Falmouth, Antigua

Nelson’s Dockyard National Park

“Nelson’s Dockyard” is the largest of the national parks in Antigua and is still used today as a working shipyard for numerous yachts and vessels. This harbor was a crucial strategic site for the English garrison in the 1600-1700s. After the fort was abandoned in 1889, it began to fall into ruin until a local group of restorers decided to bring it back to life. The park itself covers an area of 26 square kilometers. Another highlight of the park is the Governor’s Palace, dating back to the eighteenth century. The shipyard buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries have been fully restored to their original splendor. There are many craft workshops, shops, restaurants, and hotels here. Historic forts enhance the park’s landscape, and walking trails allow visitors to wander and enjoy the beauty of the park.

Beaches of Antigua

Each of Antigua's beaches is unique. Lively beaches Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay on the northwestern coast are ideal for those looking for a full-fledged resort vacation. The Hawksbill beaches are more secluded and better suited for a calm getaway. Unique pink beaches Freys Bay, Dukeswood Beach, as well as the beaches around Johnson Point on the island's southern coast. Here you can also find the quietest and most deserted Rendezvous Bay and Doeigs Beach. The Half Moon Bay beach on the southeastern coast of the island has been designated a national park, but it still remains a wonderful place for a family vacation.

Ranaway Bay Beach

Ranaway Bay Beach, located on the shore of Ranaway Bay on the west coast of the island of Antigua, will delight travelers with its magnificent white sand, calm waters, stunning views, and a complete, high-quality beach infrastructure. On the inner side of the bay there is a large saltwater pond that serves as a nesting place for thousands of seabirds.

Bettys Hope Mansion

Bettys Hope Estate was named after the daughter of the first owner of the estate, Colonel Christopher Codrington-Elizabeth. Codrington, appointed governor of the island of Antigua when it was still under British rule, acquired the estate in 1674. On the estate grounds, 300 enslaved people worked on sugarcane plantations. During World War II, the Codringtons sold the estate, and today the manor belongs to the government of Antigua and Barbuda. Today, the Bettys Hope Estate is an open-air historic monument and a popular tourist attraction. Here you can see two windmills, the ruins of a residential house, the roofless ruins of the former liquor distillery, yet with elegant arches, and you can also visit an interesting museum.

Devil’s Bridge

Devil's Bridge is a natural, man-made creation of nature: a bizarre rock jutting out over the sea in the eastern part of the island. Devil's Bridge looks very expressive. But its history is linked to dramatic events. This beautiful rocky formation on Antigua's eastern coast became the place of farewell to life for many runaway slaves, who from right here threw themselves into the ocean to find eternal freedom. There is also another legend, which says that the last native inhabitants of Antigua jumped from this natural bridge into the sea, thus expressing protest against the extermination of the native population. In any case, Devil's Bridge, against which the fierce waves crash to pieces every day, makes a truly grand impression.

Shirley Heights Complex

Shirley Heights is a complex of military fortifications: a set of fortress-like military buildings located on top of a hill, built as early as the 18th century to protect the island. Today, it houses a museum that reflects the history of military operations from that era. Among the exhibits are model warships, military plans, weapons and soldiers’ uniforms, and even a few vintage cannons. From the fortress, there is a magnificent view of English Harbour with many ships. It is especially impressive after dark, when the surroundings are illuminated with colorful lanterns, their reflections shimmering in the sea water. Locals hold picnics here every weekend, and after sunset-lively street festivities with captivating Caribbean music.

Dickenson Bay

Dickenson Bay on the northwest coast of the island is especially attractive to tourists traveling with children. This is a beautiful bay with white sand near the shore and excellent conditions for swimming and snorkeling, diving, deep-sea fishing, and windsurfing. Thanks to its clear waters and a wide beach area with soft, gentle sand, it is perfect for a relaxing family holiday. However, it is worth noting that the ocean here is not always calm. The coastline is lined with restaurants, beach bars, and water-sports concessions. A few uninhabited islands and an extensive coral reef are located not far from the shore.

Bird Island

Bird Island is a tiny island located to the east of Antigua. With its beautiful clear water and white-sand beaches, and with tropical plants growing on it, the island attracts birdwatching enthusiasts. It got its name because of the vast number of birds that live here all year round. It is a unique place as it is home to a large colony of frigatebirds. The frigatebird is the national bird of the country and is strikingly beautiful. The wingspan of the largest representatives of this species, among males that have a red throat pouch that inflates during the mating season, reaches 2 meters. The birds are not at all afraid of people: they calmly hunt for fish, build nests, and raise their chicks. You can watch them for several hours-they will pay you no attention.

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