A volcano, lush forests, a unique history, and friendly people are all great reasons why many people fall in love with our volcano paradise. But, in my opinion, you can also add Montserrat’s beaches to the list.

To give you an idea of why, here’s a collection of my five favorite shores on Montserrat.

New Beach

Let’s kick things off with the newest entry on the list. And by new entry, I mean very new! This beach is only about 20 years old!

New Beach is just what it says it is: a new beach. A product of the multiple large-scale eruptions of Soufriere Hills Volcano, New Beach is the most extensive, most magnificent strip of sand on the island.

Officially called Bottomless Ghaut Beach, it’s home to jet black sand, mighty cliff faces, sea birds, and usually some pretty big waves. So, while it may not be the best swimming beach, it is one of the best walking beaches I’ve ever visited.

Another unique feature of the New Beach is two rock formations perfect for a bit of climb.

Isle’s Bay Beach

Isle’s Bay Beach sits within view of Soufriere Hills Volcano. And just like New Beach, it also benefited from the multiple eruptions of the past decades.

Keen-eyed visitors may notice the remains of a pier that once jutted out into the waters of the bay. Only now, that pier is surrounded by land!

Like New Beach, Isle’s Bay has grown over the years. Today, it boasts more beautiful ebony sands than ever.

And once the sun has painted that black sand with another stunning sunset, Isle’s Bay Beach Bar is the perfect spot to grab a rum and sample their lionfish dishes, burgers, and more.

Lover’s Bay Beach

Ask most Montserratians where Lover’s Bay Beach is, and I imagine you’ll get a few confused looks. Mainly because I don’t think this little cove has an official name on the map. And that’s because it’s so hard to find.

Renting a kayak out of Little Bay from the great people at Scuba Montserrat is your best bet to make this your private paradise for the day.

After about 20 minutes of paddling south, you’ll see it. A teeny tiny clutch of sand tightly gripped by two soaring onyx cliffs.

Visit here with your special someone, and you’re sure to have the cove all to yourself. Hence the name, of course.

Woodlands Beach

Tied for my favorite beach on the island, Woodlands Beach is magnificent for so many reasons.

First, there’s the crystal clear water. Then there are the soaring cliffs that flank the sands. For intrepid explorers who swim around the rocks at the south end of the bay, there’s a stunning rock archway carved out of the cliff. And for the really intrepid, there’s even an underwater rock hole to swim through!

During the day, this beach’s grayish-black sand can even reflect the light with brilliant effect. Making it appear a stunningly brighter color than it is in reality.

Rendezvous Beach

Also tied for the top slot is Rendezvous Beach. This strip of shore claims the distinction of being the island’s only white sand beach.

This secluded bay is like an oasis, only accessible via a short paddle from Little Bay Beach. The bright white sand is so unusual for the island, you almost feel like the beach was plucked from nearby Antigua and dropped on Montserrat.

Of course, the water is crystal clear. And beneath the waves on the bay’s northern end is an elaborate coral reef brimming with fish and other sea life.

All this natural beauty is backed by a blissfully undeveloped green hillside that makes Rendezvous Beach one of the most picturesque on the island.

A collection like nowhere else

No, they’re not your stereotypical collection of best beaches found on other islands usually revered solely for their sands. But what Montserrat’s beaches lack in typical Caribbean splendor, they more than make up for with uncommon character and beauty.