Antigua

At an elevated position 446 feet above the sea on a sheer cliff, you’ll find the Block House Ruins. From here, you’ll have amazing views over Indian Creek and the Atlantic Ocean. Block House was the principal lookout and officers’ barracks for the First West India Regiment back in 1787.

Shirley Heights, named after Sir Thomas Shirley, was the principal fortification of the British fleet stationed at English Harbour. The view from Shirley Heights is stunning, taking in virtually the entire east coast of Antigua.

Nelson’s Dockyard is one of the largest attractions in the eastern Caribbean, and the last remaining Georgian naval dockyard still in use today. Explore the Admiral’s Inn, museum, mystery pillars, art gallery and bakery. Admire the sleek yachts tied to the old stone quayside and soak up the unique atmosphere.

A farewell fruit or rum punch will be provided at the 18th century Inn at Nelson’s Dockyard.

Setting off from the port, you’ll take a scenic drive through Antigua’s countryside and on to the cliff-top location of the island’s 2 ancient sights, Block House Ruins and Shirley Heights. These panoramic viewpoints offer spectacular views over Nelson’s Dockyard village, Galleon Beach and English Harbour.

Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a visit to Nelson’s Dockyard located within the beautiful Antiguan National Park. Spend a short while exploring the Georgian shipyard, which today has been refurbished as a colonial style village. Following your visit, you’ll be served a delicious fresh lobster lunch at the dockyard’s Copper and Lumber Inn.

It’s then time to head to one of Antigua’s beaches, enjoy a refreshing soft drink, laze on the warm sands, take a dip in the clear waters or simply enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, which typify the Caribbean.

This 4x4 adventure explores Antigua's more hidden treasures with some of the best views in the Caribbean.

During your journey, you’ll see panoramic views, the rainforest and some of the 365 beaches for which Antigua is famous. Discover indigenous plants and trees and there may be an opportunity to sample some of the local fresh fruits. You’ll also learn about the local, grass roots-style of living as you drive through some of the island’s charming little villages. There will be plenty of excellent photo opportunities, particularly of Falmouth Harbour, from Convents Hill.

To round off your experience, take a dip in the cool and refreshing waters on one of Antigua's wonderful beaches.

To quench your thirst, soft drinks will be available during the stops.

An experience not to be missed……………

Enjoy the 30 mile flight over the sparkling turquoise Caribbean waters to the neighbouring island of Montserrat. Here, at the centre of the ‘exclusion zone’ is the live and volatile Soufrière Hills Volcano, which can only be seen close up by helicopter. Rising to an impressive 3,000 feet and dominating the island, it towers above the Tar River Gorge and Delta at its foot and frequently emits a combination of ash, smoke and steam.

In 1997 when the volcano erupted, two-thirds of the island were made uninhabitable. View the massive destruction as you fly over a collection of evacuated villages, the previous location of the WH Bramble Airport and the charred remains of the former capital, Plymouth, in some places buried under 40 feet of ash.

After travelling along the east coast, you’ll leave Montserrat behind, and fly back to Antigua with beautiful views of the island and coastline.

Take a brief bus ride across Antigua’s rugged countryside to reach the land-base. You’ll have a chance to change before a thrilling 8-minute skiff ride out to the stingrays.

With your snorkel gear, you’ll enter the water from the floating platforms. The waters on the sand bar are between 4 and 6 feet, ideal for everyone to enjoy the stingrays. See the graceful creatures glide through the clear waters; you may even want to feed them under the instruction of your guide. The resident rays are quite used to people in their environment. Stingrays have incredible suction power, which you may feel if you choose to feed them. Although stingrays possess a barb on their tails, they only use this if threatened.

Back on dry land, enjoy a refreshing rum or fruit punch whilst browsing the digital photographs of your adventure.

On board a small power catamaran, you’ll enjoy an exhilarating ride off the south west coast passing many secluded beaches, resorts and private homes. Sisters and Paradise Reef have plentiful marine life and are one of Antigua’s best locations for fishing and snorkelling.

You’ll drop anchor and be equipped with your fishing gear. After instruction, you’ll be all set to ‘catch and release’ a variety of Caribbean sea fish.

For a closer view of the marine life, you can don a mask and fins and go snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters. Alternatively, simply relax on board and soak up the sunshine.

Whilst on board there will be an open bar with soft drinks, rum punch or beer for you to enjoy.

After a scenic drive along the north coast, you’ll arrive at the Clubhouse, situated only a few minutes away from North Sound National Park. Take a quick whizz across the water in a small skiff to the platforms where your kayak adventure begins.

