A secret tax haven? Exploring Douglas, ISLE OF MAN

In this video, I explore Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man.
The Isle of Man is a small island situated between Great Britain and Ireland, in the Irish Sea.
Despite its location, or perhaps because of it, the Isle of Man is a bit off the traditional tourist trail, which lends a bit of mystique to it. I wanted to see for myself what the island and its capital looks like.
After all, it has a reputation for being a tax haven (i.e. low "effective" taxation rates) and offshore banking destination, inhabited by cats with no tails and home to a big motorcycle race - so lots of interesting stuff to explore and learn about! Let’s go!

[@GaudzRamirez]

Very beautiful and interesting place! The place where the Bee Gees were born. Beautiful buildings and clean roads. Thank you for the video and information about the Isle of Man that you shared!

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching the video and taking the time to comment! There is actually a Bee Gees statue on the promenade which was temporarily removed when I was in Douglas. A very interesting place for sure!

[@Venunyeallwin]

Awesome 🙌

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching and your kind words, I really appreciate it :)

[@RIANDOA]

Thoroughly enjoying your videos my friend! I like the informative approach, the fact that you take the time to tell us facts about the places you're visiting. So many travel vlogs just put in music and say "I really like this place", but don't touch base as much. Also cool seeing the day-to-day of people who live in these places. Keep up the good work, subbed. :)

[@willieexplore]

Hi Landshark! Thank you so much for your kind words and for supporting my channel. Glad you like the more informative type videos as there are so much to learn about this wonderful world!

[@theeccentricenglishman]

I've just returned to your Douglas video and learned more from your vlogging techniiques. You have a very natural talent. The weather wa sjust as bad in Gauglas when my sister and I returned to revisit childhood holidays. (Son worked for Standard Chartered for over 15 years - Singapre, Hong Kong, Tanzania and Dubai - family coincidence.) I also found Jouyce Grenfell on your playlists Joy. oh joy! Keep up the good work.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for your kind message, Sir! Really appreciate you checking out my content. I try to keep it as raw and natural as possible. The weather was atrocious but I made the best of my visit. Never heard of Joyce Grenfell (on my playlist?) so had to look her up! Thanks again

[@TheTigerman62]

I went once to watch the TT Races and I was captivated by the beauty of the Isle of Man. ❤

[@willieexplore]

A fascinating place! The TT would be my worst nightmare though, but for others it is a life goal to attend :)

[@bazthejazz]

Enjoyed that! Spotting the places in Douglas I visited in 2019 & 2021. For your two days there, you must have done a lot of research. I'm very tempted to retire there, to escape the social problems of its two neighbouring islands.

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much for your kind words and for watching my videos! Yes, I did a lot of reading and research before my trip and some brochures on the plane itself :)

[@theeccentricenglishman]

A really imaginative video. I would never have thought of trying to do a video in that weather but you got unpopulated shots of Douglas that I would never have thought possible. My parents did their courting in Port St Mary in the 30s and retired there in the 90s so I know the island. My sister and I are going back for a nostalgic week in May coming back before the TT takes over the island. You were a bit misled by the size of the island, it is only about 15miles wide at the widest point. You have really encouraged me to keep my camera running in the rain. Thank you.

[@SafferCA]

That's exactly what I'm doing.

[@parkslope7189]

I visited the isle of Mann in 2008 I loved it there the Manx people were so nice to me and their so proud of the culture and history I will go back to visit in the future

[@willieexplore]

Definitely a great place to visit! Lots of history and culture as you rightly point out

[@Angel100475]

I've just returned from a second trip to the Isle of Man, but I was fortunate to have better weather than your video shows! I stayed in Douglas but visited the other main towns. Port Erin is one of my favourites. I enjoyed travelling on the Isle of Man's public transport network, from the Isle of Man Steam Railway, the Manx Electric Railway, Horse-drawn trams in Douglas, and buses. All good. Douglas is okay, but I prefer to get away from the capital and visit the smaller towns and villages, such as Laxey and Peel. As you say, it's not a very big island, so you can pretty much explore the whole island in a week. It's not all about the TT either, but as it's all around you, you can't help but notice how many motorcycles are on the island.

