St. John’s, Antigua

St. John’s Cathedral

This cathedral can be seen from afar thanks to its snow-white twin towers. It was built in the mid-19th century in its third version, since the first two were destroyed by an earthquake. The cathedral is in the Baroque style. On one side of the cathedral, there are figures of St. John the Evangelist and St. John the Baptist, which were moved here in 1756 from a French ship bound for Martinique. The church is one of the few examples of a combined stone-and-wood architecture. Special attention is also deserved by the bell tower, built in the Baroque style.

Fort James

The most frequently visited place in the city by visitors is Fort James, once defending the colony against the claims of French soldiers. The first stone of the fortress was laid as early as 1739. Interestingly, the stone bears the mark of Freemasons. You can still see this stone today. Notably, Fort James has never taken part in a battle. Its mission was to intimidate the enemy. The fortress has preserved many unique items. For example, there is a cannon that was fired at approaching unfamiliar ships. To make a shot, the labor of eleven adult men was required! In addition to the weapons, the dining hall, barracks, and gunpowder stores have been preserved here in virtually perfect condition.

Beaches of Antigua

Each of the beaches in Antigua is unique. Lively beaches Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay on the northwest coast are ideal for those seeking a full-on resort holiday. Just next to St. John’s are popular open-air beaches Fort James and Deep Bay. The Hawksbill beaches are more secluded and better suited for a relaxing getaway. The unique pink beaches of Freys Bay, Duckwood Beach, as well as the beaches around Johnson Point on the island’s south coast are also remarkable. Here you’ll find the quietest and most deserted Rendezvous Bay and Doigs Beach. Half Moon Bay on the southeast coast of the island has been designated a national park, but it still remains a wonderful place for a family vacation.

Nelson’s Dockyard National Park

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

Raneaway Bay Beach

Ranevay Bay Beach, located on the shore of Ranevay Bay on the west coast of the island of Antigua, will delight tourists with its magnificent white sand, calm waters, stunning views, and a complete beach infrastructure of high quality. On the inner side of the bay there is a large saltwater body of water, which serves as a nesting site for thousands of seabirds.

Bettis Hope Manor

Bettys-Hope Manor is 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. To date, Bettys-Hope Manor is an open-air historic monument and a popular tourist attraction. Here you can see two windmills, the ruins of the residential house, the roofless ruins of the former rum distillery with elegant arches, and also visit an interesting museum.

Farmers Market

A farmers market located on the southern outskirts of the city on weekends is like a swarm of bees. Everything here moves, buzzes, shimmers, sparkles, shouts and lowers its price. At the market you can buy folk-art handicrafts and exotic tropical fruits.

Bird Island

Bird Island is a tiny island located to the east of Antigua. With its beautiful crystal-clear water and white sandy beaches, and tropical vegetation growing on it, the island attracts birdwatching enthusiasts. The island got its name thanks to the huge number of birds that live here year-round. It is a unique place, as it is home to a large colony of frigates. The frigate is the country’s national bird and captivates with its beauty. The wingspan of the largest representatives of this species, whose males have a red throat pouch that inflates during the breeding 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 won’t pay you any attention.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can view it after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Area”.