Bizi-Body Travel Guides Antigua Things to do

Views in Antigua

Things to Do

Shirley Heights

This rambling array of gun emplacements and military buildings is best known today for its breathtaking views. From the Heights you can look far out over the English Harbour and on Sundays is accompanied by a barbecue, rum punch and the strains of a steel bank and reggae music. The site is named after General Shirley, Governor of the Leeward Islands when the area was fortified in the late eighteenth century. Close by is the cemetery in which stands an obelisk erected in honour of the soldiers of the 54 th regiment.

Betty's Hope

17 th century sugar estate with two mills. This is a partly restored house. The premier sugar estate in Antigua . It was the seat of Government during the period of 1689 – 1794. It is the only estate on Antigua with twin mills, standing today. The North Mill has been restored to working condition and is dated 1737. The South Mill was sealed and used to store water when the estate was converted from wind to steam power.

Harmony Hall Art Gallery

Harmony Hall, in Brown's Bay at Nonsuch Bay is the center of the Antiguan arts community. Exhibits change throughout the year. In November the Antigua Artist's Exhibition and the Craft Fair are both held. The sugar mill tower around which Harmony Hall is built has been converted to a bar and provides its patrons with one of the islands best panoramic views, including Nonsuch Bay .

Devil's Bridge

Natural limestone bridge created by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean . A spectacular to behold. Dozens of blow holes spouting surf.

Fig Tree Hill Drive

Starts just outside a town called Liberta, north of Falmout, takes you down to Old Road and Curtain Bluff, the road is lined with all kinds of tropical fruit trees including mangoes, guaves, oranges, coconuts, avocados and bananas. To the west is Bobby Peek and you pass sugar mills and pretty churches en route. (Fig in Antiguan means bananas)

Frigate Bird Sanctuary

A nesting colony of over 4000 frigate birds in the Codrington Lagoon. Visitors can watch as male and female birds perform their fascinating courtship displays, build nests and raise their young. Along with the frigate birds , one can see brown boobies, brown pelicans, herons and shore birds, laughing gulls, royal terns, American oystercatchers and a variety of other species.

Museum of Antigua and Barbuda

This charming museum tells the story of Antigua and Barbuda from its geological birth to the present day. A cool oasis in the middle of St John's, the museum contains a variety of fascinating objects and exhibits, ranging from a life-size replica of an Arawak dwelling to the bat of Viv Richards one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

Nelson's Dockyard

The last remaining Georgian Dockyard. The historic buildings that once housed sailors and the various services to repair-naval ships are today adapted to the need of modern day sailors and visitors. Admirals House Museum , shops and restaurants.

St John's Anglican Cathedral

This church was completed in 1847. The exterior is built of stone and covered with a grey cement wash. Its interior is encased in pitch pine – a method intended to secure the building from rain either by hurricane or earthquake.

Sea View Farm Village

The center is the cottage industry for pottery. The clay is collected from pits located nearby, and the wares fired in an open fire under layers of green grass in the yards of the potters houses. Folk pottery can be purchased at outlets in the village as well as at a number of stores around the island. Buyers should beware that Antiguan folk pottery breaks rather easily in cold environments.

Fort James

A small fort at the north side of St John's Harbour , built in 1675, though the present structure dates from 1739. It stills has some of its original 36 canons, a powder magazine and most of its walls intact.

Beaches

West coast the beaches are more sheltered and calmer seas.

Half Moon Bay is the most beautiful. Circular bay of coral white sand, good for snorkelling or windsurfing.

Long Bay, eastern tip, favourite for its watersports for snorkelling and windsurfing and has coral reefs you can walk out to.

Dutchman's Bay, near the airport is said to be best for windsurfing.

Runaway Bay to the south, close to hotels gets most crowded

Southwest corner of the island is the quietest with Ffryes Bay , tree lined with pelicans.

Dark Wood Beach unspoilt with views of Montserrat and Johnson's Point.

Best beach for a half day visit is Dickenson Bay and Ft James within 5 – 10 minutes from the cruise ships.

Hawksbill Resort on the Five Islands Peninsula south of St John's is the only ‘clothing optional' beach.

Everywhere else nude or topless sunbathing is illegal.

What to Buy

Duty free shopping at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay.

Local handicrafts such as woodcarvings, pottery and painted calabashes. Batik clothing and silk-screen printed fabrics are popular, as are straw items, such as baskets and hats. On the food front in St John's market, home-made preserves and jams made from local fruits, and of course the local rum.

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