[@willieexplore]

Hi! Sounds like you had a great time on the island. There is definitely a lot to see outside of Douglas, including beautiful countryside.

[@lavonaalexander6330]

Beautiful, my heart is set on staying there and working. Beautiful video very informative

[@willieexplore]

It is a fascinating place Lavona! I could easily live in Douglas myself, it has everything I need and only a 45 minute flight from Gatwick! Thanks for watching my video :)

[@phoebesmith9089]

I’m Manx by ancestry on one side and it’s a bucket list item to visit there. I enjoyed seeing it through your eyes. Jealous from America.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching! And yes you will absolutely love IOM!

[@QuietSniperX]

When you say ancestry. Do you mean your parents or grandparents? Or is this the American thing where your great great great grandparents were Manx and somehow that makes your little toe pure German?

[@lizparker9090]

Another gulable yank, paying money to be told crap. Pay me your dosh and i tell you your japaneese, morrocon ect what ever i can scam you of

[@Lifeontheisleofman]

Thanks for the visit and thanks for kind comments ,welcome anytime if you want a guide your welcome back I'll show you about. 🇮🇲

[@willieexplore]

Thank you for your kind comments, I really appreciate it! Would love to go back to the IOM at some point and visit Port Erin, Ramsey, Bride and much more. Will definitely let you know!

[@anthonykinrade8642]

@@willieexplore Steer clear of Bride, they are n't domesticated yet! They run around in head dresses made from cats tails and talk to fairies.

[@ladytron1724]

Thanks for the memories.Spent some time on holiday in the I.O.M during the 60s and 70s.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching and supporting my channel!

[@no_soy_rubio]

Interesting video mate. I'd like to visit the Isle of Man myself. Shame you didn't get better weather! The look that guy was giving you at 13:45 made me chuckle 🤣

[@willieexplore]

Cheers mate, thanks for watching! The weather wasn't great but I still enjoyed my visit. Lol I actually had a quick chat with that guy before I filmed that section, he was actually very nice! Haha

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@willieexplore yeah I admire your glass half full attitude! Ahhh ok maybe he just wanted to be on film then 🤣🤣

[@anthonykinrade8642]

That's because he was a local! They don't like comeovers!

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@anthonykinrade8642 I'd better stay away then 🤐😂

[@nikita7318]

A very interesting place! Thanks for the film. It looked no difference from those seaside towns in England, and the turkey take away!! I think I have no problem living there as well, but not sure about the job opportunities? I was told also it is a tax saver place...a lot of company registered there...

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching nikita! Yes it definitely has a similar vibe to any seaside town in the UK. In terms of jobs and relocating there - they seem to advertise quite heavily for people with skills to move to IOM. Could be a very interesting place to live with a good work-life balance.

[@nikita7318]

@@willieexplore Thanks mate!! That is a very useful information! ! Thank you very much!

[@richido21]

You really didn’t do Isle of Man any justice in this video. It has much more historic and interesting places than you portrayed. If you ever decide to visit again, please research our island and culture more thoroughly. If you wish I would be more than happy to show you around our island

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for the offer Frank, that is very kind! The idea in this video though wasn't to "do Isle of Man any justice", but instead to explore Douglas specifically. I only had a Saturday and Sunday and, as you can see, the weather wasn't very camera-friendly. Having said that, I really enjoyed Douglas even on a rainy day. I know there are loads more to see and experience on the island itself so I hope to be back in future. Cheers for watching my videos!

[@anthonypope8429]

great video very interesting i have not been there since i was a young lad and it was the first time i went on the lsle of man ferry with my family

[@willieexplore]

Many thanks for your kind comments there Andy, I really appreciate it! What a great place to visit, I really liked Douglas

[@onone9149]

Looks good 👍🏻

[@willieexplore]

Cheers for watching!

