Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal
St. John's, Antigua
From this bustling little port, take an excursion across the rolling countryside to Shirley Heights, a fortress dominating the entry to English Harbor, and historic Nelson's dockyard. Today the warehouses are filled with shops and restaurants, and the sails belong to international yachts.
Highlights
NELSON'S DOCKYARD NATIONAL PARK
Developed as a base for the British Navy in the great age of sail, the harbour served as the headquarters for the fleet of the Leeward Islands during the turbulent years of the late 18th century. Although the dockyard was greatly expanded at that time by Horatio Nelson, it was gradually abandoned in the 19th century and was closed in 1889. Today, Nelson’s Dockyard has been completely restored and is now the only Georgian dockyard in the world.
SHIRLEY HEIGHTS
This rambling array of gun emplacements and military buildings is best known today for the breathtaking views that it offers. From the heights one can look far out over English Harbour and see neighbouring islands.
DOW'S HILL INTERPRETATION CENTER
You can watch an impressive multimedia presentation of Antigua’s history, from its initial settlement to independence. Observation decks at Dow’s Hill provide another fine view of English Harbour.
FIG TREE DRIVE
This scenic drive passes through a tropical forest that is dominated by mango, pineapples and banana plants.
BEACHES
Antigua has beautiful white-sand beaches and the locals say there are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each day of the year. The great majority are on the calm, protected waters of the island’s Caribbean side and all are open to the public.
Shore Excursions