Ascension Island Government

Explore Ascension Island

This interactive map displays both the natural and historical heritage of Ascension Island.

Royal Marines Barracks – Exiles Club | Heritage Point

Dating back to 1836, the Royal Marines Barracks later served as the Exiles Club for a many number of years. Although the club itself is no longer in existence the building is commonly referred to by the name of its former inhabitants with the ground floor of the premises hosting a number of shops.

Mountain Barracks | Heritage Point

The original mountain barracks for Navy men dating from 1832, later converted to a cattle shed when the barracks were relocated to the Red Lion.

St. Mary's Ascension Island

St Mary’s Church | Heritage Point

St Mary's Church was completed in 1861 and has been carefully renovated many times since. Inside are plaques commemorating many who died on the island both at sea and from illness. The church holds records of births, marriages, and deaths and is still used by the community today.

Red Lion | Heritage Point

An historic mountain barracks and farm worker's residence. It currently houses a display area, lecture theatre and classroom facility.

Comfortless Cove | Heritage Point

A popular recreation spot which served as a fever station in the 19th century, attested to by the several small cemeteries that surround the area.

Fort Cockburn | Heritage Point

The most significant fort on the island, mounted on a rock promontory overlooking Long Beach and the pier. A fort has stood on this site since at least 1822 and the current fort is open to the public throughout the day.

Ascension Island MPA | Marine Protected Area

On 30 August 2019 the Ascension Island Marine Protected Area (MPA) was designated, making it one of the largest MPAs in the world.

North East Point | Conservation Point

North East Point gives a stunning view of Boatswainbird Island and is a haven for spotting birds.

Fort Bedford | Heritage Point

Fort Bedford is the most modern of the three naval forts that were built in Georgetown, constructed between 1903 and 1906. It overlooks Georgetown and Long Beach, and out over Clarence Bay. The guns of the fort were only ever fired once in WWII before the fort was deactivated.

South West Bay | Beach Nature Reserve

South West Bay Nature Reserve contains Pan Am Beach, one of the three main nesting beaches on Ascension for the green turtle.

Turtle Ponds | Area of Historical Interest

These ponds were first built in 1829 to keep green turtles alive before they were sold to ships or eaten on island. This practice stopped in the 1940s. After falling into disrepair from coastal erosion, funding from Blue Marine enabled AIG to restore the turtles ponds for continued community use.

Waterside Fairs | Bird Nature Reserve

Waterside Fairs is part of a rocky stretch of the south coast called the Wideawake Fairs. It is a primary nesting site for sooty terns.

Mars Bay | Bird Nature Reserve

Mars Bay Nature Reserve is part of a rocky stretch of the south coast called the Wideawake Fairs. This is one of the primary nesting sites for sooty terns. Within the nature reserve you can also find Shelly beach and the anchialine pools containing endemic shrimp and slime species.

Letterbox Peninsula | Bird Nature Reserve

A remote nature reserve home to many seabird species and stunning geological scenery.

North East Bay | Beach Nature Reserve

North East Bay is one of the three major beaches that are important nesting sites for green turtles. It is also an important spawning beach for the near-endemic land crabs.

Boatswain Bird Island | Sanctuary

Boatswain Bird Island Sanctuary is a barren, steep island rising to 104m, with a relatively flat top, located off the coast of Letterbox Peninsula. It is a haven for many seabird species to nest without the threat of invasive species. It is also home to endemic species of psuedoscorpion.

Green Mountain | National Park

Green Mountain National Park is full of history and natural beauty. Rising to 859m, the mountain is lush and cool compared to the arid lowlands, with many trails for visitors to explore.

Long Beach | Beach Nature Reserve

Long Beach is just under a kilometre long, adjacent to Georgetown and is the most important nesting beach for green turtles on Ascension Island.