- Watch the Green Turtles Laying and Hatching
Season runs from December to June. Turtles can be found in many locations, but Long Beach, next to Georgetown, is probably the best location. They almost always lay their eggs at night when it is dark, however, please do your watch before 2300 hr-s, so if a turtle is disturbed, she will have a chance to try again. Don't use a torch, approach from the rear and don't take any photographs until she is well into the egg laying phase or returning to the sea. When the hatchlings emerge, they wait until it is dark and the sand has cooled, before trying to reach the sea. If they try to cross the beach in daylight, the birds often get them before they reach the water. I would recommend booking with the Conservation group for a turtle talk and watch. These happen on Monday and Thursday evenings at 9pm and costs £5 per person. They show you a video then take you down to Long Beach where they will try and find a turtle laying their eggs and some babies, depending on the time of year. The Conservation office on the main road through Georgetown and is open from 1000 - 1200 hours Monday to Saturday and at other times on an ad hoc basis. Ext. 6359.
- Walk up Green Mountain and get a Stamp in your Passport
Ascension Island offers an infinite variety of landscapes. From the dense lush vegetation on Green Mountain, to the spectacular volcanic landscapes found elsewhere. There are many good walks on the island, some easy, some severe, often with splendid views. Many of the walks are known as "letterbox" walks" with rubber stamps to validate your achievement in a map book. The book can be purchased from the Tourist Information Office in the Obsidian Hotel. Some routes are hazardous and expert advice should be sought before attempting any of them. For safety reasons, we recommend a minimum of 3 people to do a walk together.
One of the most popular walks is at the top of Green Mountain. You can drive up there and park just before the Red Lion (sorry it's not a pub!) From the Red Lion follow the track up past the old pig farm and on to the cow sheds. Take the path sign posted to the Dew Pond. The path is well marked, but sometimes can be overgrown and is very often muddy. The top section gets very steep and there is a boardwalk & rope for you to help get to the top - not as difficult as it sounds. You can do this with children. The pond was built in the 1870's and an anchor chain just past the pond marks the highest point (2817ft) on the island.
- Visit the Blow Hole at Hannays Beach
Take a short drive from Two Boats down Watson's Way towards the North East Bay, when the road forks right. Park past the Ariane tracking station, then walk away from the station down to the beach where you will find the blow hole. Don't forget your camera! There are lots of rock pools here which are full of fish - a great place to visit with children.
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Take a dip at Comfortless Cove or English Bay
For Comfortless Cove turn off at One Boat and take a drive down to Pyramid Point Road. Follow the track to the left before the 'golf ball' then walk down to the beach. Enjoy a swim and relax on the beach, but before you leave pay a visit to the Bonetta Cemetery at the back of the cove. The Cemetery dates from 1838. It is where victims of yellow fever from among crews of ships patrolling the coast of West Africa were laid to rest.
To get to English Bay turn right off Pyramid Point Road, onto English Bay Road. Go past the BBC Atlantic Relay Station, take the left turn just before the power station and follow the road down to the main beach. There is a good barbecue and covered area should you want some shade down on the beach.
Both beaches are excellent for snorkelling as there is a great variety of marine life to be seen.
NB: These are the only two beaches where you can swim and even then, do not swim if there is any swell running. Over the years several people have been killed by swells lifting them and dumping them on the rocks.
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Take a walk through the WIDEAWAKE (Sooty) Tern Colony
This is seasonal and will depend on when the terns are nesting on Wideawake fairs at the back of the airfield. Please get advice from the conservation people in Georgetown if you want to go there on your own otherwise you take trips out on a Wednesday at 1000 hrs (for 2 hours) with the conservation office. Cost is £5 per person.
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Visit St Mary's Church Georgetown
Built by the Royal Marines in 1843, St. Mary's Church contains many interesting memorial stones and gives a real taste of Ascension Island history. It also contains stained-glass windows in memory of those men who lost their lives in the Falklands. St. Mary's is open 24 hours a day and the door is only closed to keep out the donkeys.
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Take a Drive up the NASA road to The Devils Ashpit
As you drive up the road watch out for the yellow and purple land crabs, which live in burrows on the side of the road. They like to live quite high up on land, only returning to the seashore to breed and lay their eggs on the beaches near the high water marks. At the end of the road you will see the old NASA control building. This area is the starting point for several walks on the east of the island. If you are equipped to do some walking, the Weather Post and Devil's Cauldron are worth the effort from this point as they give the best views of Boatswain Bird Island.
