Top 20 Things To Do In Montserrat, Caribbean

1. Visit the Montserrat Volcano Observatory

The Montserrat Volcano Observatory is a governmental organization, established to monitor the volcano and its activities. Start your exploration of this beautiful island in this educative observatory. Its friendly and experienced staff will show you all the pieces of equipment used in monitoring and predicting the volcano. You even get to see a short video on the volcano’s historical eruption and buy shirts and other souvenirs from its small shop, too. On top of all that, you get treated to stunning views of the volcano and the beautiful landscape all around the island.

Montserrat Volcano Observatory

Address: Hope Dr Flemmings, Montserrat

Website: Montserrat Volcano Observatory

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

Price: from 20 USD

2. Go bird spotting in the Center Hills

If you are a lover of birds and bird watching, then you must visit the Center Hills Forest in Montserrat. This green place is home to some fantastic wildlife, plants, and endangered bird species. Walk through one of the exciting Center Hills Forest trails and have the time of your life spotting rare bird species, birds like the Montserrat oriole, the galliwasp, the mountain chicken, and two species of bat – the white-lined Bat and the yellow-shouldered Bat – with some of those found nowhere else on the entire planet. How amazing is that?

3. Explore the former capital Plymouth

When “Madam Soufriere” erupted in 1995, the island’s old capital city, Plymouth took the hardest hit. Now completely deserted, Plymouth lies in ruins, covered in ash and waiting for you to explore. Take a mind-blowing tour through what is left standing in the town and experience the feel and thrills of driving through practically a ghost town. Left with so much from its thriving, populated days, a visit to Plymouth will leave you with an experience to last a lifetime.

4. Admire the stunning landscape surrounding Rendezvous Bay

The only beach with pristine white sand on the island, this calm paradise is a remarkable place to enjoy Montserrat’s best features. Its serene and pure waters make it an excellent location for swimming and snorkeling. Even giving it a more private and unique feel is the fact that Rendezvous Bay can only be accessed via the sea or via a steep trail that offers you stunning views of the landscape all around the beach. With tents, good food, and great music, you are guaranteed a great time in this unique place.

5. Witness the magnificent Soufriere Hills Volcano

Montserrat’s most notable feature, the great Soufriere Hills Volcano, is the island’s monument. This massive dome-shaped hill was inactive for about 400 years before its major eruption in 1995. Since then, it has continued as one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with frequent ash expulsions and pyroclastic flows. There are several places on the island to gaze upon and marvel at this powerful tool of nature in its pure unbridled state. To refer to “Madam Soufriere” – as it is fondly called – as great is an understatement. She is sheer magnificence. And you get a chance to see her up close – well, as close as you can safely be.

6. Savor a delicious meal at Watermelon Cottage

Cozy, comfortable, with a relaxing ambiance, and serving world-class quality meals right by the beach on a paradise island is Watermelon Cottage. This small, beautiful restaurant is a place where you can enjoy an amazingly delicious lunch in a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. It is a perfect location for your romantic dinner as it is surrounded by lush vegetation with streams flowing by softly. Watermelon Cottage offers you a full menu of sumptuous seafood, chicken, and even steaks prepared with the freshest ingredients for your enjoyment.

Watermelon Cottage

Address: Olveston, Montserrat

Website: Watermelon Cottage

7. Hit the hiking trails of Oriole Walkway Trail

Explore the incredible forests of this island paradise by taking a hike through the Oriole Walkway Trail. This well-maintained trail passes through exciting parts of the lush forest and leads you straight to the top of a nearby mountain where you can enjoy the picturesque views of the island. Make sure you hold on to a pair of binoculars when going on this trail. Why? Because we’re sure, you wouldn’t want to miss the beautiful oriole and other rare birds everywhere on this remarkable island. It’s a great way to spend the day outdoors in Montserrat.

8. Drink from the Runaway Ghaut

Take a break from your trails and exploring and sip the refreshing waters running through the Runaway Ghaut. These ghauts are ravines that carry rainwater running down from the mountain tops to the seas below. However, significant steps have been taking to make sure the waters running down the ghaut are pure and drinkable. And if you’d love to come back to Montserrat, then you must take a sip from this ghaut. According to legend, those that drink the water are called by the island to return to it.

9. Relax and unwind on Little Bay Beach

A beautiful black sand beach, the Little Bay is Montserrat’s most famous beach. But even with all its popularity, this exciting place is always peaceful and quiet. With gorgeous waters, exceptional foods, and a chance to lie under the Caribbean sun, it is a lovely place to visit. Great for families and loved ones, and ideal for picnics, this beach is a gem in this already remarkable city.

Little Bay Beach

Address: Little Bay, Montserrat

10. Go diving between Redonda and the reefs

Do you love diving or snorkeling? Then this activity should rank high on your to-do list of things to do on this island. Redonda is the small rock remains of a formally active volcano with an amazing underwater reef running by it. Go under the sea and swim with the sea turtles, moray eels, giant sponges, stingrays, and the occasional nurse sharks! Spend a wonderful time exploring the beautiful underwater life of this extraordinary island.

