Ascension

This barren and uninhabited island was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1501. The British garrisoned the island in 1815 to prevent a rescue of Napoleon from Saint Helena and it served as a provisioning station for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron on anti-slavery patrol. The island remained under Admiralty control until 1922, when it became a dependency of Saint Helena. During World War II, the UK permitted the US to construct Wideawake airfield on Ascension in support of trans-Atlantic flights to Africa and anti-submarine operations in the South Atlantic. In the 1960s the island became an important space tracking station for the US. In 1982, Ascension was an essential staging area for British forces during the Falklands War, and it remains a critical refuelling point in the air-bridge from the UK to the South Atlantic.
The climate on Ascension Island is subtropical. It is arid and lacking in vegetation until the elevation increases where lush forest and fertile soil exists.
The main settlement is Georgetown where the tourist information office is in the Obsidian Hotel (see Sleep).

Visitors require entry approval from the Administrator's office, requested in advance in writing. They must also have full medical insurance which will cover the expense of medical evacuation, if needed.

By plane

Ascension Island has monthly service from Johannesburg, operated by Airlink. Direct UK fights with long distance aircraft are at present not available because of potholes on the only runway.
Formerly, it was possible to purchase a seat on the military charter flight from RAF Brize Norton close to Oxford in the United Kingdom.

By boat

• The Royal Mail Ship Saint Helena retired from passenger service and its site states that flights are available.

There is no public transport (including taxis) on Ascension. Obsidian offers car rentals for £15/day.

• Fort Hayes

  address: Georgetown

• Fort Thornton

  address: Georgetown

• St. Mary's Anglican Church

  address: Georgetown
  It's part of Diocese of Cape Town along with its counterpart in St. Helena. Built in mid 19th Century as the Naval Church. Has much history laid on the Wall Tablets inside

• Red Lion British Navy Barracks

  address: Green Mountain National Park
  Built in 18th Century in a subtropical forest which covers the Green mountain, and have a very nice clock-tower. Starting point for many trails and "letterbox" walks (which are special because the climate on the mountain are noticeable cooler than on other desert parts of the island)

• The Dew Pond

  address: at the Peak of Green Mountain, Green Mountain National Park
  A destination of a noticeable "letterbox" walk. See how climate zones change during your short 1 mile trip to the 2817ft peak

• Exiles ClubHistorical building, dates back to 1830. There are now some shops in it.

Sport fishing is the main attraction for visitors to Ascension Island. There are also some beaches and ocean swimming in certain coves, such as Comfortless Cove and English Bay. Long Beach, as inviting as it looks, has a very hazardous undertow and is not suitable for sea bathing. However, it is a sheer delight for wildlife fans as this is where sea turtles go to nest. There are a few paths (such as Rupert's Path) suitable for hiking into the more lush highlands, as well as mountainside lava tubes to explore. The British pastime of letterboxing - hiking to a destination that contains a "letterbox" containing a log book and a rubber stamp pad - is possible here.
Ascension Island features what was at one time reputed to be the world's worst golf course. Located between the settlements of Two Boats village and Georgetown, the course has 18 holes and the greens are in fact 'browns', a reference to the sand and oil mix used to make them. The rest of the course is made up of volcanic ash and rock, which makes for some interesting rounds.
There is some terrific Scuba Diving in the waters surrounding Ascension Island. At present, however, there are only local enthusiasts and no recognized Diving Operation. Some of locals are often willing to take experienced visitors with them
There are Fumaroles and Lava Tunnels to explore (at Command Hill, near the Catholic Grotto)

Money

Ascension Island uses the Saint Helena pound (₤) as its currency, which is fixed to the British pound at a value of 1:1. Saint Helena pound can't be obtained outside Saint Helena or Ascension so bring British pounds in cash.

Shopping

The grocery store and almost every other business on the island have really odd hours of operation (for example, the petrol station on Tuesdays is open 2-3 in the afternoon), so make sure you write up the times on the first day.
The Obsidian Hotel has a nice gift shop with some good books and beach vacation-style T-shirts are very famous.

Because everything is imported, prices for food are very high on the island. If you get the chance to go out fishing with the locals, you may walk away with a bag of tuna. Sometimes the community hosts a fish fry that is open to everyone.
There are very few places to eat, with odd opening hours

• The Restaurant

  address: in the Obsidian Hotel, Georgetown
  For dinners bookings are really required.

• Snack Bar

  address: at Volcano Club at the US base
  American-style fast food.

• The Anchor Inn

  address: in the Obsidian Hotel, Georgetown

• The Saints' Club

  address: Georgetown
  The bar opens in evenings.

• Two Boats Club

  address: Two Boats village

• Volcano Club

  address: at the US base
  Seems to be the most crowded venue on the island and has the best selection of alcohols.

The only hotel, Obsidian, with restaurant and car hire, closed September 2017.

Tap water is drinkable.

The country code for Ascension is 247 and the population is too small to need area or trunk STD codes.
The International Prefix is 00.
Subscriber numbers are typically 4 digits long and start with a 2 for the US Base, 3 for Travellers Hill or Airhead, 4 for Two Boats and a 6 or 7 for Georgetown.
Numbers starting with 0 or 5 have been reserved for future Mobile service.
There is a Wi-Fi hotspot in Obsidian Hotel's lobby and patio for £10/day. The Post Office in Georgetown offers a vast array of Philatelic items for sale from the three islands of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha. Airmail is possible, thanks to the airfield.

Saint Helena (island) is obviously the only reasonable destination you can visit from Ascension Island. See Get in/By sea