Ascension Island travel guide

Getting there

Access is limited to infrequent flights into Wideawake Airfield and occasional ship calls, and all visitors need prior permission from the island's government. Check the latest transport arrangements well in advance.

Best time to visit: Jan–Apr for turtle nesting; pleasant warm weather most of the year.

Tougher months: No bad time - the climate is warm and dry all year, though July-September can bring rougher seas and Atlantic rollers.

Weather by month in Georgetown

• 29°J
• 30°F
• 31°M●
• 31°A●
• 30°M●
• 29°J
• 28°J
• 27°A
• 27°S
• 27°O
• 28°N
• 28°D

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Source and more: Ascension Island travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Ascension Island are based around Georgetown, Green Mountain or Long Beach. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$100–150 for a backpacker and US$150–250 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Ascension Island page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: G. Voltage: 240 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +247.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Georgetown (West coast · capital): The tiny main settlement with historic naval buildings, a fort, a museum and the island's few shops.
• Green Mountain (Island centre · cloud forest): A lush, misty peak transformed from bare cinder by 19th-century planting, with trails and sweeping views.
• Long Beach (Near Georgetown · turtles): The island's main turtle nesting beach, best visited on a guided night walk.
• Comfortless Cove (North-west · swimming): A sheltered cove with an old cemetery nearby, popular for swimming and snorkelling.
• Boatswain Bird Island (East coast · seabirds): A sheer offshore stack that is a protected seabird sanctuary, viewed from the coast or by boat.
• English Bay (North coast · beach): A sandy bay with calm conditions on good days, used for picnics and swimming.

Things to do

• Watch green turtles nest. Join a night-time walk on Long Beach to see huge green turtles dig nests in the sand during nesting season.
• Climb Green Mountain. Hike up through bamboo, ferns and misty forest to the dew pond at the summit of this planted cloud forest.
• Hunt for letterboxes. Follow the island's walking trails to find hidden letterbox stamps tucked away at remote viewpoints.
• Snorkel with sea life. Slip into calm coves to spot black triggerfish, moray eels and other marine life in clear Atlantic water.
• Go deep-sea fishing. Head offshore on a charter for tuna, wahoo and marlin in some of the Atlantic's richest fishing waters.
• Explore Georgetown's history. Wander past old naval stores, Fort Hayes and the small museum telling the island's garrison story.
• See the seabird colonies. Look out to Boatswain Bird Island, a guano-white stack crowded with boobies, noddies and tropicbirds.
• Swim at Comfortless Cove. Take a dip at one of the island's few sheltered bathing spots, ringed by black lava.

Source: full Ascension Island guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Fresh tuna – line-caught in local waters
• Wahoo – grilled local game fish
• Fish cakes – a favourite across the South Atlantic islands
• Sunday roast – classic British pub meal

Source: RoamSun Ascension Island guide

Money and safety

Currency: Saint Helena pound (SHP). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Not expected but appreciated.

Emergency numbers: 999 all services.

• The island uses the St Helena pound, held at par with the British pound sterling, which is also accepted.
• Card acceptance and cash access are limited, so check payment options before arrival and bring sufficient funds.
• Crime is very low, but the sun is fierce - use strong sunscreen and carry plenty of water on hikes.
• Swim only in sheltered spots; rollers and strong currents make many beaches dangerous.

Source: RoamSun Ascension Island facts