Antigua is a premier Caribbean cruise destination, famous for having 365 beaches with one to visit on each day of the year. This island is perfect for passengers who want to explore independently or with tours, both are easily accessed from the port.
During a port day in Antigua you will have to make a choice on which beach you want to visit and if you want to take a tour to fit more in. We decided to visit a beach and the town, but there is still so much more to see on our next visit. In this guide we give you our full itinerary for our port day in Antigua and other options we think are worth it.
If you only have one day in Antigua from a cruise ship, this guide will show you exactly how to maximise your time between beaches, sightseeing and local culture.
Table of Contents
Antigua Cruise Port Guide Overview
Arriving At St. John’s Cruise Port
Where Cruise Ships Dock In Antigua
There are two docks that cruise ships can use in Antigua, you will either be at the Heritage Quay or Redcliffe/Nevis Street Pier. Heritage Quay is the port that is full of duty free shops and is more modern, the Nevis Street Pier is the older more relaxed pier. It doesn’t really matter which you dock at as they are connected by a walkway that is about 2-3 minutes long. From the port it is a 600m walk into the main downtown area of St John’s and the port area has lots of shopping and dining options available.
Essential Information For Cruise Passengers
- You can use both the Eastern Caribbean Dollar and USD.
- Taxis are about $15 USD per person to close by beaches, prices vary depending on negotiation, distance and shared taxis.
- There is also a local mini bus system that runs over the island, this can be more time consuming but it is much cheaper.
Antigua Port Day Itinerary
Morning: Explore Historic St. John’s
Walk Around Downtown St. John’s
St John’s is a great town to walk around and check out all the colourful Caribbean architecture, local markets and go shopping at the stalls near the port. The town is easy to walk around, check out both piers, VC Bird Monument, the small Museum Of Antigua & Barbuda ($5 USD entry) and St. John’s Cathedral.
Visit St. John’s Cathedral
Saint John’s Cathedral is a 19th-century cathedral with 2 baroque-style, cupola-topped towers. Inside is a wooden interior that has been renovated beautifully however there is a $5 USD charge to enter the church, we just took a look from outside. It makes a quick stop while walking the town, a quick visit for independent travellers. This Anglican church was originally consecrated in 1683, the exterior architecture is beautiful.
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Browse Heritage Quay
Despite the name, Heritage Quay is the more modern pier filled with Duty-free shopping, souvenirs and rum products.
Redcliffe Quay
This is the older pier with historic, colourful buildings and a little more vibe. There are lots of shopping market stalls here and we watched a band playing Caribbean style music, it was a fun atmosphere. Just across the road you will find lots of bars and restaurants selling rum punch for about $8 a glass with balconies to watch over the action at the pier.
VC Bird Monument
The VC Bird Monument is dedicated to the first Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda, Vere Bird. He was born in St John’s in 1910 and became president in 1981. He took the country from a British Colony to an Independent country. The statue is really big, about 10m tall and sits between 2 busy roads.
Head To One Of Antigua’s Best Beaches
Antigua has some of the best beaches in the region and there are loads to choose from. There is easy beach access from the cruise port depending on how much time you have.
Best Beaches Near Antigua Cruise Port
Dickenson Bay
This is the beach we came to on our cruise port day with Virgin Voyages, it is the most popular beach for cruise visitors, 4.6km from the port area. You will find calm turquoise water, sun-beds to hire and lots of restaurants, water sports and facilities. It is also where you will find the famous red telephone box, which was sadly covered up when we were there.
If you are looking for a public section of beach with some shade it can be hard to find, there was a small patch near this building. There is also a small shop behind the carpark with cheap beer (small beers $2USD and big bottles $3USD) and drinks. You can pay a taxi about $10-15 USD per person to get here or take the local mini bus number 50 for $1.50 USD pp. It fills up at a bus station and we caught it on the corner of Bishopsgate Street, waiting for a long time for one to come by that wasn’t too full. Tell the driver where you are going and pay when you get off.
Runaway Bay
You can actually walk to Runaway Bay from Dickenson Bay if you like a long walk. It has a quieter atmosphere with the same excellent swimming conditions. It is 4.3km from the port area by car.
Fort James Beach
Fort James Beach is the closest beach to the cruise port, only 3.4km away. The historic Fort James is nearby to visit at the same time. The beach here is nice, more natural and not as crowded as Dickenson Bay.
Valley Church Beach
This beach is a little further away from the port about 11.6km by car. It is a long beach with stunning scenery, perfect for photographs. There are beach clubs and facilities here and lots of tours will visit this beach. A taxi here can cost around $10-15 per person.
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Lunch With A Caribbean View
There are lots of beachfront restaurants to enjoy some lunch overlooking the sea. A really popular one is Salt Plage at Dickenson Bay, the menu has some great seafood options along with rum punch and tropical drinks.
