Montserrat
Anguilla's turquoise waters boast seven marine parks: Dog Island, Prickley Pear, Seal Island Reef System, Little Bay, Sandy Island, Shoal Bay Harbour Reef System and Stoney Bay Marine Park. Dive sites include wreck dives, shore dives, mini wall dives, night dives and heritage diving. Anguilla is known for its intentionally sunk shipwrecks. The island is home to a truly unique attraction, a 960-ton Spanish galleon, El Buen Consejo, that rests on the ocean floor with its cannons and cargo serving as a silent testament to the Caribbean's turbulent past. Anguilla also boasts a healthy double reef system, where a wide variety of corals flourish.
Weather: About 80 degrees year-round.
Average Water Temp: Mid-80Fs in summer in the north, dropping to mid-70Fs in winter. Dive season is year-round.
Average Visibility: 100-plus feet.
Travel Savvy: A passport and onward or return ticket is required. Anguilla is 20 minutes north from French St. Martin by ferry. There are a number of options available for getting to the island. Visitors can fly directly into Anguilla's Wallblake Airport from Puerto Rico via American Eagle/American Airlines and LIAT, or opt to fly directly to St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Thomas or St. Kitts for easy transfer to Anguilla
Destination Links: www.anguilla-vacation.com and www.ahta.ai.
Perhaps best known for a volcanic eruption that rocked the island in the mid-90s, Montserrat has bounced back to become an intriguing option for those who like their dive vacation destinations just a little bit off the beaten path. This volcanic activity has created a unique environment by helping rejuvenate local reefs, and the reduced visitors to the island has minimized impact. With only two dive shops on island, you're bound to get personalized attention. The island was settled by Irish Catholics in the 1600s, and has been dubbed the "Emerald Isle of the Caribbean," not only for its Celtic roots but for its rolling green hills and dramatic cliffs. It's been the home of the rich and famous, as well as the location of a famous recording studio frequented by the Beatles, Eric Clapton and Sting. Popular dive sites include Rendezvous Bay, a deep and shallow dive for all levels, Pot of Gold with its stingrays and huge barrel sponges, and Redonda, a small islet 14 miles offshore which features doezens of old ships anchors, turtles and sharks.
Weather: Summer and winter temperatures average between 76F and 88F, with constant sea and mountain breezes.
Average Water Temp: Ranges from 85F in summer to the mid- to high 70Fs in winter.
Average Visibility: Often exceeds 80 feet.
Travel Savvy: Currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). A valid passport is recommended for all visitors; however, US Canadian and British citizens may present a driver's license or official ID card as proof of citizenship.
