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ST JOHN’S, ANTIGUA – Since the demise of the sugar industry, the 270 square km heart – shaped island of Antigua has come to depend on tourism. Always keen to offer travellers a variety of activities, this secluded island offers much more than beach trips, boat rides or shopping.
With the ever-increasing sizes of cruise liners, the island has responded by creating a third quay, Nevis Street Pier, in St. John’s harbor, dredging and widening the harbor entrance to allow the mega ships room to turn around.
Where is Antigua?
Antigua is the largest of the British Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies with a population of over 90,000. Like all the neighboring islands in the western Caribbean, Antigua offers pristine beaches, green landscapes, vibrant cultural scene, delicious food, and historical attractions. The main reason visitors from all over the world come to Antigua, however, is the beauty and diversity of the secluded island’s 365 beaches.
The island’s pretty capital St. John, is set around a large natural harbor, at Radcliffe and Heritage quays and Nevis Street Pier.
The English settled the island in 1632, but they fought the fierce Carib Indians, the Dutch, and the French before establishing permanent control in 1667. During the colonial period, Antigua was deforested, leaving most of the island full of bushes and swamps.
How to get to Antigua?
The easiest and most popular way to get to Antigua from the USA is by plane. There are several major airlines that operate flights to Antigua from various cities in the USA. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines all offer direct flights to Antigua from several cities in the USA. The flight time is usually between four and five hours, depending on the departure city, making Antigua a great destination for quick Caribbean getaways. British Airways is one of the most popular airlines for direct flights to Antigua from Europe. The airline operates direct flights from London Gatwick and London Heathrow to Antigua.
Radcliff Quay
Once you arive in Antigua, St. John’s offers the perfect chance to explore the urban Caribbean. Starting from the center and the Radcliff’s picturesque quay walk down the range of shops and restaurants in a pleasantly shaded setting of restored wooden buildings, with lattice-work balconies. By the other two quays is a breezy, pastel-coloured mall, with an air-conditioned casino and duty-free shops. Between them, local traders selling bright sarongs, sunhats and T-shirts are gathered under the roof of the Vendors Mall.
Long and High Streets
Alongside the shops and restaurants, the port side area provides banking and telecommunication facilities, which are located on High and Long streets. Island cash tills readily swallow US dollars, although paying with local East Caribbean dollar normally means slightly lower prices, once the exchange rates have been calculated.
A half-hour stroll allows a glimpse of life around the quay and before long, a serene side street will greet the wanderer. Only a rear-view glance at your hotel, towering over the muted hues of the single story wooden houses that flank the capital’s grind of narrow lanes, will shatter the illusion of having left the pol side world away. An early morning start, grab a coffee and cake from one of the excellent local bakeries or cafés in lower St. Mary’s Street or Radcliffe Quay, will catch the cool of the day and give an insight into the intriguing events of this small Caribbean island.
Antigua Attractions
Nowhere is far away in Antigua but the full range of stunning beaches and historic sites lies out of walking distance.
Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
A few minutes from the quayside, the former courthouse on Long street, solidly built in 1747 from local stone, is now the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. The renovated building is packed with local heritage. Exhibits in the airy main hall highlight island life and history, while next door houses a database of monument inscriptions from around Antigua and the associated isle of Barbuda.
Cathedral of St John the Divine
The Anglican Cathedral of St John the Divine, a few minutes further up Long Street, originally dates from 1683 but, like so many buildings, it was damaged and restored after a severe earthquake in 1834. The landmark towers of this striking baroque edifice have long proclaimed St John’s presence to new arrivals.
Across the road, the Antigua recreation Ground is the hallowed home of Antiguans cricket, and the spot where local sporting hero Sir Vivian Richard the ‘Master Blaster’ knocked off the fastest century in cricket. His bat is on display at the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. Return down Radcliffe and St. Marry’s street ‘the Ebenezer Methodist Church was completed in 1839, but twice restored after earthquakes rattled is foundations.
On Market street, opposite the West Bus station, you can buy tropical fruits in the covered Heritage Market and craft work in the building next door.
Cycling will get you a bit further under your own stream and the best biking destination is Fort Bay, a leisurely 20-minute ride northeast of the town center. Continue along Popes head street and turn left at the sign for Miller’s by the Sea to reach this popular locals beach. At the southern end of the promontory, Fort James dates from 1739 and guards perfect views out to sea. At weekends, impromptu, merengue and salsa fiestas boom on the beachfront while bars offer sustenance.
Nelson’s Dockyard
There, southeast of the English Harbour, lies one of Antigua’s greatest historical attractions: Nelson’s Dockyard. It’s about 30 minutes away from St. John’s by local bus from the west bus station or by taxi. A series of beautiful restored mid 18th century buildings bring this harbor to life. It was once the main command post of the British Navy and the base for Admiral Horatio Nelson, commander of HMS Boreas.
The stunning bay is overlooked by the impressive fortifications of Fort Shirley. It comes alive with the music of reggae and steel pan bands and barbecues on Sunday afternoon and through the evening.
Best Antigua Beaches
Taxi drivers offer a tour of the whole island, but if time is limited, its worth slowing down to savor one or two sites. Betty’s Hope, on the loop back from English Harbor, was built in the 1650s as the first sugar plantation on the island. An interesting little museum tells the story. Remnants of sugar mills are scattered all over the island, but here you can visit a mill that is still in operation and sometimes grind sugar cane in full sail.
The coral reefs that once protected Antigua from foreign invaders now attract divers and snorkelers from all around the world. The reef-protected waters of Long Bay feature many exclusive resorts.
To the east, the natural limestone arch of Devils Bridge and art gallery of Harmony Hall, a former plantation house, over interesting stops en route to the sands of Half Moon Bay. Every Antiguan promotes a favorite beach, and with a beach of every day of the year around the island, competition is tough. Dark Wood Beach, Hawskbil Bay, Dickenson Bay and Fryes Bay on the west coast are all strong contenders. If you have the time and feel energetic enough, Boggy Peak, Antigua’s highest point is a rewarding 2 — hour hike in the southwest of the island.
Our Favorite Antigua Tour
MAE_K, Jan 2025
Scenic Full Day Tour of Antigua
” At the meeting point we met our driver/guide Benjamin and an other couple. We walked to the car. this was a nice car with enough space for us On all the stops we had enough time to walk around. Also Benjamin explains a lot. On the dokyard we had a little tour and after that tour, we had enough time to explore by ourself.”
Read more about – Scenic Full Day Tour of Antigua”
Booking hotel in Antigua
Antigua is a popular honeymoon destination because it offers a perfect, secluded setting with breath-taking natural beauty. There are plenty of luxury all-inclusive resorts that offer a family-friendly beach vacation or an adults-only romantic getaway. Particularly popular booking hotels are the overwater bungalows all inclusive resorts. A notable number of all-inclusive resorts in Antigua offer accommodation, meals, and often alcoholic beverages, in addition to some water activities.
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by Trivago
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