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If you’re arriving by cruise ship to Antigua cruise port then there are lots of fantastic options of things to do. Or, you could head off and explore some of the best things to do on the such as taking a tour, relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches or taking in some history at Nelson’s Dockyard. If you’re on a Caribbean cruise then it’s likely that you’re ship will head to St John’s as part of your itinerary. You could decide to spend your day discovering St John’s city centre as it’s walking distance from the ship. It’s a bustling town that in winter months welcomes over 350 cruise ships bringing more than 610,000 cruise ship passengers to Antigua.
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THE 25 BEST Cruises from Miami to Antigua (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Miami to Antigua (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 21:40:47 GMT [source]
This may be one of the more tourist-driven attractions in Antigua, but it’s ideal if you love a dash of adrenaline and want to explore the island’s lush rainforest, too. When we visit a new country we always like to explore the local markets to try the local fruits and vegetables. St John’s is no exception to this and has the wonderful Public Market Complex. This uncrowded beach is located on the south shore of Antigua and offers you a picture-perfect setting, soft white sands, and great snorkel opportunities.
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As the sugar cane industry declined, so did the island’s fortunes, reviving only in the second half of the 20th century as tourism began to boom. Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from Britain in 1981 but remain members of the Commonwealth. Visit today and you’ll find a vibrant culture with African, British, and other influences, and a busy calendar of events, including Antigua Sailing Week. One of the best beaches in Antigua is the long sweep of Dickenson Bay, an expanse of pure white sand and turquoise water backed by lush greenery, just three miles from the cruise terminals. The bay is lined with lively beach bars, food trucks, watersports concessions, and some great restaurants. Wade in the calm, shallow waters, which are also ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.
Antigua (St John's) Cruise Port Guide Review (
If you’re keen on a spot of luxury shopping, then add a visit to Heritage Quay to your bucket list. This is one of the best areas to find the best prices on luxury items, too. If you can only visit during the day due to your cruise schedule, be sure to indulge in the locally caught lobster which is caught, split and grilled right on the beach. With its palm-tree-lined coastline, powdery, white sand beach, and a chance of spotting dolphins, this is the Caribbean in a nutshell — without the madding crowds. If you’re looking to escape to an idyllic beach straight out of a Caribbean postcard, then Valley Church Beach is your go-to.
The best beaches in Antigua for cruise passengers
It is a beautiful reef where you can spot pufferfish, parrotfish, sea turtles, and other aquatic wildlife. Snorkel equipment is usually included in all-inclusive tours, however, make sure you bring your own in case it isn’t. This imposing cathedral is the main Roman Catholic cathedral built at the end of the 20th century. It features a modernist style and octagonal shape with a bell tower in the center.
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Keep your eyes peeled for graceful stingrays gliding along the ocean floor, majestic sea turtles lazily cruising by, and even the occasional encounter with a friendly reef shark. And top-notch equipment at your disposal, diving in Antigua is an experience you won’t soon forget. There are also lots of amazing boat tours that you can take to explore places such as Cades Reef which is one of the main coral reefs in Antigua. We think that the best view in Antigua is from Shirley Heights lookout point overlooking English Harbour. If you’re feeling adventurous then you can hike up from Galleon Beach via the Mermaid Pools.
St Johns Antigua cruise terminal
Amongst Antigua's top attractions, the Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Betty's Hope Plantation, and Devil's Bridge are must-see sites to visit. St. John's is within walking distance of the cruise port and has a few interesting historical landmarks to explore on your own. And the beaches of Antigua are unanimously rated among some of the best in the Caribbean. We’ve spent the last 3 years living in Antigua as a family and spending time in St John’s where the Antigua cruise port is located. Sara used to work on cruise ships and knows how important a port day is. Sometimes you want to max out your time getting to know the country.
Obviously, all cruise lines offer many and diverse shore excursions in Antigua. Celebrity Cruises offers as many 37 shore excursions and Royal Caribbean has 38 cruise excursions. Oceania Cruises organizes 18 shore excursions, Holland America offers 19 cruise excursions, and Princess has 21 excursions available. Heritage Quay attracts many cruise passengers, with over 30 prestigious duty-free shops, a food court, and a casino. If you prefer to stay closer to downtown, you can explore the colorful local markets, do some shopping, or sample the local cuisine at one of the many restaurants.
Bask in the grand sight of the city's skyline, dominated by the white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral. Sample local cuisines, visit the Botanical Garden, witness the magnificent Antigua Lighthouse, the historical Fort James and much more as you discover this grand city. But you will need to walk to the end of Market Street (to the south) if you would like to explore a typical West Indian Public Market with its colorful stalls and lively bargaining. Outside the Heritage and Redcliff Quays, you will find yourself in downtown St. John's.
Tourists (passengers and crew) disembarking cruise vessels docked in St John's Harbour are handled at the terminals Redcliffe Quay and Heritage Quay. Peak season in Antigua falls between the periods of mid-December to mid-April. But if you prefer to visit during the quieter, shoulder season, you may want to consider scheduling a cruise for May or June.
Of course, you could just take your pick of those incredible beaches and spend your day relaxing on a beach chair with an ice-cold rum punch, too. Currently, Port Saint Johns Antigua has a max capacity of 4 large-sized ships at a time. Most cruise liners are berthed at Heritage Quay Pier - the newest and largest of the two quays. When the port has scheduled more than 4 vessels at a time, some of the ships are berthed at Deep Water Harbour Terminal.
St. John’s is easy to explore on foot, and you will most likely be docked right by the downtown area. Taxis are also available in town and will wait to pick up passengers at a taxi rank outside the cruise port. Drivers often offer to act as a tour guide for the day, but be sure to settle on a fare before you set off if you choose this option. Car rental is widely available, though you’ll need to buy a local permit. Cruise ships dock on a beautiful bay known as St. John's harbor, although many times referred to as Heritage Quay, which is, in fact, the name of the cruise terminal of the Antigua cruise port. Until recently, the port only had two piers perpendicular to the city of St John's (the Capital of Antigua).
The first thing that greets you once you disembark from your ship is the beautiful metallic island tunes, played tirelessly by an island band at the piers exit. Located in a national park, this swath of beach is untouched and protected and sits perfectly off-the-beaten-track. Snorkelers can also enjoy their time here with calm waters to explore near the edge of the bay. If you’re looking for a break from the beaches and love being at one with nature then Devil’s Bridge is great. You can sit, relax and watch the Atlantic Ocean crashing in its natural limestone Arch.
While in Antigua, don’t forget to treat your taste buds with the island’s specialties and local dishes. Besides Shirley Heights, Obama Mount (aka Boggy Peak) and Ridge Trail are other popular hiking spot – With an elevation of 402 m (1,319 ft), this is the highest peak of Antigua. The hike is more of an easy/moderate walk up the hill through the lush forest and National Park that lasts 1-3 hours.
Cruise ships dock in either Heritage Quay or Redcliffe Quay, both of which are right next to downtown St. John’s and some of the finest shopping in the Caribbean. You could also dock at Deepwater Harbour, which is 20 minutes’ drive away from downtown and doesn’t have any facilities. Join a hike through the lush rainforest of Wallings Nature Reserve in the south of the island.
In fact, unless you ask locals for directions the residents of St John's will not approach the cruise passenger. These are just a few of the many things to do in Antigua that will capture your heart and spirit and make you fall in love with the Caribbean. A crucial part of your cruise experience is preparing and booking your trip well in advance. This is another fantastic tour if you’re interested in learning more about Antigua’s naval history. Fort Berkeley was integral to the defense of Antigua during the reign of the British Empire.
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