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Go Big Game Fishing
Fishing is a very popular pastime at Ascension, both as a hobby and to supplement the diet and many people fish either from the shore or boats. The waters around the island host a wide variety of fish. Offshore can be found such species as Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado and shark. Inshore Grouper, Bullseye and Congor Eel can be found.
There are several skippered boats (with fishing gear included) available for hire at reasonable rates. Contact numbers for local fisherman can be obtained from the reception at the Obsidian Hotel. Should you want to purchase fishing equipment, there is a shop situated in the Exiles building who specialise in fishing rods and all the necessary equipment.
NOTE - Fishing from the rocks around Ascension can be dangerous due to tidal surges and unpredictability of the sea state. Before attempting ANY form of fishing on Ascension, you should be wise to seek the advice of an experienced fisherman.
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Visit the Museum
Fort Hayes Museum and Photo Gallery us run by the Ascension Island Heritage Society, and is well worth a visit. It is packed with information, photographs, historical facts and hands on things for the kids.
From the road to the side of the Saints Club, heading towards the pier, the museum is sign posted to the left. Follow down the hill and the main museum building is on the left. On the right is Fort Hayes itself and part of the museum is under it.
The museum is only open on a Saturday, from 1100 til 1300 hrs and it is free to visit. Tours on request can be organised, but a small donation is usually accepted for special openings.
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Vist a Fumerole
Fumeroles are formed when large air pockets appear in red hot lava as a volcano erupts. When the lava cools a fumerole or cave evolves. There are many fumeroles and caves around the island to explore. A good one to visit with kids is the fumerole behind Command Hill, as it is easy to find and fairly easy walking to get to it. The reception at the Obsidian Hotel holds a folder that is full of fumeroles to visit and maps how to get there.
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Go Diving (Experienced Divers Only)
The diving conditions are usually excellent with clear warm water and a wide variety of marine life. Sea conditions are particularly variable from November to May. Large swells can build up which can make diving impossible. There are no rescue or hypabaric facilities on the island, so safety is paramount, with divers having to take full responsibility for their actions. Conservative dive profiles, safety stops and voluntary depth limits make sense when the nearest recompression chamber is at least 8 hours flight away.
The base dive club is happy for divers from MPA to join them providing they are BSAC qualified and have a current diving medical. The club dive 2/3 times each month (usually on a Sunday). The cost is £10 per dive or £25 for a 6 month membership with the club.
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Get Some Exercise
Gym
The gym at Travellers Hill is well equipped with squash court, cycling machines and weight training equipment. Various sports happen on a regular basis and anyone can join in - extra bodies always welcome! The PTI holds some equipment such as snorkels and masks (for both adults and kids) for the R&R visitors, which can be used during your stay. The PTI is usually in the gym office between 0900 and 1030 hrs on the day after a flight arrives to issue these items, or you can contact him at other times on ext 3318.
Tennis
There are tennis courts in Georgetown, Travellers Hill, Two Boats Village and the American base. All these courts are free to use.
Swimming Pools
In Georgetown there is a small saltwater swimming pool that is open all day, but there is no lifeguard. Head towards the pier and as you reach the bottom of the hill turn right. About 150 metres on your right you will find the pool. It is free to use.
At Two Boats Village there is a fresh water swimming pool situated behind the Two Boats Club that is free to use. There is no lifeguard and entry is gained via a keypad on the gate. The entry code is 231.
The pool at Travellers Hill is for the more serious swimmer. There are sun loungers round the pool and there is a lifeguard. Access is limited - time can vary so check once you are in Ascension.
Golf
Golf is a very popular game in Ascension. The 18-hole golf course at One Boat (about half way between Georgetown and Two Boats) offers a unique environment to play golf. The "greens" are called "browns" and are made of crushed compacted lava smoothed flat with diesel oil and around the edges of the fairways large boulders of volcanic rock can be found. It is a very challenging course and it is recommended that you play with a local who is familiar with the course.
The golf course is open 7 days a week. The cost is £2.50* for a 9-hole game and £5.00*for a full round. There is a friendly match played every Thursday afternoon, which anyone can join in. *Prices are subject to change.
NOTE - You must provide your own golf clubs or try the gym at Travellers Hill who may have spare clubs