanker is alongside at Rupert’s Jetty.
| Status | Details |
| Beach Access | CLOSED. No public access to the beach area. |
| Bay Access | CLOSED. No swimming, boating, or public access to the water. |
| Vehicular/Foot Access | Restricted to authorised personnel only. Not open to the public. |
Please note:If a vessel is berthed alongside Rupert’s Jetty and relevant operations are underway and/or safety and security protocols are required, the entire bay and beach are closed for your safety and to comply with international security laws.
Access Level 2: Cargo Collection – Beach OPEN via Footpath
This level is in effect after a service vessel has departed, but while cargo operations are still underway, involving the movement and assortment of cargo within the main facility area.
| Status | Details |
| Beach Access | OPEN to the public via the designated footpath. |
| Bay Access | OPEN for swimming, boating, and other maritime use. |
| Vehicular Access | Restricted to authorised personnel only. The public is not permitted to drive or park in the lower facility area without approval from Port Control. |
Please note: You can enjoy the beach and bay, but please park elsewhere and use the footpath to stay clear of cargo operations.
Access Level 1: No Cargo Operations – All areas OPEN
This is the least restrictive level, meaning no cargo operations are underway that will impact public access.
| Status | Details |
| Beach Access | OPEN (Normal access) |
| Bay Access | OPEN (Normal maritime use) |
| Vehicular Access | The public road is open for driving. The public is permitted to drive and park in order to access the beach and bay. |
Please note: The main cargo yards remain restricted, but the beach, bay, and public road are fully open.
Planned Vessel Arrivals
The Access Level 3 Closure (Bay and Beach Fully Closed) is activated when the main cargo vessel, the MV Karoline, arrives. Please be aware of the following provisional dates for the summer season:
| Voyage | Estimated Arrival Date | Expected Closure Type |
| MACS V23 | Saturday, 07 February 2026 | Cargo (MV Karoline) |
| MACS V24 | Thursday, 05 March 2026 | Cargo (MV Karoline) |
| MACS V25 | Sunday, 05 April 2026 | Cargo (MV Karoline) |
Important Note: The Access Level 3 Closure typically lasts between 1 to 3 days following the arrival of the vessel. Closures are also enforced for fuel tankers and other critical shipping. All dates are provisional and subject to change due to weather or operational issues.
For the most accurate and up-to-the-minute confirmation of the current access level and precise closure times, please check the latest updates via:
- Radio Announcements
- SHG Social Media Channels
- Official SHG Public Announcements
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these periods.
The public are advised that Pilling Primary School (PPS) will host their Festival of Lights Parade on Thursday, 18 December 2025 commencing at 19:45.
Vehicle owners are kindly requested to remove their vehicles from the Grand Parade/Court House area on Thursday, 18 December by 16:00 to allow the school to prepare for the evening’s event.
Please also note that the 3-4 parking spaces immediately in front of the Court House steps will be closed from Wednesday, 17 December, to allow a small stage to be mounted for the Festival of Lights.
All of the above arrangements have been approved by the Highways Authority.
PPS would like to thank the public in advance for their understanding and co-operation.
SHG
16 December 2025
The MV Karoline is scheduled to arrive at James Bay on Tuesday, 17 December at 18:00. Weather permitting, the vessel will berth alongside Rupert’s Jetty.
During this time, Rupert’s Cargo Management Facility, The beach, jetty, and Rupert’s Bay will be under Security Access Level 3. This means these areas will be restricted to authorised personnel only. Access will remain restricted until all cargo operations are completed and the vessel has departed.
Once the vessel departs, security will reduce to Access Level 2. At this level, only the Cargo Management Facility will remain restricted during normal working hours (08:00–17:00).
The beach, jetty, and Rupert’s Bay will reopen to the public and can be accessed via the public walkway beginning at Liberation House or via the Ferry Service (charges apply).
After working hours, the Security Access Level will reduce to Level 1, allowing vehicular access through the facility.
St Helena Port Control thanks the public for their cooperation and understanding.
SHG
15 December 2025
Please be advised that the St Helena Secondary School office will be closed for the December holidays from Wednesday, 17 December 2025.
Normal opening hours will resume on 5 January 2026.
SHG
15 December 2025
The Post and Customer Services Centre wishes to inform all customers that the closing date for local mail before Christmas will be Friday, 12 December 2025, via the main Post Office. Failing to post by this date will cause delays and may mean that mail is not delivered to the Sub-Post Offices for collection before Christmas.
