Sandy Bay is one of eight districts of the island of Saint Helena, part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena. Sandy Bay is a valley in the south of the island, leading south-east from the heights of the Diana’s Peak range to the sea. Although you might expect its exposure to the Trade Winds would make it an uncomfortable place, the angle of the valley seems to give Sandy Bay a calm and gentle climate. The upper reaches are lush and farmed – much of the island’s coffee is grown here, as are bananas. The lower extent is arid. Many fish from the rocks either side of Sandy Bay Beach.
Only 5% of the island’s population live in Sandy Bay{1}, making it the second least populous district.
Beaches are in short supply on St Helena; mostly the land meets the sea in a vertical cliff. Jamestown has an area known as the Seaside, but there is no sand, only rocks, and most of the area is taken up with the wharf. Ruperts also has a small beach but because of the industrial nature of the valley is used mostly as a barbecue venue. Sandy bay has a large sandy beach – albeit with black volcanic sand – which is ideal for beach activities such as a family picnic, though there is a dangerous undercurrent which makes swimming inadvisable.
