getting here

Okay – it can be a bit of a challenge – but it is worth it!! Best to fly to Antigua, which is 27 miles from Montserrat. There are a number of direct flights or you can be routed through San Juan to Antigua. Flights to Montserrat are on Winair – a 10 seater twin otter running 4 round trip flights per day. You can contact Carib World Travel to book an e-ticket. pam@carib-world.com or arthurtonp@candw.ag. If you have to overnight in Antigua there are several hotels like the Amaryllis right near the airport, or the Heritage Hotel in St. Johns. If you are in Antigua fewer than 24 hours you do not have to pay a departure tax. When you leave Montserrat after your holiday you will be required to pay US$ 20 departure tax.

When you arrive in Montserrat there will be a taxi driver waiting to take you to your villa. You will most likely want to rent a vehicle which will be waiting at the villa – the most popular is a Toyota Rav 4 at about US$ 35/day. Unlimited mileage!! A local driving license is US$ 20 and you need to show your home license in order to get one. Driving is on the left, and the cars/Ravs are right hand drive which makes it easy! (If you have been here before and know your way around, the vehicle can be picked up right at the airport).

things to do

diving & snorkeling

Diving or snorkeling from a boat or the shore - call The Green Monkey Inn & Dive Shop (Troy) at 664-491-2960 or 664-496-2960, or Seawolf Diving School (Bryan) at 664-491-7807 or 664-496-7807. Never done it? Well, Troy or Bryan can give you lessons and PADI certification upon completing & passing the dive course. See the pristine marine environment with an expert, and have a great adventure!

Boat rentals, Sunset Cruises, Island tour by Boat, trips to secluded Rendezvous Beach – call the Green Monkey and experience Monkey Sea and Monkey Doo!

volcano & wildlife tours

The volcano came to life in 1995, and the journey of Montserrat from this crisis through recovery has been amazing and inspiring. While the population is reduced to fewer than half the original 11,000, the island is bustling with new buildings, a state-of-the-art Cultural Centre built by funds raised by Sir George Martin, a new airport (2005) and public market, football and cricket facilities, and during the next few years, the establishment of a new town and harbor at Little Bay. Guided tours into the evacuated areas are sometimes available. Boat trips to see Plymouth are offered each week by The Green Monkey Dive Shop. Seeing is believing!

Tour the majestic beauty of Montserrat's wildlife and see the Montserrat Oriole, mountain chicken, and galiwasp lizard. Visit the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) and see the scientists at work, view the volcano and the valleys around it, and experience the virtual learning centre.

the beaches

Montserrat's beaches have sparkling black sand, a result of being a volcanic island. Enjoy a day at the beach without anyone to bother you, no vendors, no snack bars, - just you, the the sound of the waves lapping on the shore, watching the pelicans diving for their dinner.

places to go

Plymouth: once a thriving town with historic building housing shops and restaurants, and a busy harbor and port, Plymouth now lies under ash and boulders from the volcano, and mudflows (lahars) have all but covered the buildings. Take a boat trip to see our modern-day Pompeii, or climb Garabaldi Hill to overlook the areas. At certain times, tours of nearby evacuated areas such as Richmond Hill and Foxes Bay, as well as St. Georges Hill, are allowed.

The Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO): Get a tour Tuesdays & Thursdays between 2:00 – 3 pm- call 491-5457 for info. See the scientists and monitoring equipment at work! A view you won’t believe! If you don’t want to bother with the tour you can just drive up there anytime and gawk at the incredible views of the volcano, Plymouth, and the Belham Valley – panoramic!!

The Montserrat National Trust is located in Olveston, and houses a small museum, botanical garden, and gift shop. The Philatelic Bureau is in the same building and many beautiful stamps are available.

The catchy name, Jack Boy Hill, houses as viewing facility maintained by the Montserrat Tourist Board. The volcano looms over the former Blackburne Airport, while in the distance you can see Antigua 30 miles away over the sea.

The Legend of Runaway Ghaut is that if you drink the water from this stream, you will always have to return to the island. The refreshing water spot is also a popular place to refill you water bottle during a hike, and the water is always clean and delicious.

shopping

There are a number of interesting souvenirs to buy here, although shopping is not one of Montserrat’s strong points: National Trust Gift Shop has variety of local items and the Philatelic Bureau is in same building (Salem); Luv's Cotton Shop in Salem has wonderful Sea Island cotton woven items. The Montserrat Arts & Crafts Association Gift Shop in Brades near Agriculture Department has a wide variety of locally made handi-crafts. Arrow’s Manshop for CDs and Montserrat T-shirts and other apparel of many descriptions! You might even meet Arrow who is internationally famous for his song “Hot, Hot, Hot”. For last minute items there are Jus’ Looking and Las’ Chance shops at the Airport.

restaurants

The Royal palm club

Plantation style restaurant, bar, club – delicious food, elegant surroundings, friendly staff. For EC$ 25 (US$ 10) become a member for your stay (up to three months, EC$ 100 for a year)! You’ll be glad you did!!

Jumpin' Jack Flash

Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Margaret’s). 664-491-5645 at their home on hibiscus Drive. Wednesday - Sunday for lunch from 12-3. Dinner on Fridays from 5-11pm. No reservations required. Especially popular Wednesday & Sunday lunch & Frday evenings.

Tina's Restaurant

Call at 664-491-3538 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Closed Sundays) (great pizza) Air conditioned inside or sit on the breezy veranda. Food available for take-out.

gourmet gardens

Open daily and located in Salem, south of Police Station. Good selection of offerings on the menu, and open most days and evenings.

Soft Freeze / Harbour court

In the BBC complex in Brades – ice cream, hot dogs, light lunch and snacks – a handy place to stop when you are in the north!

Oriole Café

Located at Farara Plaza in Brades. Good for breakfast or lunch.

Ziggies

Mahogany Drive in Woodlands- reservation required: 664-491-8282

Anfa chinese restaurant

In St. John's. Call 664-491-2200.

La collage

Near the airport offering delicious local food. Open daily.

Catering Services

Simon Meade – 664-491-8625 for good home cooked meals at a great price, delivered to your door piping hot whenever you want. Approximately US$ 15 per meal and includes dessert! Great for that first evening!

This is by no means a full list. For more variety see the Montserrat Guide.

The Diving

SCUBA Diving the waters around Montserrat is special experience. Pristine dive sites and untouched reefs, huge sponges and colorful corals, not to mention the rays, fish, turtles and other interesting sea creatures make this island a diver's haven. No huge groups of divers, no crowds in the waves...this is diving the way it should be! And if you have never tried it, give it a shot! It's an unforgettable experience! Contact The Green Monkey Dive Shop at at 664-491-2960 or 664-496-2960.

Calendar of Events / Public Holidays

January

January 1: New Year's Day

March

St. Patrick's Week Of Celebrations
March 17: St. Patrick's Day; Freedom Run and other activities

april

Easter Celebrations
Good Friday
Easter Monday; Easter Monday Road Relay Race

may

Nurses Week of Activities
Labour Day; Fishing Tournament
Whit Monday

july

Lookout Day
Cudjoe Head Day

august

August Monday
Roman Catholic Fete

september / october

Tourism Week of Activities

october / november

Police, Fire, Search and Rescue Services Community Week

december

Christmas Festival Celebrations
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26: Boxing Day
December 27: St. John's Day
December 31: Festival Day