| Reviews and photos of Antigua and Barbuda attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Antigua and Barbuda sightseeing. Map |
 | Antigua and Barbuda Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 103 |  |
Lord Nelson was based at English Harbour from 1784 to 1787.
Nelson's Dockyard has had many of its buildings restored & they now house modern facilities that still reflect the naval heritage of English Harbour. Private yachts now replace Naval vessels in the harbour. It is a pleasant place to spend a relaxing & cultural day in beautifully maintained surroundings.
You would need at least a couple of hours to appreciate its charm & take in its historical worth. If you can spend more time here, (& you could easily spend a full day here) there is plenty to see, much to learn & several select looking restaurants to escape the sun at lunchtime. Quite a few shops selling souvenirs can be found here too. Unfortunately we had just 40 minutes to rush round & merely get a taste of what was on offer, it was a great shame - now we will just have to go back! Leave a Comment Address: South of Antigua island
|
 by tweetycaro
Shops can be found anywhere from new complexes to beautiful brightly coloured renovated 19th century Caribbean buildings. Leave a Comment
|
 by tweetycaroLeave a Comment
|
 by tweetycaro
On Sunday afternoons the view is accompanied by barbecue, rum punch, and reggae music.
The site is named for General Shirley, Governor of the Leeward Islands when the area was fortified in the late eighteenth century. Close by is the cemetery, in which stands an obelisk erected in honour of the soldiers of the 54th regiment. Leave a Comment Address: Shirley HeightsDirections: I never had a better party on a sunday afternoon
|
 Windmill at Betty's Hope by Rachael71Leave a Comment Directions: Near Pares VillageOther Contact: Antigua Museum, St. John's
|
 Wadadli Cats Cruise by LisaMJ
If yes, then this trip is for you. The Wadadli Cats Triple Destination cruise of Antigua. You are picked up from the beach. Things are oh so conservative when you first board, as the wonderful crew member "One love" collects your $65. When all guests are there, you are offered a drink - "Rum Punch Please!" (No, I don't care thats it's only 10am).
We cruised along to Green Island, where the non-snorkellers sunbathed on the lovely beach, and the snorkellers...er... snorkelled. Nothing overly special to see - held a baby sea urchin, saw some colourful fish. It was slightly overcast - so visibility wasn't the best.
After some snorkelling, we had lunch. A delicious buffet, macaroni cheese, coleslaw, rice & delicious chicken, washed down with a rum punch.
We then sailed along the South Coast - taking the beautiful beaches, and enjoying the sea breeze. The crew were top all the way, & looked after everybody really well. We arrrived at Nelsons Dockyard (named because Admiral Lord Nelson was the victor in the battle of Trafalgar) & disembarked for a tour of the various restored buildings, which reflect the naval heritage of the area.
After this, appx. 8 people at a time are grouped together in taxis (based on which hotel you are staying at) & drive up the 500 ft to Shirley Heights. The tour is on a Sunday - the day that Shirley Heights comes alive. Everyone one in the cab agrees a time to head back to the hotel. At this point, it was about 4pm & it had been a pretty long day. Everyone in our group felt the same & we agreed to leave at 6.30pm. If you are a party animal, Shirely Heights keeps going way into the night, but we were all happy sipping on a couple (more) rum punches & watching the sun set over English Harbour, while listening to the band. Bliss. There is freshly bbq'd food available too which looked and smelt very good.
A very fulfilling day, & we felt we'd seen a extra little bit of Antigua by taking this tour. Leave a Comment Directions: Book either in resort ofr via Wadadli Cats, website shown below.Website: www.wadadlicats.com
|
 | |  |
 Barbuda by LisaMJ
You are picked up from the beach at your hotel, and whisked across the Atlantic to Barbuda. It could be bumpy at times, but the fact that we saw some dolphins on the way over made up for it - plus it was a pretty fun ride anyway!
The beaches as you approach barbuda as astounding, picture postcard to say the least.
After visiting the bird sanctuary (frigate brids) you return for some snorkelling/sunbathing, lunch is then served (chicken, fish, steak, and an array of rice, macaroni cheese, pasta, salad, etc).
You then travel to the pink sand beach (which really is pink sand from all the shells over the years!)
The trip is well worth it, and on the way back the rum punch flows freely. You are dropped at your hotel about 7 or 8 hours later. Leave a Comment Address: Bookable in your hotel or before you go .
|
| | |
A short drive from St. John’s and a short walk from Dickenson Bay, Runaway Bay Beach seems miles away from either. It features the same white sand and turquoise water as Dickenson Bay Beach but has virtually none of the tourist traffic. Those looking to escape the tourist traffic, jet skis, and pushy vendors of Dickenson Bay, will be rewarded by taking the five to ten minute walk to Runaway Bay.
|
We were in Antigua on a cruise ship. I picked this ship's tour because my husband was in the Navy and I thought he would be interested in the dockyard. We also planned to look in the marina for sailboats like ours just as we have done on other Caribbean islands.
Originally called "His Majesty's Antigua Naval Yard", Nelson's Dockyard is a National Park around a harbor called "English Harbor" - a really good protected harbor for boats. It was a boat repair facility for the Royal Navy.
Actually, it was not named "Nelson's Dockyard" until after the British Navy abandoned it and turned it over to the Antigua government. Nelson WAS based here at English Harbour from 1784 to 1787. He was temporary Commander-in-Chief of the Leeward Islands for a short time.
Although we had rain showers earlier, by the time we got to the Dockyard, it was sunny. A local guide took us through the Dockyard. She was very good and informative. We toured the Mast House and other shipyard areas such as the Wet Dock and ended up at the Copper Kettle for a drink before we went back to our ship.
The old Boat House and Sail Loft was partly destroyed by a hurricane in 1871. All that remains of the original building are the massive boat house pillars. Reconstruction of Nelson's Boatyard continues up to this day of places such as the Seaman's Gallery built in 1778 (now a boutique and restaurant), the Pay Office (shops) and the 1788 Pitch and Tar Store (the Admirals Inn). Leave a Comment Address: National Parks Authority, Box 1283, St. John'sPhone: 1 268 460-1379Directions: On the southern tip of Antigua and around 45 minute drive from the capital of St John's (the main cruise port)Website: http://www.antiguamuseums.org/nelsonsdockyard.htm
|
| | |
 Rocky, Rugged Hawksbill
Beach by fitbod
The place is Hawksbill Beach, Antigua. Now to begin with, this looks like any beach, but as you walk farther and farther and around a little fence...you arrive at THE Hawksbill Beach, a clothing optional beach...OH MY!!!! So....what did I do??? I leave you to ponder and take a WILD guess... ;-) ;-)
In this photo you see large rocks jutting into the ocean, but you needn't worry.....there is soft white sand too :)...thank goodness! Leave a Comment Address: Antigua
|
More Antigua and Barbuda Tips |
|
