Antigua - General tourist information:
Antigua is situated in the Caribbean Sea and is one of the Leeward Islands. It enjoys a tropical climate, and has temperatures that vary between 70 and 85 degrees fahrenheit (23C to 28 C) all year round. “Sea Shanty”’s precise location was chosen to benefit from the cooling Trade Wind breezes, and the two main bedrooms are on the windward side of the house.
Antigua is friendly, small and intimate. It covers 108 sq miles and has only 69,000 inhabitants. Thus nowhere is very far away. A tip: Antiguans are polite, and commence all conversations by passing the time of day first. Do the same and you will go far!
Antigua has been independent since 1981, and is a Constitutional Monarchy with HM Queen Elizabeth ll as Head of State and an elected government and Prime Minister. The local currency is the East Caribbean Dollar, pegged to the US Dollar. English is the spoken language and driving is on the left, as in the UK.
The island capital is St John’s, a port town with an extraordinary blend of faded and historic ethnic buildings with some recent modern additions, often of dubious architectural merit, and a challenging one way traffic system.
BEACHES:
There are 365 beaches to locate and explore, with some only accessible by boat. Most are covered in silver sands and palm fringed. Antigua has no privately owned beaches. They are all public, including those in front of hotels. With so much choice you can please yourself.
Nearest Beaches:
Walking distance: There is a tiny intimate beach alongside the Catamaran Marina, by the Catamaran Hotel.
Short drive away: Pigeon Beach: 10 minutes by car via English Harbour. There is plenty of shade under the trees, wonderful white sand and an excellent beach bar.
Galley Bay: 10 minutes drive from the house in the direction of Shirley Heights. This is the perfect place to watch the luxury yachts glide in and out of English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard.
Silver sands and some shady palms. The stylish Inn at English Harbour Hotel beach bar offers gourmet food both during the day and in the evening as well as one of the best Rum Punches on the island.
Rendezvous Bay: Antigua’s best kept secret. Not for the faint hearted, but if you are adventurous this is well worth the effort! This is a good hour’s walk from the house, or with a 4WD go as far as you dare, and then park and walk the final half hour. Hiking sandals are essential. This is an uninhabited Robinson Crusoe paradise beach, as nature intended.
You may be lucky and have the half mile of powder white sand entirely to yourself. Alternatively charter a boat to take you, or organise a horseback trek from Spring Hill Stables and experience riding in the sea!
Further afield:
Half Moon Bay: This beach is used in fashion photo shoots and is renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Even in the high season it is never really crowded, and often almost deserted. It offers a half moon crescent of golden sand, with the chance to body surf on windier days and there is reasonable snorkelling when the sea is calm. The beach bar is only open sporadically. This is a 35 minute drive from the house via Willoughby Bay.
THINGS TO DO:
If you like walking: Explore Monks Hill Fort above the house – wonderful views over the whole of the southern coast of the island, and a very atmospheric place to visit. Walk from Pigeon Beach, via Fort Berkley to Nelson’s Dockyard – interesting flora and fauna and superb views out to sea.
There are plenty of other trails all over the island, with maps available from the bookshop at the Falmouth Harbour Marina.
If you like adventure: Try the high wire course in Fig Tree Drive (15 minute drive from the house). Zip lines, swings, climbing, suspension bridge, all over a beautiful, unspoilt rain forest valley………
What about a helicopter ride to Montserrat? You can fly over the volcano itself, or stay for a couple of days and drink in the atmosphere of this neighbouring island – the sight of the volcano erupting at night is truly awe-inspiring.
If you love the sea: Why not charter a yacht? –yachts are available for hire in English Harbour/Falmouth Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard and Jolly Harbour. Many other Caribbean islands are within easy reach.
Sail round the island – Wadadli Catamarans leave from St John’s daily, show you many of Antigua’s beaches from the sea, provide an interesting insight into the island, serve good food in the form of a beach barbecue, offer snorkelling off Green Island and a very entertaining commentary…..
Sail to Barbuda – Antigua’s sister island. This is the true “get away from it all” paradise island, with miles of pink/white coral beaches, turquoise translucent sea, the largest Frigate Bird sanctuary in the Atlantic Ocean, and more……. Day trips available from Heritage Quay in St John’s.
