Antigua Cruise Port Ultimate Guide to the Port and 22 Best Things to Do By A Local

cruise to antigua

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. At other times, you just want to find the nearest best beach to relax on. Located in the Caribbean, Antigua is a beautiful island filled with stunning beaches and plenty of opportunity for outdoor water sports.

Night Southern Caribbean - San JuanDetails

This historic dockyard originally served as a repair site for the British Royal Navy before becoming a popular tourist attraction. There is also the opportunity to visit the nearby Shirley Heights lookout, where you can take in some of the best sites on the island. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. The island was an important colonial base of the Royal Navy, with English Harbour serving as its headquarters. The season opens in December with the Antigua Yacht Show and ends in May with Antigua Sailing Week, one of the largest annual regattas in the Caribbean. Just ask Richard Branson, Eric Clapton, Giorgio Armani and Oprah—they all have homes here.

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Depending on the booking situation, various excursions are also offered in German, Spanish, French, Italian or Russian (minimum number of 30 participants). Please see the detailed information for your shore excursion on board. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.

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Antigua is one of the only places in the world where you can take a tour out to a sandbar in the sea to swim and interact with stingrays. You don’t need to be able to swim and kids of all ages are welcome (under 5’s are free). The Rec, as it is affectionately known, is now run-down and more of a relic than a sports field.

You can also book a combination tour that includes a half-day kayaking in the mangroves. We must have been at least 20 times to visit Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary. This is a great activity to do with kids as they get to brush the donkeys. As an added bonus you’re also supporting a local charity at the same time. The best days to visit when it’s super busy with lots of local vibrancy are either a Friday or Saturday when it’s super busy with lots of local vibrancy. You can have a wander and see most of the main attractions in less than a couple of hours.

Where you Dock

It comes alive when there are cruise ships docked, and you can watch steel bands and enjoy other local entertainment as you browse. Using our local knowledge and experience we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Antigua (St John’s) cruise port. And all the things you’ll want to know to explore the Caribbean island of Antigua on a cruise.

And top-notch equipment at your disposal, diving in Antigua is an experience you won’t soon forget. Historic Nelson’s Dockyard is a  UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park and is totally worth visiting. It also happens to be one of the main historical destinations in Antigua, and yes, Nelson did live there at one point. We live in English Harbor and absolutely love heading to Nelson’s (as its called by locals), to have a drink and people watch as the yachts come and go. Peak season in Antigua falls between the periods of mid-December to mid-April.

Montserrat Volcano Tour

Antigua Cruise Port hosts two simultaneous homeporting calls - Cruise and Ferry

Antigua Cruise Port hosts two simultaneous homeporting calls.

Posted: Tue, 21 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The island can hold its own in the duty-free shopping category, but the real highlights lie well beyond the capital and port town of St. John's. Antigua’s national sport is cricket, if you love it as much as the locals do then you should head to the stadium to watch a match. We’ve been a few times and even though we aren’t all huge cricket fans, we’ve still really enjoyed it. However, if you’re feeling adventurous then it is possible to walk to them from Galleon Beach. If you’re looking for a break from the beaches and love being at one with nature then Devil’s Bridge is great.

Hop Over to the Island of Barbuda

Located right near the cruise port, the Public Market Complex is a huge bazaar where you can purchase local goods and souvenirs. Among the vendors are a fresh fish market, local produce stands (selling items such as black pineapple), handicrafts, and handmade jewelry that is made right on the spot. It is a great place to purchase some truly remarkable local goods. All of these brands feature a version of all-inclusive pricing, and some of them have ships with all-suite accommodations. Many of these brands have smaller ships, allowing them to reach ports of call that the larger ships can't, which results in unique itineraries.

While some of Antigua’s beaches may be a little overcrowded and busy, there are a few that aren’t, specifically, Half Moon Bay. The reward at the summit of Mount Obama is unhindered, panoramic views across Antigua. Bear in mind that the hike takes an average of three hours to the summit, and you’ll be hiking through lush jungle trails. Flights can be booked on our web site while you're booking a cruise or vacation package.

We love learning about the history of Antigua, and the best place to head to is the Antigua and Barbuda Museum. You can find it in an old courthouse which was built in the 1750s. For yet another spot to take in the beauty of Antigua, Shirley Heights is a must-visit location. This is the highest and most scenic point on the entire island — originally known as Boggy Peak.

cruise to antigua

Sports enthusiasts might prefer Jabberwock Beach, where the conditions for activities like wind surfing and surfing are always good. 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.

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