Ascension

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Ascension Island is an islands of the Atlantic Ocean|island in the Atlantic Ocean, just south of the equator, 700 miles northwest of Saint Helena (island) | Saint Helena and the United Kingdom territory by which it is administered.

About 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 (island) | Saint Helena. During World War II and 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 crucial 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).

Travel to Ascension

SH-Ascension - upright=1.9|Map of Ascension Island ASCENSION ISLAND - FT. HAYES - Fort Hayes ASCENSION ISLAND - ST. MARY'S ANGLICAN CHURCH - St. Mary's Church ASCENSION ISLAND - GEORGETOWN - The Exiles Club

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.


Travel by plane to Ascension

Ascension Island is expected to be without regular flights until at least 2019 because of potholes on the only runway.

Formerly, it was feasible to purchase a seat on the military charter flight from RAF Brize Norton close to Oxford in the United Kingdom.Individual return tickets cost around £920 (June, 2010), booked at least 28 days in advance. Group and students discounts were available. Contact Ascension Island Travel Agency, ☎ +247 6500, Fax: +247 6827

Travel by boat to Ascension

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

Transportation in Ascension

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

What to See

  • Fort Hayes | Georgetown - There are signs pointing to it near the port - Opening Hours: Monday 5PM Monday - 7PM, Saturday 10AM Monday - noon, or by special arrangement if feasible (call 2326 (W) or 2455 (H))
  • Fort Thornton | Georgetown - Across the port from Fort Hayes
  • St. Mary's Anglican Church | 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 | 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 | 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 Club - Marine Barracks - Historical building, dates back to 1830. There are now some shops in it.

Muslim Travel Tips

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 thit 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 feasible 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 and 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 and there are only local enthusiasts and no recognized Diving Operation. Some of local residents are often willing to take experienced visitors with them

There are Fumaroles and Lava Tunnels to explore (at Command Hill, near the Catholic Grotto)

What to buy in Ascension

Money Matters & ATM's in Ascension

Ascension Island uses the Saint Helena pound (₤) as its currency, which is fixed to the British pound at a value of 1:1.

Shopping in Ascension

The grocery store and almost every other business on the island have really odd hours of operation (for example and 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.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Ascension

Because everything is imported, prices for food are very high on the island. If you get the chance to go out fishing with the local residents, 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 | in the Obsidian Hotel, Georgetown - Opening Hours: Breakfast 7:30AM Monday - 9AM; dinner 7PM Monday - 8:30PM For dinners bookings are really required.
  • Snacks Cafe | at Volcano Club at the US base - Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 5PM Monday - 9PM, Saturday 4PM Monday - 9PM (last orders at 8:50PM) American-style fast food.
  • The Anchor Inn | in the Obsidian Hotel, Georgetown - Opening Hours: 6:30PM Monday - 11PM daily
  • The Saints' Club | Georgetown - The café opens in evenings.
  • Two Boats Club | Two Boats village - Opening Hours: The café is open from 7:30PM
  • Volcano Club | at the US base - Opening Hours: From 5PM Seems to be the most crowded venue on the island and has the best selection of none-alcohols.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Ascension

Ascension - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Ascension, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ascension. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Ascension and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Ascension. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Ascension. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Ascension: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Ascension.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Ascension: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Ascension, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Ascension.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Ascension, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Ascension, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Ascension and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Ascension, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Ascension, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Ascension without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ascension is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Ascension.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Ascension is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Ascension, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Ascension Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Ascension

Ramadan 2025 in Ascension

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

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

Medical Issues in Ascension

Tap water is drinkable.

Telecommunications in Ascension

The country code for Ascension is 247 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 Street Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha. Airmail is feasible, thanks to the airfield.

Where to travel next from Ascension

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

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