Ascension Island (British Overseas Territory) travel advice

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary (Swine Flu) and the Health section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Travel Summary

• Ascension Island is a United Kingdom Overseas Territory. There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation in Ascension Island and the local authorities deal with all requests for consular assistance. (See the General section of this advice for more details.)
  
  
• The only means of air transport to Ascension Island from the UK is with the RAF flying out of RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. Sea travel to Ascension from the UK can be arranged on the twice-yearly sailing of the RMS St Helena or from Cape Town via St Helena. Visitors must be in possession of a valid Entry Permit before travelling to Ascension. These can be obtained from the Ascension Island Government, see the Entry Requirements (Visas) section of this advice.
  
  
• Most visits to Ascension Island are trouble-free.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• A good standard of medical care is available on Ascension Island but it is not free to visitors. Costs can be high and you should ensure that your insurance, which is mandatory for all visitors covers treatment costs, as well as medical evacuation if this becomes necessary. See the Health and General (Insurance) sections of this advice.
  
  
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
  
  

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see terrorism abroad.

Crime

The level of crime on Ascension Island is very low. Crimes or violence against residents or visitors are virtually unknown.

For more general information see victims of crime abroad.

Political situation

Ascension Island Country Profile

Local travel

There is no public transport on the Island, but bus tours with a driver can be arranged. A small number of hire cars are available and the local hotel is usually able to offer transport to and from the airfield on flight days for a reasonable fee. There is a limited taxi service but this has to be pre-booked. The speed limit 20 mph in Georgetown and Two Boats Village, 30 mph when passing the US Base and 40 mph elsewhere. There is only one petrol/diesel station on the island, beside “One Boat” settlement. You should also be aware that wild sheep and donkeys can congregate on the roads, especially during wet weather.

Local laws and customs

You should be aware that drink/drive laws are strictly enforced. There is a £100 fine for dropping litter.

For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

Permission to visit Ascension Island must be obtained at least 28 days in advance from the Administrator, except in real cases of urgency. Entry Permit Applications can be downloaded from the Ascension Island Government website or requested by e-mail to: enquiries@ascension.gov.ac. Completed forms should be returned either by e-mail or by fax to +247 6152

There is an entry permit fee of £11.00 per person (free for children under 12 years). You must have comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover the cost of any treatment and medical evacuation should it be necessary. You must also be able to produce on request evidence of a return air ticket (or other evidence of pre-paid onward travel), pre-booked accommodation and sufficient funds to cover your stay on the island.

Visitors are prohibited from taking employment, paid or unpaid, without first obtaining permission to do so from the Administrator.

Passport validity

On arrival in Ascension Island you must have a passport valid for a minimum of six months.

Health

There is a small hospital in Ascension that is available to deal with day-to-day complaints but sophisticated treatment is not available on the Island. The hospital charges visitors for both outpatient and in-patient treatment. If you need regular supplies of prescription drugs, you should ensure that you bring adequate supplies with you. A UK-qualified dentist is available on the island though as with medical treatment charges are levied.

Mosquitoes do not carry malaria but can nevertheless be a nuisance.

If you intend to participate in diving sports, please note that there is no decompression facility on Ascension, nor are there qualified rescue divers. Visiting divers are strongly recommended to dive with an experienced diver; there is a small diving club on island.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Ascension and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see travel health.

RAF Brize Norton - Testing for Swine Flu

In order to protect MOD operational capability, it has become mandatory for all passengers arriving at RAF Brize Norton Passenger Terminal for check-in to automatically have their temperature tested as a preventative measure for Swine flu, this includes all civilian passengers travelling southbound to Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands. Although this testing is quick and easy, please be aware that it will inevitably cause a slight disruption and delay to the check-in process. If your temperature is found to be of a high enough degree to cause concern you will be given 30 minutes 'cool-down' to allow for re-testing and temperature verification. This could cause some passengers to miss their flight check-in if they arrive too close to the 'Latest Arrival Time' to allow for the completion of this procedure. Therefore, it is recommended that all passengers programme extra time into their travel plans to allow for any possible false negative tests and cool down period.

If any passenger fails the second temperature test after 30 minutes, they will be refused boarding and unable to travel again for a further seven days. Consequently, it is suggested that all passengers keep their transport available until after the testing is completed and civilian passengers are advised to ensure they take out adequate travel insurance to cover such an eventuality.

MOD has advised that they will keep the screening programme under constant review by balancing medical and operational advice accordingly. Anyone who is due to depart from RAF Brize Norton should direct any questions to the Passenger Flight Information Line on 01993 896050.

General

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling and is a requirement for the granting of an Entry Permit. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

Consular assistance

Ascension Island is a United Kingdom Overseas Territory and is part of a legal entity with the islands of St Helena and Tristan da Cunha. The Governor of the island groups resides at Jamestown on St Helena. The Ascension Island Police Force handles all consular protection services. There is no facility for the issuing of replacement UK passports, or UK entry visas, on Ascension Island.

Getting to Ascension Island

Travel to Ascension Island is via RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. The RAF operates a limited fare paying service twice weekly from RAF Brize Norton to Ascension Island, returning northbound at similar intervals. This service can be subject to delays due to hazardous weather conditions, especially during the Southern Hemisphere winter. The flight times to Ascension from the UK is about nine hours. Information on the availability of tickets can be found on the Ascension Island Flights website.

The RMS St Helena operates a twice yearly passenger service from the UK to Ascension and a regular service from St Helena. Information on sailings can be found on the RMS St Helena website: www.rms-st-helena.com

Money

Credit cards are accepted at the local hotel by Cable & Wireless and the NAAFI shop on Travellers Hill, but otherwise are not in general use. There is one bank - the Bank of St Helena - but no cash machines (ATMs). Travellers' cheques are accepted. While the official currency is the St Helena pound, sterling bank notes are accepted in all shops and bars (but not always UK coins) and the US base will accept US Dollars, Sterling or St Helena currency. The St Helena pound is fixed at a rate of one pound Sterling. Foreign currency (including Euros) can be exchanged at the Government Cash Office (not open at weekends) and the same office will cash UK cheques with proof of identity and a cheque guarantee card. There is a charge of 1.5% for cashing cheques.