Plymouth
Plymouth is the former capital of Montserrat, where the Soufrière Hills volcano covered much of the town in ash from 1995. Visitors come on a guided, restricted trip to see it.
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Plymouth was the capital of Montserrat, a small British Overseas Territory in the Leeward Islands. From 1995 the Soufrière Hills volcano erupted, and ash and pyroclastic flows buried much of the town. The south of the island was evacuated, and Plymouth has been empty since. Visitors see rooftops, walls and streets still half-covered in ash.
Go for a guided visit if you want to see a place shaped by a volcano and can accept controlled access. Entry to the restricted area is managed, so you travel with a guide and stay on the route they set. The dry season runs roughly December to May, the usual choice for outdoor visits, though the island can be visited all year. Flights to Montserrat usually connect through Antigua. Plan at least half a day for the visit and check current access rules before you book.
Plymouth in five
- Book access to the Exclusion ZoneMost of Plymouth lies inside the Exclusion Zone, where entry is restricted. Go with a licensed guide and confirm access before you travel.Tours and tickets
- Check the volcano alert levelActivity at the Soufrière Hills volcano can change access quickly. Check the Montserrat Volcano Observatory before you fly, and again on arrival.
- Fly through AntiguaFlights to Montserrat connect through Antigua's V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU), with a short connecting flight. Leave a spare day in the plan in case a schedule changes.Getting around
- Drive on the left in a small carMontserrat drives on the left, as in the UK, and the roads are narrow and winding. Pick a small car and read the rental terms before you book.
- Carry a dust mask and eye protectionAsh from the volcano can settle on roads and blow through the air in active periods. A dust mask and sunglasses help on dusty days and during zone visits.
Things to do in Plymouth
See all attractions in Plymouth
Need to know
- Currency
- East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for some passports; check the official list first
- Emergency
- 999 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Check the bill for a service charge before you tip
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, cooler
- FebruaryDry season
- MarchDry, pleasant
- AprilDry, warm
- MayDry, warm
- JuneHurricane season
- JulyHot, wet
- AugustHurricane peak
- SeptemberHurricane peak
- OctoberWet, storms
- NovemberWet, storms
- DecemberDry starts
Right now in Plymouth
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 32 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 43%
Plymouth
06:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°28°43%Monday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Tue28°26°28%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Wed28°27°16%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Thu27°26°35%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Fri28°26°49%Friday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sat27°24°49%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sun27°25°43%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 43%.
Updated 04:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.7 XCD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Antiguaabout 20 min by airA larger island with beaches, a short flight away.Read the guide
- Bradesby car, a short driveThe capital, with government offices and the island's shops.Read the guide
- Plymouth Exclusion Zone tourhalf a day with a guideThe buried town, seen on a permitted route with a licensed guide.Read the guide
Before you go to Plymouth
Rules for Plymouth, checked
- Entry to the Plymouth Exclusion Zone is restricted. Enter only with authorised access and follow police and volcano-monitoring directions.Source
- Drive on the left, as in the UK, and check your rental agreement before you leave the car park.
- Dial 999 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere on Montserrat.
Plan around Plymouth
Island regions, entry, transport and money
Read the guideTours into the zonePermitted visits with a licensed guide
Read the guideGetting around MontserratCar hire, taxis and the link from Antigua
Read the guideEntry rules for MontserratWho needs a visa and what to carry
Read the guideMoney on the islandCash in East Caribbean dollars and when to pay by card
Read the guideWhere to stayStays in Brades and the villages outside the zone
Read the guidePlymouth FAQ
Can you visit Plymouth, Montserrat?
Only in part, and only with authorised access. Plymouth was buried by eruptions of the Soufrière Hills volcano from 1995 to 1997, and most of the town lies inside the Exclusion Zone.
Is Plymouth Montserrat safe to visit?
Visits go through a licensed guide, who follows the volcano alerts. Stay out of the zone when access is closed, and check the Montserrat Volcano Observatory before you go.
How do you get to Montserrat?
Fly into Antigua (ANU) and take a connecting flight to Montserrat. Schedules can be limited, so check times before you book the rest of the trip.
How many days do you need on Montserrat?
Plan at least half a day for the zone tour. Allow two or three days if you also want to see the rest of the island.
When is the best time to visit Montserrat?
January to April falls in the dry season. Hurricane season runs June to November, and storms can cut short trips and close roads.