Antigua Visitors Guide

Shirley Heights is a restored military lookout and gun battery that offers amazing views of the English Harbor and Falmouth Harbor. The trail to the lookout is relatively easy and is highly recommended for anyone visiting Antigua. As it is the high point on the island it is the perfect place to take in two of Antigua’s most famous vistas either during the day or at sunset.

The easiest way to get to the trailhead is to book a hiking tour that includes transport from your hotel and guide. If you stay until the sun sets and you are extremely lucky, you may even catch a green jet of light in the sky, which is known as the “Green Flash”!

  Check out this flexible hiking tour that will let you pick which trail you visit!

Antigua is well known for sailing and even hosts the epic Antigua Sailing Week from April 22-26 each year. Throughout the year, visitors can book day long sailing excursions on the island, such as this Sailing Antigua’s West Coast excursion. However, for the more adventurous and dedicated, Antigua offers weeklong classes that allow students to stay aboard and learn everything there is to know about sailing.

Visiting the beaches in Antigua is an absolute must-do for anyone traveling to this Caribbean paradise. With its stunning coastline offering a beach for virtually every day of the year, visitors are spoiled for choice. The beaches are known for their powdery white sand, crystal-clear waters, and calm seas, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.

Popular beaches such as Dickenson Bay and Turner Beach offer a range of amenities, including beach bars, restaurants, and water sports equipment rentals. For those seeking a more secluded experience, there are many hidden gems to discover, such as Half Moon Bay, which is known to be a visitor’s favorite as the crescent-shaped beach offers a quiet place to relax or a great place to bodysurf and snorkel.

Curtain Bluff Beach (pictured above) is a less developed but beautiful beach as well.

Today Nelson’s Dockyard houses a museum, a five-star hotel, gift shops, art galleries, and restaurants, but in the early 18^th century this area of the English Harbor was used to protect ships from storms and to monitor French naval activity.

Later in history, it became even more important as the only harbor in the Caribbean that was large enough to repair naval ships. Today, the dockyard has been meticulously restored and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visitors can learn about the history of the restored 18^th and 19th-century buildings in the Dockyard Museum, which is in the old Admiral’s house. The dockyard is also home to several luxury yachts and serves as a base for many regattas and sailing events throughout the year. For history buffs and sailing enthusiasts alike, Nelson’s Dockyard is a must-visit destination in Antigua.

  Take a look at this Historic Island Tour that features Nelson’s Dockyard and Betty’s Hope. Or check out this Scenic Tour of Antigua that takes you to all of the island’s best sites past and present, including Nelson’s Dockyard.

If you are into watersports and nature, Antigua offers some great excursions to get you close to both. Kayaking and snorkeling in the mangroves of Antigua is a one-of-a-kind adventure that combines the beauty of the island’s marine life with the serenity of kayaking.

Visitors can paddle through the labyrinth of mangrove-lined channels before stopping to snorkel in the clear waters of the surrounding coral reefs. The mangroves provide a habitat for a wide variety of marine creatures, from tropical fish and sea turtles to rays and even the occasional dolphin. The combination of kayaking and snorkeling provides a full immersion in the natural beauty of Antigua, making it a perfect activity for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Knowledgeable guides are available to lead tours and provide insights into the ecology and history of this unique ecosystem.

One suggestion is this Half Day Jeep Safari with Mangrove Kayaking and Reef Snorkeling. This tour lets visitors kayak through a lagoon to reach a private beach and then stops for snorkeling off of Cades Reef.

While in Antigua, make sure to check out one of the many cooking classes that allow visitors to learn about the unique cuisine of Antigua. Tourists can learn how to make curries, jerks, and other famous Antiguan dishes.  Make sure to also try Antigua’s unique black pineapple!

  The best cooking classes on the island can be found at Nicole’s Table, where you can take a variety of classes including All About Jerk, Cooking With Rum, From The Sea, and Coordinating Curry.

  If you’re not interested in learning how to cook but want to enjoy Antigua’s cuisine, consider this City Lime Food Tour where you can taste Antiguan culture as you make your way through Heritage Quay.

The jungle and forests of Antigua are stunning examples of the island’s natural beauty. The dense, lush foliage is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, with towering trees, colorful flowers, and exotic birds providing a feast for the senses. Visitors can explore the trails by hiking or biking and discover hidden streams, waterfalls, and tranquil ponds while soaking up the natural ambiance.

If you are up for an adventure, book an excursion that takes you through the beautiful jungle and tropical forests of the island. One great trip is this Trek Tours Hiking Experience. This two to three-hour excursion will have you exploring the natural beauty of the island on foot!

Wandering around St. John’s is an enjoyable experience because it’s a vibrant and bustling capital city, bursting with color, culture, and history. Visitors can stroll through the lively streets, browsing local shops and farmer’s markets, and admiring the colorful Caribbean architecture. The city is home to several museums and historic sites, including St. John’s Cathedral and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, which provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the island’s fascinating history and culture.

  Take a look at this City of St. John’s Sightseeing Tour where you can take in the most fascinating sights in the capital city.

Antigua boasts a diverse range of ecosystems, each with its own unique flora and fauna. The island’s stunning coastal ecosystems provide a habitat for a wide variety of marine life. The island’s rainforests and dry forests are home to countless species of birds, reptiles, and mammals, while its wetlands support rare and endangered plant and animal species. Antigua’s ecosystems are a crucial part of the island’s natural heritage, and visitors can gain a deeper appreciation for the island’s biodiversity by exploring these ecosystems on an eco excursion.

There are a few different tours that visitors can choose from, but one highly popular suggestion is the Adventure Antigua Eco Tour.

