Montserrat: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
1 harbour
Montserrat: 1 harbour, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: East Caribbean dollar
Clearing in: British overseas territory, outside the EU and Schengen and not in the customs territory of the United Kingdom. The only port of entry is Little Bay; going ashore before clearance is a criminal offence. Only the skipper goes to the pier in the dinghy; according to customs the boat may be left unattended only in Little Bay. After dredging works, yachts tend to anchor in Rendezvous Bay or Carr's Bay. Advance notice via SailClear, and for every person the online ED form from 72 hours before arrival.
Ausreise: Clear out at a port of entry before departure (port clearance): the next state asks for the certificate on clearing in.
Documents: Passport valid for six months beyond the stay; Germans need no visa for up to 180 days, with an onward or return ticket. Boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Fees: No fee for customs and immigration; port dues and overtime outside Monday to Friday.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Soufrière Hills volcano: zone V with Plymouth is closed, pass through the Maritime Zones East and West only in daylight without stopping; check the current status with the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. Heavy silting off Old Road Bay and Plymouth.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November, peak August to October; no hurricane hole, the anchorages are open roadsteads. Insurers usually restrict cover during the season: check your policy.
Emergency: VHF channel 16 and DSC; the rescue coordination centre is MRCC Fort-de-France (CROSS Antilles-Guyane), +596 596 70 92 92.
Sources: Noonsite: Montserrat, Montserrat Volcano Observatory: Current Hazard Level, SARcontacts: Montserrat, Auswärtiges Amt: United Kingdom (with the overseas territories), travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Montserrat (Little Bay)
Frequently asked questions
Montserrat: Do I need to clear in?
British overseas territory, outside the EU and Schengen and not in the customs territory of the United Kingdom. The only port of entry is Little Bay; going ashore before clearance is a criminal offence. Only the skipper goes to the pier in the dinghy; according to customs the boat may be left unattended only in Little Bay. After dredging works, yachts tend to anchor in Rendezvous Bay or Carr's Bay. Advance notice via SailClear, and for every person the online ED form from 72 hours before arrival.
Montserrat: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months beyond the stay; Germans need no visa for up to 180 days, with an onward or return ticket. Boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Montserrat: What fees apply?
No fee for customs and immigration; port dues and overtime outside Monday to Friday.
Montserrat: What is the emergency number at sea?
VHF channel 16 and DSC; the rescue coordination centre is MRCC Fort-de-France (CROSS Antilles-Guyane), +596 596 70 92 92.
Montserrat: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 1 harbour with harbour info, weather and route planning.