Starfish Beachbar next door also looks good for a happy hour drink, with specials from 4:30-6pm (if you have enough time)
Alternatively this tour includes a lunch on Dickenson Bay!
Afternoon: Choose Your Perfect Antigua Experience
Option 1: Beach Day At Dickenson Bay
If you are looking to just relax and spend some time in beach bars. Any of the cafes can call you a taxi and there are usually some taxis waiting in this car park. Alternatively you can do what we did (if you have enough time) head up to the main road and wait on the opposite side to the Sandals Hotel. Buses and taxis come past here all day, most will stop and see if you want a taxi, we kept asking for them to do the same mini bus price back to the port. Most say no but eventually a taxi offered us $6 USD for 2 return to port which we gratefully accepted.
Option 2: Visit Nelson’s Dockyard
Nelson’s Dockyard is Antigua’s most famous historic attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a 1700s site with a naval history museum. You will find restored buildings with shops, restaurants, bars and scenic harbour views. This is one of the most popular places to visit in Antigua.
Option 3: Shirley Heights Lookout
Shirley Heights Lookout is one of the best viewpoints in Antigua with views of the English Harbour. This viewpoint gives you panoramic photo opportunities and is a stop on most island tours.
Option 4: Antigua Island Tour
An island tour is the best way to see multiple beaches, visit historical points of interest and learn about Antigua’s history and culture. They are a great option for repeat Caribbean cruisers who have visited before and seen everything that is close to the port. Make sure when you book that you will get back to the port in time for your final boarding as you really don’t want to miss that.
What To Do In Antigua If You Only Have 4–6 Hours
If you have a short port time then I would stay close to the port area making the day less stressful. Walk around St. John’s, take a quick beach visit and spend the time in the pier markets shopping or take a rum punch on the balcony at Hemingways or at Rum Runners By The Sea.
Our Antigua Port Day Itinerary
8:00 AM – Arrive At Cruise Port
9:00 AM – Head straight to Dickenson Bay
12:30 PM – Lunch
02:00 PM – Explore St. John’s, the piers and grab a drink.
4:00 PM – Return To Port (depending upon your departure time.
Is Antigua Walkable From The Cruise Port?
This really depends on what attractions you want to see, the cathedral, monument and pier shops and streets are all walkable but all other attractions would need a taxi or bus.
One important thing to note is that the streets of St John’s are not the easiest to manoeuvre if you are not fully mobile. There are big gaps and cracks, large step downs from the pavement to street to cross and lots of wires to dodge.
Antigua Cruise Port Tips
It is always useful to carry small cash notes for taxis or buses. Make sure you confirm all taxi fares before getting in. Make sure to allow extra time to get back to the port as there can be delays. I can not stress enough how important it is to check your ship departure time/all aboard time very carefully before leaving in the morning as they are subject to change. You don’t want to be stressed all day because you are not sure what time it is. You also really don’t want to miss it or you will have to get yourself to the next port location which could be really expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you walk to a beach from Antigua cruise port?
The closest beach is 3.6km from the port and the walk would take about 45 minutes. That really depends on you but to get the most out of your day we recommend taking a taxi.
What is the best beach near St. John’s cruise port?
Dickenson’s Bay Beach is the most popular and nicest beach close to the cruise port.
How much is a taxi in Antigua?
Taxi prices will range depending on where you are going, they start at $10-$15 USD per person.
Is Antigua safe for cruise passengers?
Antigua is generally safe for cruise passengers but I would be very aware of my surroundings and belongings. Staying in populated areas such as the cruise port area which is very safe with lots of security around.
What is Antigua famous for?
Antigua is mostly famous for its many, 365 in fact, beautiful sandy beaches.
Is Nelson’s Dockyard worth visiting?
Nelson’s Dockyard is a very famous historical and UNESCO site. It is worth visiting if you have the time as it is quite far from the port.
How far is Shirley Heights from the cruise port?
Shirley Heights is approximately 20-25km from the cruise port.
Is one day enough in Antigua?
In one day you can discover one of the beautiful beaches, explore the town of St John and grab a local meal.
Is Antigua Worth Visiting On A Cruise?
Antigua is definitely worth visiting on a cruise, with its combination of beaches, history and scenery, Antigua is a favourite Caribbean cruise stop and we can see why. It is an easy destination for independent travellers and suitable for families, couples and beach lovers. We think it is an excellent port to visit on a cruise, with so many options for your perfect beach day and excellent port services you really can’t go wrong.
Plan your trip:
→ MSC Bahamas Review
→ Ocean Cay Cruise Port Guide
→ Barbados Cruise Port Guide
→ Martinique Cruise Port Guide
→ St Maarten Cruise Port Guide
→ MSC Gluten Free Review
→ Virgin Voyages Caribbean Review
→ Virgin Voyages Gluten Free Review
→ Nassau Cruise Port Guide
→ Curacao Guide
→ Aruba Guide
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We hope this guide helped you plan an unforgettable trip.
