Sandy Bay

Sandy Bay is the wild south of Saint Helena, a deep bowl of eroded volcanic ridges in red, ochre and grey that falls from the central peaks to a black sand beach. Two rock pillars, Lot and Lot's Wife, stand above the valley like figures from a story. The most popular walk on the island leads down from the ridge to Lot's Wife's Ponds, natural rock pools filled by the waves where hikers swim beside the ocean. The descent is steep and exposed and takes about two hours each way. On the beach, the ruins of old gun batteries still guard a landing no ship ever used.