SHG
5 December 2025
The Immigration and Customs office at Liberation House in Ruperts will be closed to the public on the following dates:
- Tuesday, 9 December 2025, for operational training at the airport. Normal operations will resume on Wednesday, 10 December 2025.
- Friday, 12 December 2025, from 12 noon for a team building/staff function. Normal operations will resume on Monday, 15 December 2025
SHG
8 December 2025
The following changes to the public transport bus schedule will apply for the festive season:
- Route 4: (Blue Hill) The bus normally departing from Blue Hill on the last Thursday of each month, will operate on Thursday, 18 December 2025.
- Route 4: (Sandy Bay Chapel) The bus normally departing from Sandy Bay Chapel on the last Friday of each month, will operate on Friday, 19 December 2025.
Service Changes
- Only the everyday routes will operate on 25, 26, 30 December 2025 and 1 January 2026 as per the published timetables.
- For Routes 2 and 3, the scheduled service departing Grand Parade at 16:10 (Monday to Fridays) will not operate between 25 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. Normal service will resume on 2 January 2026.
Additional Services
Thursday 18 December – Festival of Lights
Route 1: Departs Bottom Woods at 18:00, follows the normal route into Jamestown. Return service will depart the Grand Parade, Jamestown at 22:30.
Route 3: Departs White Wall at 18.00, via New Ground, Rosemary Plain, White Gate, HTH into Jamestown. Return service will depart the Grand Parade, Jamestown at 22:30.
Wednesday 24 December – Christmas Eve
Routes 1 and 3: Service to Longwood and St Paul’s area, will depart the Grand Parade Jamestown at midnight 24 December 2025.
Thursday 1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
Routes 1 and 3: Service to Longwood and St Paul’s area, will depart the Grand Parade, Jamestown at 01:30 following New Year’s Eve celebrations.
For normal scheduled journeys, please see the timetables at bus shelters around the island, online at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/public-services/publictransportservice/, speak to the public transport drivers, or contact the Transport Section on 23208 / 23643 during normal office hours. Please be reminded that you have various options on times you can travel in and out of Jamestown using the current schedule.
Ticket fares
- Short journey (up to 3 miles) £2.45
- Medium journey (up to 6 miles) £3.15
- Long journey (6 + miles) £3.60
SHG
8 December 2025
The public are advised that the Jamestown Wharf will be closed to all members of the public from 06:00 on Friday, 12December 2025, due to the arrival of the cruise ship MV Azamara Journey. Thisarea will remain closed until the vessel has departed the port.
Access to the Jamestown Wharf will be strictly prohibited and is limited only to those who have made prior arrangements with Port Control.
Boat owners are also advised that during the time the ship is in port, no maintenance work will be permitted to be carried out on their vessels while it remains on the wharf.
SHG
09 December 2025
The cruise ship Azamara Journey will arrive in St Helena on Friday morning, 12 December 2025. There are approximately 700 passengers and approximately 400 crew on-board.
Tours will depart at 09:00 from Jamestown Wharf.
It is expected that the passengers will carry the following currencies: Euros, Dollars and GBP. Currency rate of exchange information is available from the Bank of St Helena and the Tourist Office.
There is a wide range of nationalities on-board, with the main nationalities being Australian, Canadian, British, and American. The Azamara Journey will depart St Helena around 18:00.
Temporary One-way Traffic System
The public are advised thata temporary one-way system will be in place in the direction of Gordons Post to Hutts Gate along Tomb Road on Friday, 12 December 2025, from 09:00 to 15:00.
Traffic wishing to travel in the opposite direction will be diverted from Hutts Gate to Gordons Post via The Dungeon, as per the map below:
The one-way system will be clearly signed and will be removed as soon as no longer required.
The one-way system has been put in place to safely manage traffic and ease congestion, given the anticipated increase in vehicle volumes due to the visit of the Azamara Quest cruise ship. This is the same process as has been put in place in previous years, and for the last cruise ship visit, and is likely to also be a feature during future cruise ship visits.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their understanding in this matter.
SHG
09 December 2025
The Veterinary Service would like to inform the public that their last mobile service for 2025 will take place on Thursday, 18 December, from 12:00- 14:00 at the Grand Parade in Jamestown.
Services will resume in the new year on Friday, 30 January 2026 (the last Friday of January), from 12:00 – 14:00 at the Grand Parade in Jamestown.
The public are thanked for their continued support.
SHG
09 December 2025