Located just 27 miles southwest of Antigua, Montserrat is known as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean. The southern half of this volcanic island is off-limits and has been since 1995 when volcanic activity began on the Soufriere Hills volcano. To get to Montserrat you must first fly into Antigua and then take either a ferry or a helicopter over to the island of Montserrat.
Once there the northern half of the island has plenty of activities for you to see and do. Most of the beaches are black volcanic sand so wear flip-flops to keep your feet from burning during the heat of the day. The exception to this is Rendezvous Bay on the northern tip of the island which has golden to white sand. There are abundant snorkeling and diving opportunities in the beautiful azure blue waters that surround these beaches.
The lush, green interior of the island offers many opportunities for walking and hiking including a guided tour by a park ranger to the closest viewing spots around the Soufriere Hills volcano.
One of the distinctions of Montserrat is that it was settled by Irish Catholics. This will become very evident when you sit down to eat or drink at any of the islands restaurants or bars.
For a vacation that combines beach activities and spectacular volcano viewing, Montserrat is a very unique and rewarding vacation destination.