[@christopherandrochellchann3581]

Great video enjoyed watching thanks 😊

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@JBMtravels]

Great KZbin video and channel. Much KZbin love from another KZbinr.

[@willieexplore]

Thank you JBM! Will be checking out your videos on those pubs and inns shortly :)

[@CheerfulAntenna-om7ls]

Dankie Willie

[@willieexplore]

Groot plesier! Dankie vir die saamkyk!

[@thelandoficeofficial5351]

I wish. I can do the same you do my friend. to show to others how beautiful the world. Keep safe 🙏

[@willieexplore]

And you my friend!

[@alicequayle4625]

If you come back try and go on the tour of the Gaiety Theatre. Its beautiful inside.

[@willieexplore]

I bet it does! I definitely want to return one day and see more of the island in general. Thanks for watching my videos, much appreciated!

[@elisabethschweitzer817]

🇮🇲Wunderschöne Insel 💖🌴🍀

[@willieexplore]

Very interesting place! Thanks for watching :)

[@johnkemp6652]

You missed the old sea wall near TK Maxx. The remaining evidence of where the sea used to come in to. They reclaimed land giving you the lay of the land today.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for this extra information John, much appreciated!

[@EKon9ish]

Beautiful place

[@willieexplore]

Absolutely!

[@paulbrooker6005]

The action of Sir William Hillary, led to the creation of what is today The National Lifeboat Association.

[@willieexplore]

Wonderful legacy!

[@EelingStudios]

Now used as a free ferry from Calais to Dover

[@hardcor1313]

My Mothers Grandparents are from the Isle of Man and moved to the United States.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for sharing your story! Appreciate you checking out my content

[@jaspervanzyl6212]

Great video, Willa. The road less traveled. There is a little bit of magic in everything in life.

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much! And yes, indeed!

[@onlyjesussaves840]

There's 9 cat breeds that have no tails according to Google anyway. ;) I owned a Manx cat once, he had no tail, he was part Siamese beautiful cat, with blue eyes. :)

[@willieexplore]

Would have loved to see one!

[@harshshah1453]

Hi , I have a UK tourist visa can I travel to Isle of Man or do I need a separate visa . I am based in Asia

[@willieexplore]

Hi, I believe so, but cannot say for certain. There is no passport control when you travel from the UK.

[@gazriley624]

I've been there walked all over the island. i'm just across the Irish sea in Liverpool

[@willieexplore]

Really enjoyed my time in Douglas, want to go back to the island at some point to explore more of the smaller towns and nature.

[@gazriley624]

@@willieexplore it's a lot nicer in the summer when it's warm and if you go to the far north of the island they have wild Wallabies! i sadly did not see them but loved going on hikes there it's pretty easy to explore the whole island by local buses too

[@willieexplore]

@@gazriley624 No way re the wallabies! Will definitely have to go and do a proper holiday on IOM. Thanks for watching and engaging, really appreciate it!

[@YesMateRCMann]

40% of the island is unoccupied? What do you mean ?

[@willieexplore]

As in lots of open space etc.

[@davidGPS95]

Hi Willie how does the Isle of Man compare to Jersey and Guernsey?

[@willieexplore]

Hi David, a bit of an unfair question for me to answer as I really did not spend a lot of time in all of them, but of course they are all crown dependencies. As you can see, my day in Douglas was a bit of a weather challenge, but I still enjoyed it. From what I experienced online, many people (though not all people) from IOM are a bit sensitive about the "tax haven" tag and I'm not sure the TT Races will be my kind of thing. That's not to say I won't go back - most people I engaged with were very friendly. Jersey and Guernsey were extremely hospitable but I could definitely sense a bit of friendly banter between the two!

[@mayousimon1]

Nice video when you filmed it? It's a city now

[@willieexplore]

Cheers Simon, hope you found it informative! It was filmed at the end of June. Not the summer weather I hoped for but still enjoyed my visit!

[@flokser021]

You are miss The Bee Gees statue on Promenade Douglas

[@willieexplore]

Funny story but the Bee Gees statue was not there when I did my video! They temporarily removed it from the promenade for renovation. Cheers for watching!