Discover one of Antigua's secret beauty spots, beautiful mangroves and calm inlets. See local sea life and birds in their natural, unspoiled environment and enjoy the lush scenery.

You’ll make a stop at Great Bird Island, where a short trek leads you to the blow holes and some wonderful panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the Caribbean Sea on the other. There will be time for a swim or perhaps you might like to see some of the underwater life by snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters. During your visit, you’ll be offered a cooling soft drink refreshment.

Enjoy a drive through the rugged scenery of Antigua before your ocean racing experience begins.

Step aboard your specially-designed Beneteau 40.7 yacht for a head-to-head race filled with fun and excitement.

After a quick safety briefing, you’ll head out while your crew run through ‘tacking’ and ‘jibing’ and invite you to participate in sail trimming, winch grinding, time keeping or driving! If all this activity sounds a bit much, simply do nothing, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

After the thrill of the race, you’ll have a celebratory rum punch as you cruise through the waters of Antigua’s yachting mecca. Cast your eye on the multi-million dollar mega-yachts, and capture a glorious view of the picturesque Nelson’s Dockyard.

To round off your Antiguan adventure, you may choose to purchase some photos as a souvenir of your unique race.

This exciting off road experience will show you the rustic side of Antigua’s landscape combined with some of the local sites.

A photo opportunity awaits you with a breathtaking view of English Harbour from Horsford. Afterwards, you’ll continue to the Donkey Sanctuary for a short visit. The sanctuary shelters more than 150 donkeys, and lovingly cares for each and every one. You’ll then journey onwards to the Pot Works Dam, an expanse of freshwater reputed to be the largest in the Eastern Caribbean.

The old historical Betty’s Hope is your next stop, where a delicious Caribbean-style buffet lunch will be served.

You’ll then continue to the geological site of Devil’s Bridge, a natural arch carved by the sea before rounding off your trip with a visit to Long Bay Beach. Enjoy a quick dip or relax in the Caribbean sunshine.

Soft drinks will available throughout your tour to quench your thirst as you enjoy the ride.

Embark on a scenic drive through the island’s countryside and on to the zip-lining base. Here your adventure begins, as you prepare for a thrilling journey through the rainforest canopy.

After a welcome drink and safety briefing, get ready to leap from platforms and whizz through the rainforest canopy on exciting zip-lines, aerial walkways and suspension bridges. As you pass over the treetops, take in the fantastic views of the surrounding rainforest and the abundance of flora and fauna. Your experienced guides will provide you with interesting facts about the eco-system and what to look out for.

Afterwards take time to relax, before the return drive to the port.

This simple transfer offers you the chance to enjoy some Caribbean beach time.

Your destination is the Coconut Grove Beach, located just a short drive from the port. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to relax on a beach chair, swim in the clear inviting waters or stroll along the soft white sand. During your stay a refreshing drink will also be served.

At the end of your visit, you’ll meet at the designated time and meeting point for the return transfer.

You’ll board your catamaran at the pier and set sail for a leisurely cruise along the calm west coast of Antigua, before arriving at the picturesque Deep Bay beach. Here you’ll stop to enjoy some time to relax on the white sands or perhaps cool off with a refreshing swim.

Afterwards, you’ll re-board your catamaran and continue further along the coastline. Sit back and take in the lovely surroundings, before arriving at your next stop, Morris Bay beach. Take the opportunity to indulge in more relaxation on this fine Antiguan beach, before its time to leave the white sands behind.

As you set sail for the final time, satisfy your appetite en route as you are served a delicious al fresco Caribbean buffet lunch. Enjoy the scenery along the way, whilst listening to the musical sounds of the Caribbean.

During your tour you’ll be offered soft drink refreshments; wine, rum punch and ice-cold beer will also be available on the return journey.

Setting off from the port, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to the English Harbour, located at the southern tip of the island. This beautiful natural harbour is home to Nelson’s Dockyard, made famous by the great Admiral Lord Nelson who was stationed here during the 18th century. Today the dockyard has been refurbished as a colonial village offering a wonderful mixture of period English and Caribbean style architecture. It is also the only remaining Georgian naval ship yard still in operation.

Upon arrival, you’ll be given a brief informative orientation of the dockyard. Enjoy a soft drink or rum punch refreshment in the Copper and Lumber Restaurant, before exploring at your own leisure. Perhaps visit the museum, browse the interesting shops and stalls for a souvenir, or simply relax at the water’s edge of the marina.

At a meeting point and time designated, you’ll rejoin your bus for the return drive to St John’s.

Embark on a short drive from St John’s to the Hodges Bay Club, where you’ll take a brief boat ride across to Prickly Pear Island. The island boasts powder white sands, and crystal clear waters with an abundance of marine life.