On this excursion, guests will spend a full day in North Antigua, where there are 22 uninhabited islands that include the turtle project at Jumby Bay, the Mangrove system of Guiana Island, and the reef ball system at Maiden Island.

Some of the best diving in the world is in Antigua and diving here offers a unique and unforgettable experience for divers of all levels. From the water’s well-preserved reefs to the mystical shipwrecks, there is a great adventure to be had for any diver.

Divers can explore a range of underwater environments, from shallow reefs to deep shipwrecks, and encounter a variety of marine life such as parrotfish, batfish, turtles, eagle rays, barracuda, and in some places even reef sharks and nurse sharks.

Jettias Wreck is one of the most famous shipwrecks to explore. A French steam-powered freighter that sunk in 1817. Some of the best reefs to explore are Pillars of Hercules, Mary Kay Reef, and Chimney’s Reef.

Antigua’s warm waters and good visibility make it an ideal location for diving year-round, and the island offers many reputable dive operators and certification courses for those new to diving.

  Check out this great Eco-Friendly Diver Trip!

Located on the west coast of Antigua lies Pearns Point, a dramatic and spectacular peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Reaching out into the beautiful aquamarine waters of the Caribbean sits a stretch of untouched hillside surrounded by powder soft, white sand beaches. For gorgeous 360-degree views, cross the security barrier and keep driving up the peninsula hill. There isn’t a clear path, but you can venture across the grass. Pearns Point is likely to be taken over by private homes, but for now, you can savor the stunning views of Antigua from this hilltop paradise. You can also access Saint Garusi Beach from here.

Known as the most beautiful drive in Antigua, you can’t miss Fig Tree Drive while visiting the island. This scenic route winds through lush countryside, offering breathtaking views and a unique Antiguan experience for nature lovers and explorers alike. Along Fig Tree Drive, you’ll have the opportunity to visit charming villages that offer a glimpse into the Antiguan way of life. Stop by the village of Old Road and chat with the friendly locals who are eager to share their traditions. 

Make sure to stop and have afternoon tea in the rainforest at Vintage Tea House, located within the grounds of Mount Tabor Retreat. Try the Paddling Duck Tea Collection, which is made of local organic bush tea from Antigua. Check out Claremont Farms, a working farm that supplies street vendors and local restaurants year-round. Try a piece of black pineapple, and thank us later! You can also access the Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour from here. Glide through the air on 12 zip lines that give you a bird’s eye view of the rainforest. 

 Check out this Scenic Full Day Tour of Antigua, which includes Fig Tree Drive, Devil’s Bridge, Blockhouse, Shirley Heights, and Nelson Dockyard. 

Rum in the Ruins is a weekly archaeological and history talk about UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Antigua, including English Harbour and the Antigua Naval Dockyard. Situated above Nelson’s Dockyard at the Dow’s Hill Fortification and Interpretation Center, you’ll experience a historical tour by a Heritage expert at Rum In The Ruins. You’ll discover the exciting details of daily life in the 18th century and the history of sugar and rum. Learn how Antigua’s geopolitical context fits into the wider British Atlantic World while watching the sun dip below the horizon. Each week brings new stories and adventures in one of the world’s most beautiful and picturesque places. Sunset and two drinks are included, and tickets cost around $25 per person, including an Antiguan classic rum punch cocktail! You can book your tickets here. Keep in mind that tours operate seasonally, primarily during the high season from fall through spring.

The unbelievable views atop Monk’s Hill are worth the climb! Glance to your left to see the stunning Shirley Mountains, look to the East for beautiful Willoughby Bay and English Harbour, and get views of so much of Antigua along this hike. This is also known as Fort George, and the fort was built in 1689 to defend the British settlers against invasions from the French and the Arawaks. 

There are two ways to get to Monk’s Hill: hike the 2-mile round trip trail or drive. This moderate trail has steep sections, but the views are worth the climb! Give yourself around an hour to complete the hike. Be aware that the trailhead is not marked, but you can reach it by driving north of English Harbour to Cobbs Cross Primary School. Go past the school and keep left at every fork in the road until you reach the dirt/stone road. This is where the Monk’s Hill trailhead begins. You can also drive to Monk’s Hill, but this isn’t recommended if you have a rental car. 

On the south shores of Antigua, you’ll find Carlisle Beach surrounded by hills and the beautiful rainforest. This expansive beach offers crystal clear waters, soft sand, and fantastic snorkeling, where you can find various tropical fish. Make sure to bring your mask and fins! If you’re looking for a serene and peaceful beach in Antigua, this is the place for you. Carlisle Beach is home to Carlisle Bay Resort, which offers ultra-luxurious suites featuring stunning ocean views with floor-to-ceiling windows. All suites have balconies and terraces equipped with day beds for enjoying the Caribbean sunshine. Carlisle Beach is an authentic slice of a serene island paradise. 

Fort James is an old British fort built in the 1700s at the entrance of beautiful St. John’s Harbour. Many of the forts built by the British during the 18th century were constructed due to the fear of the French invasion, and in 1773, Fort James was armed with 36 guns and 75 men. Stroll around the grounds of Fort James and marvel at the intact structures and the 18th-century cannons. 

Take in the fantastic panoramic views from the fort before heading to Beach Limerz for a drink and a bite to eat. Next to the fort is one of the most popular beaches in Antigua, Fort James Beach, which bears the same name. Make sure to hit the soft white sand and take in this gorgeous beach’s crystal-clear turquoise waters. 

Check out this Historic City, Fort, and Beach E-Bike Tour, where you’ll pedal through the heart of St. John’s to historic Fort James on the water’s edge.