Plenty ah tings to do in Antigua

Antigua is known for its fabulous beaches, but there’s plenty to keep you occupied otherwise, from rainforest adventures and boat trips to heritage sites or catamaran and boat, kayak, horseback and Segway tours.

If understanding Antigua’s history is important, there are walking and eating tours of the capital St John’s or sightseeing tours of the island’s historical sights, landmarks and secluded beaches.

In a handsome stone building that once housed the courthouse in St John’s, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda covers the history and culture of the two-island nation. You’ll find plenty of indigenous artefacts, including examples of pottery and basketry, as well as background info on the history of slavery and life on a sugar plantation. You’ll take it all in with a walking tour of St John’s with experienced and knowledgeable guides.

Any trip to Antigua must include visiting historic Nelson’s Dockyard and the National Park’s area. And whilst there, there’s a tradition on Sunday nights to head up to the lookout point of Shirley Heights, eat some barbecued food, drink some rum and listen to the steel band for the longest-running party in Antigua whilst watching the sun dip into the ocean in a blaze of orange and pinks. Even if you’re not here on a Sunday, you should still make the trip up to the old military post - it has some of the best views on the island, taking in English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard and, on a clear day, even neighbouring Montserrat.

Having lived in Antigua for over 30 years, I find nothing better than to take my guests to find their sea legs and join one of the many excellent catamaran or boat trips. These include five hours or so circling the entire island or stopping at wonderful snorkelling sites, beaches, a deserted island and taking in a Caribbean lunch. Alternatively, a sunset cruise is the perfect sundowner.

The waters around Antigua teem with marine life, and none is more impressive than the southern stingray, which can grow up to a width of 1.5 metres. For a chance to get up close to the rays, head out to Seatons and take a short boat ride to a patch of shallow water close to the mainland. It’s home to a number of these fascinating creatures that remain wild but are well used to human contact. They’re comfortable gliding up to you in the water, and you can feed them shrimp from your hand.

Feeling more adventurous? The interior of Antigua looks so different to the coast. The bright blues and sunshine yellows of the beach are replaced by the dark greens and shadows of the rainforest, where the vegetation is sometimes so thick it blocks out the blue sky. It’s excellent hiking territory, and Wallings Nature Reserve is the best place to experience it. Take a stroll along numerous well-marked walking trails leading through the rainforest with an expert guide, and they’ll point out and explain any local fauna and flora you see on the way.

Then, take the opportunity to harness up and clip yourself onto a zip cable and hurtle above it. There’s a range of courses to appeal to every type of adventurer, from four to 99 years old. You’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy as you go.

Antigua & Barbuda has something to offer all ages and every level of adventurer in you.

Wildlife fans should book themselves onto a nature tour of Laviscount Island, reached only by boat from Seatons. For many, the highlight is meeting the Aldabra giant tortoises, which can live up to 200 years, but there are macaw parrots and native Lesser Antillean iguanas here too. A lunch of barbecue chicken, fried plantain, and plenty of snorkelling and hiking are included.

To get a good understanding of the island in one go, join a day tour, taking in its major sites and covering its history, culture and food. A 4×4 trip gives you the freedom to go off-road and reach viewpoints and beaches not accessible to minibuses or taxis — and adds a sense of adventure.

For a different perspective of Antigua, slip on a pair of fins, a mask and snorkel and jump into its shallow waters. The coral reefs dotted around the island are home to an abundance of marine life, including octopus, sea turtles, rays and parrot fish. Knowledgeable guides at Galleon Beach take guests to the Pillars of Hercules, a rock formation known for turtle sightings. You’re kitted out with a hand-held snorkel scooter to help propel you through the water, and the guides will take plenty of photos of you in action.

Antigua & Barbuda has something to offer all ages and every level of adventurer in you with first-class tour operators who are willing and standing by to reach your goals.

Article written by Neil Keeling, Managing Director of The Rendevouz Co Ltd Antigua, an Antigua-based tour operator with 50 unique, innovative and exclusive tours across the islands.

“Antigua & Barbuda has something to offer all ages and every level of adventurer in you.”