[@nishadominic1154]

Where to stay pls send me the list of stay

[@willieexplore]

Hi Nisha, I did not do a room review in this video but there are loads of hotels on the seafront that I'm sure will be great places to stay. The internet will know far better than me!

[@cat_city2009]

6:30 No comment on the three guys identically dressed?

[@willieexplore]

Haha that is a sharp observation :)

[@mashasofia9785]

Hi, I have been watching your KZbin videos. You are doing a great job. How can I get a visa to come to Ise of man? I want you to help out,I will finance myself, all I need from you how you can help me with the visa . Thanks

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching my videos. Unfortunately I don't have information for you that would help.

[@alicequayle4625]

Looks like you were there when the scooter rally was on.

[@willieexplore]

Looks like it! Certainly a popular choice of transport

[@theeccentricenglishman]

I forgot o ask. What gear did you use to get the smooth walking shots?

[@willieexplore]

Cheers! I use a GoPro Hero 9

[@theeccentricenglishman]

@@willieexplore That encourages me to take my Avaso Brave 7 LE as well as my iPhone 13 pro

[@mikespeers8281]

It’s a little smaller than you think😂, it’s only 13 miles wide not 30 😮

[@willieexplore]

Thanks Mike, I did say 13...maybe it is my distinct South African accent that causes difficulty sometimes

[@willieexplore]

@@dejuren1367 some people only hear what they want to hear

[@sheilam4525]

Would love to travel here but there are no direct flights from Scotland and travelling any other way is too expensive. As you said it does look like a U.K. seaside town but some of the streets are similiar to Jersey without the French influence, of course! Thanks for showing us round, Willie

[@willieexplore]

Cheers Sheila! Definite similarities there with the UK and even Jersey. But a wonderful place to visit. Interesting to hear that there are no direct flights from Scotland!

[@ManxieG11]

Loganair from Edinburgh several times a week. Train to Lancaster/Heysham or Liverpool then Steampacket as a foot passenger is quite inexpensive.

[@sheilam4525]

@@ManxieG11 Loganair don't fly direct and train travel too expensive. Thanks.

[@ManxieG11]

@@sheilam4525 Yes they do.......I fly that route every other week!

[@ManxieG11]

Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday......

[@maheshgunjal3540]

Hi

[@willieexplore]

Hello!

[@michaeltb1358]

There are thousands of South Africans living in the Isle of Man. The second most common language is Afrikaans.

[@willieexplore]

I found this out after my visit! In fact, there are some South Africans living there whom I know but didn't realise they were on the island.

[@advancelast1740]

Athol Street - aka rouges gallery

[@willieexplore]

Interesting place

[@alicequayle4625]

Rogues gallery

[@MdMasudRana-jq9fz]

can your help your sir visa

[@willieexplore]

I can't unfortunately

[@endlessglizzys_.0233]

Clean and not overcrowded, better quality of life.

[@willieexplore]

Certainly a great place to live in my opinion!

[@ejlgamer6154]

if your manx translate this in replies: cufelt arou dulish

[@ejlgamer6154]

i dont have time its just welcome to douglas in manx

[@willieexplore]

Nice one! thank you ;)

[@flatearth5821]

IOM a tax haven? Yes, but also a mega laundry. The corrupt money enters the first computer, then the second, the third, the fourth and when it emerges from the fifth computer it is so white, so dazzlingly white and clean it could easily put Persil out of business.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching!

[@daveanthony5390]

Manx cats have been extinct for a long time

[@willieexplore]

There are still cats on the island, believe it or not!

[@daveanthony5390]

@@willieexplore not according to the locals I asked when I was there twice in 2 years

[@paulcrockett6105]

Rubbish lots of Manx cats

[@jeannedouglas9912]

Kinda looks like a ghost town . Lol. Still I would love to bum around for a few weeks and re live my karma .

[@willieexplore]

Definitely a nice place to visit Jeanne! If you like motorcycles the TT will be an amazing experience; if like me you can't stand them then don't go during the TT :)