The charming British Overseas Territory on the Caribbean was once a top tourist destination before the Soufriere Hills Volcano decided to make its presence felt to the bone in 1995 (and 1997 again), covering all of the southern coast of Montserrat with volcanic ash. However, the magnificent island managed to find its feet again and regain its old glory, turning itself into an inhabited and safe haven that many even describe as Mother Nature's gift to humanity.
Blessed with exotic wildlife and lush vegetation, it turns heads with its dark-coloured shores overlooking the Caribbean, stunning rainforest, impressive volcano views, fantastic landscape, numerous hiking trails, a mind-blowing array of festivals and events celebrated like nowhere else in the world, the ruins that never cease to whisper to the winds a story of what used to be, and many more. Of the countless things to see in this spellbinding island, below is just a small taste. Surely, you will add many more items to the list shortly!
The Former Capital of Plymouth
Plymouth was the capital of Montserrat before the Soufriere Hills Volcano erupted and destroyed it almost in its entirety. Once an utterly prepossessing Caribbean town, it was home to the majority of government infrastructure, shops, commercial services, and markets, and was even the main docking harbour in Montserrat. After the volcanic eruption, though, all that was buried under multiple layers of lava, stone, mud, and ash. Some visitors see similarities between Plymouth and Pompeii, the Italian city that had the same fate as Plymouth, and refer to the Caribbean town as the modern-day Pompeii.
Today, Plymouth belongs in the Montserrat Exclusion Zone, an area nobody can access without an authorised guide. This means that you can see Plymouth from up close only as part of a tour or with a private tour guide, who will show you the remains of the once glorious Victorian and Georgian buildings and a land full of archaeological treasures that could as well be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site someday.
Panoramic Views of the Volcano
One of the most vantage points on the island for panoramic views of the Soufriere Hills Volcano is Jack Boy Hill which will also pamper you with vistas stretching all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, also covering the hidden town of Trants and the ruins of the old airport. You may even get more details of the marvel surrounding you with the use of the on-site telescope. Expect a harsh and gritty landscape dotted with a beautiful bougainvillea-filled park with lots of seating for a picnic or relaxation.
Another exceptional spot providing heart-stopping vistas of breathtaking landscapes and the lush hills that roll down to the ocean is Chances Peak, a summit of the Soufriere Hills Volcano. While here, allow the photographer inside you to immortalise your most thrilling moments on the island with fantastic shots of the unique scenery or take in the alluring beauty that surrounds you and recharge your batteries. It will be a win-win situation for you, no matter how you look at it!
The Bat Cave
Sitting quietly at Rendezvous Bay, the Bat Cave is actually a set of two small caves that can be reached by boat or kayak from Little Bay or a 30-50-minute hike. It lies in the area where the only white-sand beach in Montserrat is found, which is also a great diving and snorkelling spot thanks to the rich marine and coral life here. A tour guide will show you the way to the partially submerged crevice that is home to a colony of an Antillean bat species that eats fruits. What will probably amaze you is how organised these flying creatures really are. One of the two caves can easily be described as a “man cave”, as it is where all the males are, while the other cave is home to all the female bats with their babies, counting thousands in total!
Pop Music Memorabilia From the 1980s
Founded by David Lea (a famous filmmaker) and Clover, his wife, Hilltop Coffee House, and Family Centre is undeniably a must-see on any Montserrat exploration or visit. This non-profit cafe wears many hats as it serves as a de facto tourist office, community centre, art gallery, and museum.
Once inside, you will take an instant time travel to the 1980s and its pop music scene. Every wall has a story to tell, while the many iconic albums are there to remind visitors that the famed Montserrat-based Air Studios were once a hugely popular pole of attraction for renowned artists like Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, The Police, Arrow, and Sir Paul McCartney, to name a few!
Definitely plan a visit to Hilltop Coffee House and Family Centre to watch acclaimed documentaries on the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano, signed by David Lea himself, while enjoying a cuppa or cold fruit juice on the scenic veranda. And as you treat your palate with a delicious waffle, you can also check out the 1980s memorabilia rescued from AIR Studios and the buried city and soak up the incredible views from up there!
The Battery at Bransby Point
A gun battery is believed to exist as early as the late 1700s at Branby Point, northwest of Plymouth, the former Montserrat capital. During one of the many skirmishes between the French and the British, the battery was destroyed by the first in 1712, only to be restored around 70 years later. Its fate was rather ominous, though, as the French destroyed the guardhouse (from what it seems, once and for all, this time).
Although restored in 1983, the battery was never reactivated and received its third and final blow during the volcanic eruptions in 1995 and two years later. Today, Bransby Point is a fantastic vantage point offering exquisite views of the island, including Plymouth and Soufriere Hills to the south and the Old Towne to the north. You can find it bound either on the side of Barton Bay or Fox’s Bay.
The Picturesque St. Martin de Porres Church
Plan a visit to this scenic and utmost quaint place if you seek some peace and quiet and wish to lay eyes on a beautiful church built in a traditional Catholic style. The charming St. Martin de Porres Church is a rather small chapel in Salem with stunning views, unique architectural design, and a powerful, tranquil vibe exuding from every inch of its land.
