Caribbean Phoenix

Rising like a ‘Phoenix from the ashes’ - a series of volcanic eruptions in the 1990s, have ultimately proved no setback for Montserrat’s marine environment. Within the exclusion zone imposed for many years, the ecosystem has thrived without human intervention, and is now healthier than ever.

Dive Worldwide offers a 7-night holiday exploring the island’s untouched reefs and volcanic caverns from a base at Tropical Mansion Suites boutique resort, departing daily from Gatwick throughout 2008.

Some of Montserrat's greatest treasures lie in the sea. This island was never densely populated and, prior to the Soufriere Hills volcanic eruption, was inhabited by no more than 12,000 people, too few to seriously pollute the surrounding sea. As a consequence, Montserrat is one of few places in the Caribbean where hard corals are virtually free of the destructive diseases attributed to pollution.

Most of the diving and snorkeling is on the west coast where conditions are usually calm, allowing shallow reefs to develop to their full potential. In the very shallow region (10 to 30-feet), adjacent to the cliffs, boulders of variable sizes are covered with sponges, and hard corals. Here, small to medium size brain corals, star corals and pillar corals compete for space and sea plumes and sea fans provide a fairy-tale forest.

A little further out, boulder fields are replaced by rocky ledges separated by valleys, often compared to aisles in a supermarket - a supermarket with a difference, where shelves are lined with a stunning array of living marine life! Tropical Mansion Suites, new to Dive Worldwide, offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, the lush centre and Silver Hills, and is conveniently located just minutes from local restaurants and shops. Diving with the Green Monkey Inn and Dive Centre allows for customised dive excursions designed to match individual requirements.

The holiday costs from £1,109 p/p (twin share) including international flights, taxes, 7-nights room only accommodation at Tropical Mansion Suites plus 10-dive package with tanks and weights.

For more information, visit Diveworldwide.com.