The British Overseas Territory of Montserrat is an island in the Caribbean, south-east of Puerto Rico.
It was a popular tourist destination until the island was hammered by two natural events. Hurricane Hugo caused widespread destruction in 1989 and then, in 1995, the island's previously dormant volcano, Soufriere Hills, became active, with a large part of the island being evacuated as a result. There have been on-going volcanic eruptions in the southern half of the island since that time and that part of the island (the exclusion zone) is now ash-strewn and inaccessible.
The northern half of the island however is as beautiful as it ever was, green and lush, and visiting the northern half is perfectly safe. The active volcano (safe to view from a good distance) has become a tourist attraction in its own right. Montserrat is still well worth visiting, and the locals go out of their way to be encouraging and welcoming to tourists. Since tourism is still at a low level, accommodation prices often represent excellent value for money compared to other Caribbean destinations.
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Once a popular get-away destination (especially after Beatles producer George Martin opened a studio here), Montserrat has been hit hard by the four elements, both from without and from within. First the wind and waves of Hurricane Hugo swept through in 1989, damaging 90% of the island's structures. Then the earth and fire welled up in 1995, with the volcano of Soufriere Hills forcing the long-term evacuation of 2/3 of the island's population, and catastrophically closing the old airport and seaport in June 1997. The capital, Plymouth, is now covered by 40 feet of ash, earning its nickname "the new Pompeii", and much of the rest of the southern part of the island is now quite uninhabitable and unusable.
Government offices have since been set up in Brades on the northwest shore of the island, out of harm's way. Much of the island's population has returned, with estimates ranging from 4,700 to 9,500, compared to the pre-Hugo/Soufriere high of over 12,000.
Temperatures year-around average between 76-88°F (24-32°C), with constant cooling breezes. Rainfall is a little more common from July to November.
Montserrat is small, but getting larger. The erupting volcano is gradually extending the southern end of the island. The northern part of the island is mostly quite hilly.
Montserrat has traditionally been divided into three parishes. However, the eruption of the Soulière Hills volcano in 1995 and the subsequent evacuation of the southern half of the island has rendered the parishes less meaningful to travellers. Far more important to travellers is the level of hazard and the access permitted to parts of the island due to the volcano. Since 2008, Montserrat has used the Hazard Level System which divides the at-risk areas of the island into hazard zones. The level of access permitted for any zone at a given time is denoted by one of four colours: green (unrestricted), yellow (daytime access or transit), orange (controlled access), and red (authorised access only). The Montserrat Volcano Observatory is responsible for setting the hazard level, and travellers should always check the current access restrictions at their website ().
The old capital town, Plymouth, was destroyed by the volcanic eruptions. Villages in the northern part of the island include:
The northern zone of Montserrat has a number of different beaches. Each one has its own appeal and all are worth visiting.
Proof of citizenship is required. United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and CARICOM citizens may present a driver's licence or other government photo ID; all others require passports. Visitors from Cuba require visas, obtainable from British Consular offices. All visitors must have tickets for departure, proof of accommodation, and funds to cover their expenses while on Montserrat.
Several tour operators in Antigua offer day excursions to Montserrat, including observation of the Soufriere Hills volcano. Charter helicopters from Antigua offer another way to view the volcano.
Fly Montserrat offers multiple daily flights out of Antigua into the John A. Osborne Airport (MNI). Prices, as of Nov 2011, were approx US$200 round trip, including all taxes. Note that the planes are twin engine turbo props that hold a maximum of six people, with limited luggage space. The flight is approx 20 minutes total, with amazing views of Antigua, Montserrat, and other islands off in the distance.
The primary transportation harbour (the new port) is at Little Bay, near the de facto capital of Brades. As of November, 2011, regular ferry service from Antigua continues. Service is not available every day, so checking the schedule in advance is advised. On rare occasions (some public holidays) a day trip to Montserrat from Nevis is offered.
Montserrat has one main road that winds along the coast on the east and west sides of the island. Cars can be rented from any of a number of agencies. Traffic is mild (there are no traffic lights to bother with), but be warned that there are only two gas/petrol stations on the island. In November 2011, the going rate for a 4-door Suzuki Vitara (residents would call it a Jeep) was approx $250 US dollars per week.
A temporary Montserrat driver's license is required to drive on the island. Typically all that is required is US$20 or EC$50, a completed form, and presentation of your home country/territory licence. Licences are available at the police station in Brades or Salem.
Bicycle rentals are also available.
Taxis and minibuses run mostly during the day
Hitch-hiking, during the day and early evening is safe - just point your finger in the direction you are going.
Walking, while safe and possible to all points, is quite an arduous task, as the roads traverse very steep hills. Locals tend to walk in a local village or housing area, but find other transport from village to village.
The people of Montserrat all speak English (British variety), albeit with a local accent.
