Ascension Island Basics
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The Basics


Time: Local time in Ascension Island is GMT. (GMT -1 between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. Flat three-pin plugs are standard.

Money: The currency in use on Ascension Island is the Saint Helena Pound which is fixed to the British Pound Sterling. This is divided into 100 pence. Saint Helena banknotes are accepted on Ascension Island and Saint Helena only. They cannot be exchanged in UK banks. Notes and coins are the same as in Great Britain apart from the design British money is accepted all over the island as well as the US dollar at Cat Hill (US Base). UK Pound Sterling banknotes are accepted on Ascension. Some outlets also accept US Dollars.

Note: These rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: English is the official language.

Entry requirements for Americans: US travellers must hold a valid passport and entry permit.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK Nationals require a valid passport and entry permit to enter Ascension Island.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals must hold a valid passport and entry permit.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australian nationals must hold a valid passport and entry permit.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals must hold a valid passport and entry permit.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals must hold a valid passport and entry permit.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport and entry permit.

Passport/Visa Note: All visitors to Ascension Island require entry approval prior to travel. All visitors must complete and return the 'Ascension Island Entry Permit' before travelling. The entry permit is the equivalent of a travel visa. This applies to all visitors who intend to clear passport control, including those who are transferring from ship to plane and vice versa. A medical insurance is required. Maximum stay on the island extends up to 3 months.

Travel Health: Medical insurance is required when visiting Ascension Island. No vaccination is required before travel but a vaccination against yellow fever is recommended in case of a flight/ship being diverted to a risk area (Africa). Non-malarial mosquitoes can be a nuisance and travellers should arm themselves with mosquito repellent. A small hospital is available to deal with day-to-day complaints but sophisticated treatment is not available on the Island. Travellers should carry adequate supplies of prescription medication. A UK-qualified dentist is available on the island. Travellers planning on diving should be aware that there is no decompression facility on Ascension, nor are there qualified rescue divers.

Tipping: Tips of 10 to 15% are expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels in Ascension Island if a service charge hasn't been included. Other services are discretionary.

Safety Information: The level of crime on Ascension Island is very low. Crimes or violence against residents or visitors are virtually unheard of. Visitors hiring cars should be aware that wild sheep and donkeys can congregate on the roads, especially during wet weather.

Local Customs: Customs in Ascension Island are much like those of the UK with handshaking being customary when introduced to someone new.

Business: Business is conducted much like in the UK. Politeness and punctuality are key to good business relations, and initial meetings are often conducted formally and impersonally, becoming more open and social as things progress. Business cards are exchanged at introductions. Dress is formal, with dark suits preferred. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.

Communications: The international dialling code for Ascension Island is +247. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (eg. 0044 for the united Kingdom). Prepaid phone cards and telephones are available from Cable and Wireless Ascension Island. Most hotels provide Internet connections.

Duty Free: Travellers to Ascension Island over 16 years with goods purchased personal consumption do not have to pay duty on these goods provided they are for personal use or are gifts for family and friends. This does not apply to large quantities of alcohol or tobacco if the amounts exceed the following limits: 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco, 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of wine or 12 x 340ml beer.