Montserrat and Redonda Islands

[RoKal]

Just returned from a trip to Montserrat. this island defines "laid back" and old Carribean. The volcanoe and ruins of Plymouth are awsome.
Diving at Montserrat is typical Lesser Antilles but uninhabited Redonda, 11 miles offshore is "world class". It takes a special request to Troy at the Green Monkey Diveshop and good weather to go over but it is virtually pristine and unexplored. We helped Troy and DM Ned set the first mooring bouys. Troy indicated maybe 50 divers a year visit Redonda but surely the word will get out!
For a shallow shore dive or night dive "The Barge" just offshore from the Green Monkey was a treat.

 

[vladimir]

Forgive my skepticism; what made Redonda "world class?" Did you see any pelagics? Sharks? Large schools of fish? Great variety of fish, coral, invertebrate species? How did it compare to an Indo-pacific destination? Was it, maybe, just "Caribbean class?"

I'm not trying to be difficult (I know, it's hard to tell), but you have piqued my interest and I'd love some more details.

 

[ippy01]

You have piqued my interest. I have a chance to go to Montserrat in late Spring and would love to know what you saw around Redonda.

Thanks -- looking forward to hearing about the marine life!

 

[RICHinNC]

How did you get there....what flights from where....cost?????

 

[John2006]

I was there in Feb. The diving at Redonda was amazing. Saw a bunch of MASSIVE sea turtles. One was so old, he had shells & barnacles on his shell... The diving around Montserrat was pretty good too (although not as great as Redonda). Viz ranged from about 75-100 feet, while it was about 150 (or more) around Redonda. On my last dive, I found an old anchor which probably dated from the 17th-18th century (yes, the diving on Montserrat is really that undeveloped).

Getting to Montserrat isn't that bad, but it's not all that easy either. We connected via Antigua on Win Air, and from there it's a 15 min. flight. Keep in mind though that Montserrat isn't exactly Cancun when it comes to excitement after dark. BUT if pristine diving, and deserted black sand beaches are your thing (all in the shadow of a live volcano), it's heaven on Earth.