GOV.UK
Foreign travel advice
St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Safety and security
Crime
Crime levels are low.
See Victims of Crime
Local travel
St Helena
Many roads on St Helena are single lanes. Speed limits are signed across the island but drivers are unlikely to travel at speeds in excess of 30 miles an hour or above third gear. Vehicles travelling downhill must give way to those travelling uphill. Driving is on the left. Drink drive laws are strictly applied with a limit of 50 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Public transport on St Helena is very limited but hire cars are available.
Ascension
There is no public transport on Ascension Island, but bus tours with a driver can be arranged.
The speed limit is 20 mph in Georgetown and Two Boats Village, and when passing the US Base. It is either 30mph or 40 mph elsewhere.
Wild sheep and donkeys can gather on the roads, especially during wet weather.
Tristan da Cunha
You’re not allowed to hike up the Base or to Marys Peak unless accompanied by a Tristan guide. Trips to areas away from the main settlement on Tristan, including to Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands, must be made with a guide for safety reasons. A fee is payable and an indemnity declaration must be signed. You need prior approval from the Administrator to visit Gough Island, which is 200 miles away by sea to the south. Permission to land will rarely be granted as Gough is a World Heritage Site. If you intend to hill walk, fish or undertake any pursuit away from the Settlement, seek the advice of a local guide and let others know where you are going and when you intend to return. This especially applies if you intend to climb The Peak, which requires a high level of fitness and an early start.
Getting to St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
St Helena
St Helena airport offers weekly flights via Windhoek to Johannesburg provided by SA Airlink.
Ascension
Due to runway repairs required to the Ascension Island runway, the Ministry of Defence has temporarily rerouted the South Atlantic Airbridge via an alternative location. Until further notice, the only means of access to Ascension Island is via a monthly flight from Johannesburg via St Helena. You should contact your travel agent, local tour booking office, or Ascension Island employer for the latest up-to-date information.
There is limited accommodation available to tourists on Ascension Island.
Tristan da Cunha
Travel to the Island is by sea only. Fishing vessels from Cape Town visit the Island nine times a year, and there is one annual visit made by a South African research vessel in September/October. Due to the limited harbour facilities, vessels have to anchor offshore and passengers are ferried by smaller local boats. This can be hazardous in bad weather. Approaching bad weather can mean that you have to return to your ship ahead of schedule. Fishing requirements may mean that ships need to depart Tristan ahead of schedule.
Consular assistance
Ascension
The Ascension Island Police Detachment handles all consular protection services. There is no facility for issuing replacement UK passports or UK entry visas.
Tristan da Cunha
If you need consular assistance, contact the local police (telephone 2010). If you need a replacement or emergency passport, contact the Administrator’s office at the Government offices in the Settlement.
Contact details
UK - Representative for St Helena
St Helena Government UK Representative, Alliance House, 12 Caxton Street, London, SW1H 0QS
Telephone: 0203 818 7610
Fax: 0203 159 5151
Mobile: 07989 404 654
Email: shgukrep@sthelenagov.com
South Africa – Project Administrator Manager
Mr John Scipio
Enterprise St Helena
1st Floor
Convention Towers
Cnr of Heerengracht and Coen Steytler Street
Cape Town
8001
Telephone: + 27 21 403 6366
Fax + 27 21 403 6301
Mobile + 27 72 877 9571
Email: john.scipio@esh.co.sh
Office of Tourism
The Canister, Jamestown, St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean, STHL 1ZZ
Telephone: 00 290 22158
Fax: 00 290 22159
Email: enquiries@tourism.gov.sh
Office Hours: GMT: (Local Time = GMT) Mon-Fri: 08:30-12:30 and 13:00-16:00.