Redonda

Address: Caribbean Sea, between the islands of Montserrat and Nevis

11. Go green on St Patrick’s Day

The biggest festival celebration in Montserrat is St. Patrick’s Day. As one of the few places that celebrate St. Patrick every year, the people of this grand island take their celebration to the next level. Experience all the thrills, concerts, singing, dancing, parades, eating, and drinking that come with celebrating this event in Montserrat. So don’t waste any more time. Paint your face green, grab a costume, and get the real feel of an island festival!

12. Trek up Jack Boy Hill for stunning ocean views

Feeling like relaxing and soaking in the views of the stunning blue ocean around this beautiful island? Then put on your trekking shoes and hike up the amazing Jack Boy Hill. This hill is the best spot for scenic viewing of the town, its volcano, and of course, the vast ocean. On Jack Boy, the landscape is most beautiful, and there is a telescope for even more detailed viewing. On top of the hill sits a small, cozy park where you can relax, soak in the views while having a picnic or just sit and enjoy the view.

Jack Boy Hill

Address: Montserrat

13. Have a Sunday barbecue at Ponts Beach View

Have a particular time enjoying a deliciously prepared BBQ and a cold refreshing beer while watching the sunset on the Caribbean at Ponts Beach View. This cozy restaurant is run by an excellent host who is equally an excellent cook. Its beautifully decorated inner space is comfortable and serene, and you can also choose to dine on its large patio with a great view of the ocean. Enjoy Caribbean food at its very best here. A must-go place if you ever find yourself on the beautiful island of Montserrat. You won’t be disappointed.

Pont's Beach View

Address: Look Out Cir, Little Bay, Montserrat

Website: Pont’s Beach View

14. Click amazing pictures of the stunning landscape from the summit of Chances Peak

One thing this island has to be proud of is its enthralling landscapes. Montserrat is blessed with so many breathtaking and scenic landscapes, it would be a heaven for landscape photographers. All you need to do is get the right vantage point and the views are purely mind-blowing. And that is what Chance Peak offers. You get to see amazing views of the Chances Peak wonders, too.

Chances Peak

Address: Soufrière Hills, Montserrat

15. Unravel the island’s past at the Montserrat National Museum

An island rich in history, culture, and tradition, Montserrat has a full past. From its glory days to its dark times and present resurgence, all are represented in exhibition displays at the National Museum of Montserrat. Also, view the exciting facts and artifacts showcased as well as all the legends and stories on how this fantastic place was found and colonized.

Montserrat National Museum

Address: Little Bay, Montserrat

Website: Montserrat National Museum

16. Try some Caribbean cuisine at Soca Cabana

Soca Cabana is a great bar restaurant nestled right on the Little Bay beach. This exciting little place transforms from a quiet and chilled beach restaurant in the day time to one of the hottest bubbling places on the island at night. Its beachfront location gives you beautiful views of the ocean while its staff are friendly and welcoming. At Soca Cabana, you get treated to the authentic Caribbean cuisines while sipping on their local beer. Soca Cabana is an excellent spot for dining and just having fun in Montserrat.

Soca Cabana

Address: Look Out Cir, Little Bay, Montserrat

Website: Soca Cabana

17. Unwind at Woodlands Bay

The unique beaches on Montserrat give you a chance to have some fun relaxing on nature’s art canvas. Woodlands Bay is one of those beaches. Formerly covered with golden sand, this beautiful place has now been redesigned with fantastic black sands which form a charming contrast with the bright blue seas of the ocean. With its elegant rustic allure, secluded and serene nature, and a picnic clifftop with great views, you’d no doubt enjoy every single minute you spend relaxing on Woodlands Bay.

Woodlands Bay

Address: Woodlands, Montserrat

18. Quench your thirst with exquisite drinks at St. John's

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All over the island are places to get a sip of local beer but St. John takes it a step further. Enjoy the most exquisite and deliciously drinks in a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. Try wines, cocktails, the best rum punch, and other islands specials at the incredible places in St. John’s. Enjoy all these at very affordable prices, too.

19. Have a brewed coffee and baked goodies at the Hilltop Coffee House & Family Center

It’s a bright and sunny day on the island, and you don’t feel like going outdoors? Then a relaxing time along with some delicious home-baked goodies and a cup of brewed coffee might be what you need. The Hilltop Coffee House gives you all that and much more. Enjoy viewing a collection of pictures, art, and videos laced with compelling stories about the life of the owner and the amazing people living on this small island.

Hilltop Coffee House

Address: Cedar Dr, Montserrat

Website: Hilltop Coffee House

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 1pm (closed on Sun)

20. Spend a quiet moment at St. Martin de Porres Church

Spend some quiet time alone at this revered place of peace and serenity. The St. Martin de Porres Church is a beautiful sanctuary on the island built in a traditional Catholic style. It offers an ideal environment to reminisce, relax, and just let your mind roam free. Although it is a relatively small church in Salem, its unique architectural design is incredible and picturesque.

St. Martin de Porres Church

Address: Salem Gate N, Salem, Montserrat

Experience the raw and majestic power of nature in Montserrat

An outdoor lover’s paradise, Montserrat is a remarkable haven on the Caribbean. Its luxuriant vegetation, green fern-covered valleys, striking beaches, and emerald hills makes it a great place to spend your vacation. Known as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, there are several amazing places to explore and things to do in Montserrat, Caribbean. With delicious local cuisine and exciting activities, the best time of your life awaits you on this unique Caribbean island.