The charming British Overseas Territory on the Caribbean was once a top tourist destination before the Soufriere Hills Volcano decided to make its presence felt to the bone in 1995 (and 1997 again), covering all of the southern coast of Montserrat with volcanic ash. However, the magnificent island managed to find its feet again and regain its old glory, turning itself into an inhabited and safe haven that many even describe as Mother Nature's gift to humanity.
Blessed with exotic wildlife and lush vegetation, it turns heads with its dark-coloured shores overlooking the Caribbean, stunning rainforest, impressive volcano views, fantastic landscape, numerous hiking trails, a mind-blowing array of festivals and events celebrated like nowhere else in the world, the ruins that never cease to whisper to the winds a story of what used to be, and many more. Of the countless things to see in this spellbinding island, below is just a small taste. Surely, you will add many more items to the list shortly!
The Former Capital of Plymouth
Plymouth was the capital of Montserrat before the Soufriere Hills Volcano erupted and destroyed it almost in its entirety. Once an utterly prepossessing Caribbean town, it was home to the majority of government infrastructure, shops, commercial services, and markets, and was even the main docking harbour in Montserrat. After the volcanic eruption, though, all that was buried under multiple layers of lava, stone, mud, and ash. Some visitors see similarities between Plymouth and Pompeii, the Italian city that had the same fate as Plymouth, and refer to the Caribbean town as the modern-day Pompeii.
Today, Plymouth belongs in the Montserrat Exclusion Zone, an area nobody can access without an authorised guide. This means that you can see Plymouth from up close only as part of a tour or with a private tour guide, who will show you the remains of the once glorious Victorian and Georgian buildings and a land full of archaeological treasures that could as well be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site someday.
Panoramic Views of the Volcano
One of the most vantage points on the island for panoramic views of the Soufriere Hills Volcano is Jack Boy Hill which will also pamper you with vistas stretching all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, also covering the hidden town of Trants and the ruins of the old airport. You may even get more details of the marvel surrounding you with the use of the on-site telescope. Expect a harsh and gritty landscape dotted with a beautiful bougainvillea-filled park with lots of seating for a picnic or relaxation.
Another exceptional spot providing heart-stopping vistas of breathtaking landscapes and the lush hills that roll down to the ocean is Chances Peak, a summit of the Soufriere Hills Volcano. While here, allow the photographer inside you to immortalise your most thrilling moments on the island with fantastic shots of the unique scenery or take in the alluring beauty that surrounds you and recharge your batteries. It will be a win-win situation for you, no matter how you look at it!
The Bat Cave
Sitting quietly at Rendezvous Bay, the Bat Cave is actually a set of two small caves that can be reached by boat or kayak from Little Bay or a 30-50-minute hike. It lies in the area where the only white-sand beach in Montserrat is found, which is also a great diving and snorkelling spot thanks to the rich marine and coral life here. A tour guide will show you the way to the partially submerged crevice that is home to a colony of an Antillean bat species that eats fruits. What will probably amaze you is how organised these flying creatures really are. One of the two caves can easily be described as a “man cave”, as it is where all the males are, while the other cave is home to all the female bats with their babies, counting thousands in total!
Pop Music Memorabilia From the 1980s
Founded by David Lea (a famous filmmaker) and Clover, his wife, Hilltop Coffee House, and Family Centre is undeniably a must-see on any Montserrat exploration or visit. This non-profit cafe wears many hats as it serves as a de facto tourist office, community centre, art gallery, and museum.
Once inside, you will take an instant time travel to the 1980s and its pop music scene. Every wall has a story to tell, while the many iconic albums are there to remind visitors that the famed Montserrat-based Air Studios were once a hugely popular pole of attraction for renowned artists like Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, The Police, Arrow, and Sir Paul McCartney, to name a few!
Definitely plan a visit to Hilltop Coffee House and Family Centre to watch acclaimed documentaries on the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano, signed by David Lea himself, while enjoying a cuppa or cold fruit juice on the scenic veranda. And as you treat your palate with a delicious waffle, you can also check out the 1980s memorabilia rescued from AIR Studios and the buried city and soak up the incredible views from up there!
The Battery at Bransby Point
A gun battery is believed to exist as early as the late 1700s at Branby Point, northwest of Plymouth, the former Montserrat capital. During one of the many skirmishes between the French and the British, the battery was destroyed by the first in 1712, only to be restored around 70 years later. Its fate was rather ominous, though, as the French destroyed the guardhouse (from what it seems, once and for all, this time).
Although restored in 1983, the battery was never reactivated and received its third and final blow during the volcanic eruptions in 1995 and two years later. Today, Bransby Point is a fantastic vantage point offering exquisite views of the island, including Plymouth and Soufriere Hills to the south and the Old Towne to the north. You can find it bound either on the side of Barton Bay or Fox’s Bay.
The Picturesque St. Martin de Porres Church
Plan a visit to this scenic and utmost quaint place if you seek some peace and quiet and wish to lay eyes on a beautiful church built in a traditional Catholic style. The charming St. Martin de Porres Church is a rather small chapel in Salem with stunning views, unique architectural design, and a powerful, tranquil vibe exuding from every inch of its land.