If you prefer fishing, there are plenty of fishing vessels available to charter near the house. We have seen them come home laden with tuna, marlin and other game fish.
Perhaps cricket’s your game…. Need we say more? The impressive Viv Richards Stadium is a 15 minute drive from the house. If you prefer to watch a simple “friendly” local game there is a rustic local pitch a short walk from the house. The locals play in full cricket whites – a far cry from many serious games today!
Water skiing is available in Falmouth Harbour, very near the house.
Scuba diving – enquire in Nelson’s Dockyard. All levels of experience catered for.
Golf – Cedar Valley Golf Club offers an attractive course on the northern side of the island. It is a 45 minute drive from the house.
PLACES TO VISIT:
Nelson’s Dockyard, the only Georgian working dockyard in the Caribbean is a 10 minute drive from the house. There is an interesting museum and guided tours available. Alternatively, wander round on your own, enjoy the local crafts and marvel at the luxury yachts.
Shirley Heights – this is the renowned venue for reggae bands on Sunday and Thursday nights when there is a barbecue, wonderful “sundowners” - watch the sun set while sipping a rum punch.
It can be rather busy on Sunday, but stay after the tourists leave on their tour coaches and enjoy the music with the locals, or go on Wednesday nights when things tend to be much quieter.
Harmony Hall - enjoy a world class lunch, with fabulous views over the bay, look round the art gallery to see works by well known local artists.
Take either the boat to Green Island to go snorkelling, provided by the restaurant, or make your way to Half Moon Bay and spend the afternoon on fine white sand perfecting your tan. Restaurant and Art Gallery open from November to May.
St John’s – visit the cathedral, rebuilt in the 19th century to replace the previous cathedral ruined in a hurricane.
Explore the area around the port, where there are Duty Free shopping opportunities. When you’ve had enough of this, relax with a cocktail in Hemmingway’s.
Betty’s Hope – museum in an old sugar mill
Devils Bridge – when the waves crash into this rock formation, you can’t help but reflect on the tribulations of the slaves who worked the sugar plantations and took their lives by jumping off the “bridge” rather than continue in slavery.
RESTAURANTS:
Catherine’s Café on the Antigua Slipway - lunch
Trappas – situated between Falmouth Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard. Excellent value, always buzzing – evenings only
Abracadabra – near entrance to Nelson’s Dockyard. Superb Italian cuisine, and then dancing late into the night
The Gallery – near Abracadabra – excellent salads, al fresco dining
Hideaway Restaurant at Cobbs Cross, on road to St James’ Club. Excellent international cuisine and warm welcome
Kesari – Thai tapas restaurant only a 5 minute walk from the house. Delicious wide range of Thai and Japanese dishes and superb cocktails are on the menu.
There are many more restaurants in the area offering a wide range of cuisine.
SNACK/BAR
Skullduggery’s – Falmouth Marino. Try their famous Martini Espresso and join the sailing crowd
Temo Sport – regular special night every Friday plus opportunity to play tennis and meet a cross-section of locals
Galley Bar – Nelson’s Dockyard. Very popular with the “yachties”.
There are many bars, local snack bars selling rasta food, and stallholders barbecuing foods at the roadside every weekend – all will welcome you warmly.
Sweet-t’s – renowned ice creams and other good quality snack food – a 5 minute walk from the house.
FOOD SHOPPING:
Walking distance: Bailey’s Supermarket is the local supermarket for day to day general needs, including fresh bread, butter, fruit, vegetables, some frozen basics, good value wines, sodas, beer, refills for the water cooler. Open from 8am until 7.30pm approx. Closed Sunday. Good value although the choice of frozen meats can be unusual and limited.
2 minutes drive: Crab Hole Liquor Store. Stocks a range of food, but with an emphasis on wines, beer and soda.
5 minute drive: The Falmouth dockyard store located on the dock near the entrance to the Antigua Sailing Club. Good general range with frozen meats and seafood. Not open all year.
35 minutes drive: The Epicurean supermarkets in both Jolly Harbour and St John’s (Woods Centre Mall). By far the best supermarkets on the island for choice. Air-conditioned. Excellent range of frozen meats, seafood, fish, and chilled European cheeses.
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