The volcano! An observation area on Jack Boy Hill on the eastern side gives a view of the ash flows covering the old airport. Huge boulders may sometimes be seen, crashing down the slope in a cloud of dust. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory on the south-west side has an observation deck. Tours into the exclusion zone are sometimes possible, depending entirely on the official volcano risk level as assessed by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory staff. If you are able to go into the exclusion zone you will pass through a landscape of abandoned homes and fields, see the volcano close-up, and gaze down at the old capital of Plymouth, now buried in ash and mud. As of January 2012 no one other than government officials and scientists was permitted into what little remains of Plymouth.
Montserrat is blessed with natural beauty. On land there are lush tropical forests with trails of varying difficulty. Many can be enjoyed on your own, however, some require a guide to make the path clear. Stop by the National Trust or Tourist Information for a map (charge of EC$10 currently).
One of the special things about Montserrat are the quiet beaches. You most often have them to yourself, but check out each one, they are all different.
For those who love the sea, the island is surrounded by reefs. Snorkelling and scuba diving can be enjoyed from shore or by boat. Check with "Scuba Montserrat" in Little Bay for diving, snorkelling, daily diving, full courses, clear bottom kayaks, volcano boat tours and equipment
Scuba diving is also available at nearby Redonda, a steep uninhabited island 15 miles to the Northwest of Montserrat. There you will find six-foot barrel sponges, Eagle Rays, Stingrays, and the occasional nurse shark. For diving trips to Redonda or dive sites closer to Montserrat's shores, contact the Green Monkey Dive Shop in Little Bay. They also offer Boat Tours to view the destruction left behind in Plymouth by the volcanic eruptions, as well as Kayak Tours and Rental, Deep Sea Fishing Excursions, Dive Lessons, and Equipment Sales and Rental.
For other boat tours or land excursions, stop by the Tourist Board to get a phone number of one of the local guides.
Visitors should also check out the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)for information on the Soufriere Hills Volcano. The MVO Visitors Centre is open to the public Monday through Thursday, and includes a documentary describing the history and impact of the eruption (shown at quarter past the hour every hour between 10:15 - 3:15), informative poster displays, interactive kiosks, and a display of artefacts. There is also a fabulous view of the volcano.
Unfortunately, although there is a good solid pier where boats dock, as yet there is no breakwater at Little Bay (where the scuba and tour boats leave from), so if there's a strong southerly wind with big swells, scuba and boat tours may be canceled for a day or two until the weather changes, so the boats can get out. Be prepared to go hiking, sightseeing, or just relaxing by the pool or at the beach instead, while waiting for the seas to calm enough for the boats to be able to leave Little Bay.
The official local currency is the East Caribbean dollar using a currency symbol of $. This is the currency of eight of its neighbours too. Like them, much accommodation on Montserrat is priced in the much more valuable US$, so we use the designation EC$ to distinguish the two.
The EC$ is subdivided into 100 cents and has been pegged to the United States dollar (US$) since 1976 at US$1 = EC$2.70
There are currently two ATMs on the island, one at the Royal Bank of Canada, and one at the Bank of Montserrat.
John Ponteens Sunday BBQ Little Bay. DD Bar Friday night in Hope by the MVO. Chicken Wilsons in Salem. Roti for lunch at the Attic. Gourmet Gardens in Olveston. Olveston House (Sir George Martin's private residence) is open seven days a week. Tina's, La Colage and Emerald Rose for great local lunches. Upscale Ziggys Restaurant for dinner only by reservation. The Royal Palm Club typically shows movies with dinner on Tuesday evenings.
Most establishments are casual. Some bars on the beach are okay with folks walking right in sand and all.
Few places are open at night for dinner, and most of those that are require reservations (not because they're fancy or expensive, but because business is slower and they want to ensure they have fresh food available.)
Most meal choices consist of chicken or seafood, with most having a red meat option, though the type of meat various greatly.
Bars include: Gary Moore's Wide Awake Bar, Salem; Falming El Paso, St Peter; Green Monkey Bar, Little Bay; Dessert Storm, Salem; Misers in Salem; Jaxxons, St John.
Visiting the island is a bargain compared to pre-eruption Montserrat and many of its less geologically active neighbours, as the island is anxious to re-establish its tourism industry. The tourism board has private villas for as little as US$700/week.
Keep in mind that items for sale in shops are generally 'expensive' compared to US and European standards.
Like almost all Caribbean islands, Montserrat may experience a tropical storm or even a hurricane during the season from June to November.
Volcanic eruptions still pose some danger, though volcanic activity has been primarily on the level of a nuisance in recent years. Travel to the Exclusion Zone on the south end of the island is generally not permitted, for safety reasons. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory publishes current risk assessments and exclusion zone limits.
Montserrat is generally a safe place, however in recent years, violent crime has increased. Assault is the most common form, with an annual rate of just over 10 assaults for every 1000 people. (By comparison, Canada's rate is about 7 per 1000). General safety precautions, including such as not walking in an alleyway at night, are advised.
No vaccinations are required to enter Montserrat unless coming from a country that has suffered a cholera, yellow fever, or small pox epidemic.