NATURE & WILDLIFE
With its dramatically contrasted landscapes and abundant wildlife, Montserrat is an exciting playground for lovers of the outdoors. Best explored by foot or bike, the island unveils its best secrets to those who are keen to find them, by hiking one of its many trails, venturing into its caves, rewarding visitors with extremely rare wildlife and breathtaking views along the way.
Reputed for its breathtaking coastline, Montserrat will not only marvel boaters, but also divers and snorkelers, who will enjoy exploring the island’s underwater beauties and thriving marine life, in the shape of vibrant corals and colourful fish. A one-of-a-kind island that will not cease to impress the nature-lover and adventurer in you!
HIKING
If you’re keen to explore Montserrat’s natural beauty, head to the forest in Centre Hills, where most of the island’s hiking trails start. Varying in difficulty levels (easy to expert), length (from 45mn to 4 hours), and in wonders, each trail brings its own rewards, whether it is in the shape of breathtaking vistas, pristine beaches, hidden gems, or spectacular wildlife.
BAT CAVE
Swim or hike your way from Little Bay to Montserrat’s only white sand beach, where you’ll be able to join a tour guide to a cave that is home to thousands of the Antillean fruit-eating bat. On your way back, make the most of the beautiful beach and snorkel among the area’s abundant marine life and healthy coral.
CENTRE HILLS
Montserrat’s small ecological system is home to some of the world’s most endangered flora and fauna species, some of which are now exclusively found in this very location. Centre Hills is also the starting point for most of the island’s hiking trails, enabling visitors to spot and observe some of those rare birds and reptiles, such as the Montserrat Oriole, the Forest Thrush, The Montserrat Galliwasp, and the Mountain Chicken, or even one of the island’s endangered bat species, the Yellow-Shouldered and the White-Lined bats.
BIRDWATCHING
Montserrat is definitely a destination where bird lovers will want to take the time to stop and look up, for a chance to spot one of the island’s rare bird species, including the critically endangered national bird, the Montserrat Oriole.
MONTSERRAT VOLCANO OBSERVATORY
Following the volcanic eruptions that started afflicting the island back in 1995, the MVO was created to enable scientists and technicians to constantly monitor the activity of the Soufrière Hills Volcano, through the study of seismology, gas emissions and deformation in the ground. Visitors can learn more about the scientists’ work and the 1995 eruption through the observatory’s various exhibits and videos.
BOTANICAL & HERBAL GARDEN
Immerse yourself in the island’s indigenous flora by taking a trip to this Montserrat National Trust-managed garden, which is home to the island’s national Heliconia, as well as some plants exclusively native to Montserrat, such as the Epidendrum Montserratense, and the Pribby.
ENDANGERED SPECIES
Being home to globally endangered species, Montserrat offers great opportunities for nature lovers to observe and learn more about the preservation of harmless varieties of snakes such as the Leeward Racer and the Blind Snake, of lizards like the Southern Leeward Dwarf Gecko, Montserrat Anole and Galliwasp, or the Yellow-Shouldered Volcano Bat, Montserrat Oriole, and Mountain Chicken - a frog that can reach a length of up to 20cm and a weight of 900g.
JACK BOY HILL
For Montserrat’s most dramatic panoramic vistas, head to Jack Boy Hill, a small park attracting visitors for its unbeatable views of the island’s exclusion zone, on a backdrop of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Soufrière Hills Volcano. The telescope on site enables you to get a closer look at the inaccessible town of Trants, as well as the remains of the island’s old airport.
NEW BEACH
A newly formed stretch of glittery black sand found at Bottomless Ghaut, this beach is a stunning demonstration of nature’s force where dramatic rock formations and birdlife will marvel any nature lover. The beach is accessible via a steep rocky slope, a little effort that rewards visitors with sights of nesting Caribbean Martins and Red-Billed Tropicbird.
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SPORTS
WATCH A GAME
To get a feel of the Montserratian sport scene, head to one of the island’s two cricket grounds for regional and local games (Little Bay Playing Field, Salem Park), watch a football game at the FIFA-funded Black Estate Stadium, or an indoor sport game at the Little Bay Sports Centre (basketball, netball, volleyball).
SAILING
To discover Montserrat under a whole new angle, take one of the organised boat trips taking you around the island’s impressive coast, where the contrast between verdant nature and exclusion zone displays a truly unique and dramatic sight.
DIVING, FREEDIVING & SNORKELLING
The island’s beautiful coast and healthy reef offer a beautiful series of diving and snorkeling sites, with a vibrant marine life that will not disappoint - both snorkelers and divers will enjoy the vibrant palette of tropical fish and sea life found on the island’s Northwestern coast.
BIKING
If the sea is not really your thing, consider renting a bike to explore the island’s lush landscapes and hidden gems at your own pace. A refreshing way to discover and fully appreciate the raw beauty of Montserrat.
SPEARFISHING
Inject a dose of adventure to your usual fishing trip by trying yourself at spearfishing - a more fun, active and traditional way to your catch of the day!
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PLYMOUTH
PLYMOUTH
After serving as the island’s capital city for over three centuries, this vibrant activity hub was reduced to ashes by the brutal eruption of 1995 that would forever change the face of Montserrat.
FLORA FOUNTAIN
Named after the romantic fountain that stood at the heart of its courtyard, this hotel was built in 1984 by Manu Chandiramani, an expat who had arrived in Montserrat in the 1960s. Located in the centre of Plymouth, the 18 rooms-large hotel differentiated itself by its unique circular architecture.
AFTER ERUPTION
Part of the island’s Exclusion Zone, the access to Plymouth is now strictly controlled. However, visitors are able to witness the remaining sites listed below, when accompanied by a certified guide and driver. Should you be interested in studying the island’s volcanological environment, Montserrat offers internships and volunteer programs through the MVO (Montserrat Volcano Observatory), and facilitates field trips around environmental science and volcanology.
MOLYNEAUX
Built in 1989 by John Molyneaux, Plymouth’s tallest building was also the first one to be made exclusively of concrete, and was used as offices for the Government’s Audit Department, and Cable and Wireless.
ST ANTHONY'S CHURCH
Built in 1636 by the island’s first Governor, Anthony Briskett, in an effort to develop Anglicanism in Montserrat, the “Church of England” went through its own lot of natural disasters and reconstructions before being completely abandoned in 1996, when Plymouth was finally evacuated.
RICHMOND HILL
Once an upper middle-class neighbourhood, Richmond Hill was abandoned following the creation of Montserrat’s exclusion zone. Unlike Plymouth, and unlike forbidden Trants and St Patrick’s, Richmond Hill sits in a less restricted area, and visitors can wander through the various parts of the town, such as the still-standing stone sugar mill that once housed the town’s old museum, the Montserrat Springs Hotel, and the former dream homes of the town’s inhabitants.
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