Caribbean - Montserrat: Day trip from Antigua?

Greetings all!

Planning a short trip to Antigua for the long Labor Day weekend. We would really like to visit Montserrat if at all possible during the trip, and I wonder if anyone has had experiences with day trips. Any particularly good providers? Should we be looking to fly to Montserrat? Helicopter tour? Boat tour? Is this something we should contact our hotel for help in booking? (We're planning on staying at Sugar Ridge, for now). Any and all guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks much.

If you go to visitmontserrat.com you will see a ferry schedule.

Be sure and actually call the ferry companies before you go, as they seem to go in and out of business quite often.

You will definitely enjoy Montserrat, it is a beautiful place, but somewhat eerie with the possible doom from the volcano hanging over it.

If you decide to stay overnight, this is a great B&B: http://www.bnbchoices.com/montserrat/travellers-palm.bnb

They set up a nice island tour for me with a retired police chief.

Thanks for the replies. The problem with the ferry schedule is that the day trip ferry only runs on Wednesday, and we'll be there Friday through Tuesday. So need a different solution.

Will call the tour operators and see what they have to offer.

Thanks for the replies. The problem with the ferry schedule is that the day trip ferry only runs on Wednesday, and we'll be there Friday through Tuesday. So need a different solution.

Will call the tour operators and see what they have to offer.I flew on a Winair twin otter from ANU to MNI. There used to be 2 or 3 flights per day. Largest windows I have ever had on any flight. Ever. Unfortunately the volcano was obscured by clouds on all three of my visits.

Alas, Winair no longer flies to MNI. Now there is http://www.flymontserrat.com/ Looks like 3 or 4 flights per day for $81.40 each way.
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Thanks to all for the helpful replies; have contacted a few tour providers and will report back on what options look like for the benefit of others.

One other small question about Antigua: Any opinions on whether a rental car is necessary?

On Antigua make sure you go up to Shirley Heights - great views and especially view of the wispy smoke from the volcano on Montserrat!