Ascension Island is blessed with 32 stunningly beautiful white sand beaches lapped by warm tropical water. These beaches are as beautiful as you will find anywhere in the world.
Before you get too excited however, the majority of these are inaccessible except by sea or long hard bush walks (sort of contradicts the concept of a lazy day at the beach) and due to the unpredictable rip tides and sea states around Ascension, swimming in the ocean is only advised at two locations – English Bay and Comfortless Cove. Even on these two you should exercise caution. Be aware that there is no shade on Ascension Island beaches and that the tropical sun burns badly – be careful. I can speak with authority when I say there is an emergency telephone located at English Bay – I used it to seek assistance when my rental car wouldn’t start. I can’t recall if there is one at Comfortless Cove. There are toilet facilities at both beaches.
Comfortless Cove (main picture above) is the smaller and more secluded of the two swimming beaches. When you are not swimming or sun bathing have a look at nearby Bonetta Cemetery.
Bonetta is thought to date from 1838 and contain the remains of those who died from yellow fever from the HMS Bonetta. It is one of a number of burial grounds for people arriving on the island by ship with fever and subsequently dying on the island in the 1800’s.
Comfortless Cove is also the landing site of the 1899 Eastern Telegraph Cable Company’s (now Cable and Wireless) underwater sea cable which connected Ascension Island to the rest of the world.
English Bay (above) is the larger of the two beaches and the more popular. It’s a popular spot with residents for a barbecue, especially in the evenings and at weekends. Grab your fish from the ocean.
However inviting Long Beach (above), the islands largest beach, in Georgetown seems you are warned against swimming there – you can even see the rip tides on this beach. the equally, perhaps more beautiful, stretch of beach on the other side of the pier in Georgetown is not known as Deadman’s Beach for nothing.
If you just want to walk/jog on a beach or sit and admire the sunset then the Georgetown beaches are the places to go.
The craters which you will find on all beaches on the Island are created by Green Turtles when they lay their eggs from January to May. More about these amazing animals in a separate review – suffice to say at this stage – do not disturb the turtle nests.
Topless bathing for ladies is not permitted on the island except at the purpose built Moon Base One Topless Beach (pictured above) – an inland beach on the road into Comfortless Cove within sight of Moon Base One observatory. Here topless bathing is actively encouraged!
This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries on my trip to Ascension Island. I suggest you continue with my next entry – HERE.
To return to the beginning of this loop click HERE.
The Rambling Wombat 
Not enough shade on these beaches for me unfortunately, but an early morning walk on one would be lovely
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Like you I prefer to walk on the beaches early morning or later in the afternoon.. to see the turtles we went much earlier and later too!
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You mentioned coming by private yacht. Can one land on the beaches (Ascension) or is a permit still needed even if no sponsor or address of stay is available?
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You have to land at Georgetown and clear customs etc. To stay the night on land you must have accommodation or return to boat by around 11pm. Full details on the Government website. After initial entry I am not sure if you can just drop anchor where you like or not – I know of one island that is definitely out of bounds and a bird sanctuary.
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