Upon arrival, the time is yours to spend as you please. Sit back and relax on a sun chair and take in the tranquil surroundings, or perhaps take a refreshing swim in the Caribbean Sea. You may even choose to take a leisurely stroll and simply admire the lovely surroundings.

The knowledgeable crew have experienced every inch of the island’s reef, and there will also be a snorkelling opportunity to discover the underwater wonders.

Throughout your stay refreshments will be available, and a delicious Caribbean style buffet lunch will be offered.

Setting off from the port, you’ll drive to the new Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, the venue for 6 Super 8 round games in the ICC World Cup 2007. Enjoy a guided tour of these impressive grounds.

Afterwards, you’ll head to the Stanford Cricket Ground, home to the ‘West Indies Hall of Fame. Here a tribute has been made to the first class cricketers who have scored over 1000 runs and over 100 wickets at first class level.

Your final stop will be the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG), where you’ll take a guided tour of the grounds. The grounds are home to 4 existing cricket world records and became the 52nd test venue in 1980-81. It’s then time for the highlight of your tour, as your group will have around 30 to 40 minutes with one of Antigua’s cricketing legends, such as Sir Vivian Richards, Curtly Ambrose, Richie Richardson, Andy Roberts, Ridley Jacobs or Kenny Benjamin. You’ll hear their memories and experiences of test cricket and enjoy plenty of photo and autograph opportunities, before it’s time to return to the port.

Located just a 30 minute drive from St John’s is The Antiguan International Shooting School. A first class facility set in 33 acres of the Claremont Estate, located in the lush Claremont Valley.

Upon arrival at Claremont, enjoy a welcome refreshment and meet your fully trained and experienced instructors.

A full safety, handling and technique briefing will be provided and several demonstrations of gun firing will take place. There will be around 50 clays per group, launched at 6 different shooting positions. Enjoy the exhilaration as you take aim and fire……………….

At the end of your unique experience, you can share and relive personal performances with fellow passengers. You may wish to browse the Estate clubhouse gift shop, before the return drive to St John’s.

Barbuda is one of the few Caribbean islands that remains undeveloped and offers a ‘castaway’ feel.

After a short drive from the port to VC Bird airport, you’ll board a Norman Islander aircraft for the 15 minute flight to Barbuda. During the flight, enjoy a spectacular bird’s eye view of Antigua and its diverse landscape.

Upon arrival, you’ll take a tour of Barbuda, which includes a visit to the largest Frigate Bird nesting gathering in the world. Only accessible by boat, you’ll enjoy a pleasant ride through the Lagoon.

Afterwards, head to one of the sandy beaches to relax for an hour or so. A delicious Caribbean style lunch and refreshments will also be served.

You’ll have the opportunity to capture more splendid views, as you take the return flight from Barbuda to Antigua.

Designed by Ralph Aldridge, this established par 70, 18-hole course stretches over Antigua’s rolling hills and features many beautiful tropical trees and vistas of the surrounding area.

The Cedar Valley Golf Course was opened to the public in 1977 as Antigua's only 18-hole championship golf course. This beautiful 6,157-yard course provides an enjoyable, inspiring and very challenging game.

The Golf Club accommodates players of all skill levels and when combined with the beautiful scenery makes for a memorable golfing experience.

Setting off from the port, you’ll take a scenic drive to Nelsons Dockyard. Built in 1725, the Dockyard served as the base for the English naval squadron patrolling the West Indies. Upon arrival, you’ll take a short informative guided walking tour through the Dockyard, followed by some limited free time.

Afterwards, you’ll continue to Dow's Hill Interpretation Centre at Shirley Heights. Here, you’ll view a 15 minute multimedia presentation that traces the island's history from past to present day. You’ll also head up to the former signal station, Shirley Heights Lookout, for a picture perfect view of Nelson's Dockyard and English Harbour.

Your journey will then take you through Fig Tree Drive and onto Carlisle Bay, where your catamaran awaits. Here, you’ll embark on a leisurely cruise back along the coast to St John’s. Sit back and relax and take in the lovely views as you pass by some of the many beaches that Antigua is renowned for. Whilst on board, you’ll be served a typical Caribbean buffet lunch and an open bar will be available.

Located just a short drive from the port of St John’s is the The Rex Hawksbill Hotel Resort, set in 37 acres of landscaped tropical gardens it is an idyllic place to relax.

The time at the resort is yours to spend at your leisure. You may wish to make the most of the many activities available, including snorkelling and kayaking. If you prefer, simply relax and soak up the sun on one of the 4 white sand beaches or take a refreshing swim in the swimming pool.

During your stay, a delicious buffet lunch and unlimited beverages will be available.