Montserrat Offers Sail Cruises from Antigua

by TravelPulse Staff
Last updated: 7:21 AM ET, Mon October 13, 2008

Montserrat's new aquatic adventure offers visitors views of the island's coastline and tropical landscape. Beginning Dec. 1, Ondeck Sailing will provide travelers with a taste of the ocean by providing daily sailing excursions between Falmouth Harbor in Antigua and Little Bay in Montserrat using 65-footer Ocean Racing Yachts. "The Montserrat Tourist Board has been working closely with the Ondeck Group for the past couple of months trying to make this sailing excursion a reality. Our goal is to encourage and increase day trippers from Antigua as well as give visitors an opportunity to add on a few days to their vacation in Montserrat," said Ernestine Cassell, director of tourism, Montserrat Tourist Board.

On deck skippers will provide instructional information to those who are interested in learning the mechanics of sailing. Guests are encouraged to participate in every aspect of the tours as the trip appeals to both experienced and inexperienced sailors. Tours depart Antigua at 8 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday with a three- to four-hour downwind sail to Montserrat. The yacht return trip departs at 1 p.m. for a four- to five-hour upwind return trip to Antigua.

The flexible schedule allows visitors to spend time enjoying the island's unique activities such as rainforest hiking, horseback riding, diving, snorkeling, sun bathing on dark sand beaches, volcano viewing and boat trips to see the former capital city of Plymouth submerged beneath lava flows. Visitors are encouraged to spend a few days also experiencing Montserratian hospitality at an affordable price with a wide selection of accommodations from guesthouses to villas and a modern hotel. The cost of a roundtrip tour is $189 per person. For more information, call 268-562-6696 or visit www.ondeckoceanracing.com/antigua/montserrat-adventure.htm or www.visitmontserrat.com.