scubish.com: Scuba diving Montserrat

Montserrat

English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possesion of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid 19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003.

Great dive locations in Montserrat :

Montserrat

Old Towne

Understand

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 airports and seaports in June 1997. The capital of Plymouth was covered by 40 feet of ash, and much of the south end of the island is now uninhabitable.

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.

Climate
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.

Landscape

Montserrat is small, but getting larger. The erupting volcano is gradually extending the southern end of the island.

Eat

John Ponteens Sunday BBQ Little Bay. DD Bar Friday night in Hope by the MVO. Chicken Wilsons in Salem

...

Montserrat is an island in the Caribbean, southeast of Puerto Rico. A former popular resort, it is recovering from a hurricane and volcanic activity from the 1980s and 1990s.

Cities

Brades (de facto capital)

Davy Hill

Gerald's

Little Bay

Old Towne

Olveston

Plymouth (official capital, abandoned)

Saint John's

Salem

Sweeney's

Woodlands

Other destinations

Exclusion Zone - one person's disaster is another person's destination

Understand

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 airports and seaports in June 1997. The capital of Plymouth was covered by 40 feet of ash, and much of the south end of the island is now uninhabitable.

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.

Climate
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.

Landscape

Montserrat is small, but getting larger. The erupting volcano is gradually extending the southern end of the island.

Get in

Proof of citizenship is required. United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and CARICOM citizens may present a driver's license or other government photo ID; all others require passports. Visitors from Cuba require visas, obtainable from British Consulate offices. All visitors must have tickets for departure, proof of accommodations, 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.

By plane
Gerald's Airport was opened in 2005, providing daily flights to and from Antigua and St. Maarten via regional carrier Winair . Antigua and St. Maarten are served by several major international airlines from North America and Europe.

By boat

The primary transportation harbor is Little Bay, near the de facto capital of Brades.

Get around

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.

Bicycle rentals are also available.

Taxis and minibuses run mostly during the day.

Talk

The people of Montserrat all speak English (British dialect), albeit with a local accent.

Buy

There is currently only one ATM on the island, at the Royal Bank of Canada.

Bank of Montserrat, St. Peter's, +664 491-3843. Open M-F 8AM-2PM; closes W 1PM, F 3PM.

Royal Bank of Canada, Brades Main Road. +664 491-2426. Open M-F 9AM-2PM; closes W 1PM, F 3PM.

Costs

Visiting the island is a bargain compared to pre-eruption Montserrat and many of its less geologically active neighbors, as the island is anxious to reestablish its tourism industry. The tourism board boasts private villas for as little as US$700/week. Like www.milesawayvilla.com

Eat

John Ponteens Sunday BBQ Little Bay. DD Bar Friday night in Hope by the MVO. Chicken Wilsons in Salem

Drink

Gary Moores Wide awake Bar, Salem. Falming El Paso, St Peter Green Monkey Bar Little Bay Dessert Storm, Salem Misers in Salem. Jaxxons St John

Sleep

Travellers Palm Guest House Olveston www.travellerspalmmontserrat.com

Vue Pointe Hotel, Old Towne, www.vuepointe.com/

Tropical Mansion Suites, PO Box 404, Sweeny's, www.res99.com/hotel/10011213-11297824O.html?lang=ENG

Stay safe

The island is still vulnerable to hurricanes 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.

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.

Stay healthy

No vaccinations are required to enter Montserrat unless coming from a country that has suffered a cholera, yellow fever, or small pox epidemic.

Glendon Hospital, Saint John's. +664 491-2552.

Lee's Pharmacy, Brades Main Road, +664 492-3444. 9AM-7PM.

Contact

Internet Cafes

Andy's Internet Cafe & Repairs, BBC Building, Brades Main Road, +664 491-9768, .

Grant Enterprises & Training, Brades, +664 491-9654.

Introduction:
English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possesion of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid 19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003.

Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico

Population: 9,439
note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2006 est.)

Languages: English

Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Montserrat

Capital: name: Plymouth
geographic coordinates: 16 44 N, 62 14 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note: Plymouth was abandoned in 19

Economy - overview:
Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade.

Latest discussion about North America ▫ Montserrat at forum.scubish.com:

Scuba Montserrat

best diving in the Caribbean on the island of Montserrat, [url]www.scubamontserrat.com[/url] -- Message posted via [url]http://www.scubamonster.com[/url]

Jim Young via ScubaMonster.com

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