Antigua Beaches, diving, golf, casinos and nightlife
If the 365 beaches on Antigua are not enough to keep you content, Antigua offers plenty of action in and out of the water.
BEACHES
Most of the 365 beaches are on the Caribbean side. They are all open to the public and have different attributes, just be sure to get good directions before you go.
Northwest Coast
Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay offer all the amenities of a resort beach experience. Fort James and Deep Bay are closest to St. John’s and Galley Bay attracts surfers and runners.
Southwest and South Coast
The beaches of the hilly southwest corner of Antigua are generally less developed than those further north. On the road that winds along this coast are Fryes Bay, Darkwood Beach, and the beaches around Johnson’s Point.
Rendezvous Bay and especially Doigs Beach, both located on the central southern coast at Rendezvous Bay, are especially quiet beaches.
East Coast:
On the southeast corner of the island is the national park Half Moon Bay.
DIVING
Underwater visibility ranges from 50 to 140 feet, and tropical marine plants and animals are diverse and plentiful here. Wrecks and reefs provide a great environment for divers. The most accessible wreck is the schooner Andes, not far out in Deep Bay, off Five Islands Peninsula. Among the favorite sites are Green Island, Cades Reef, and Bird Island (a national park).
Big John's Dive Antigua (268/462-3483; diveantigua.com)
Dockyard Divers (268/460-1178)
FISHING
Antigua's waters are full of marlin, Wahoo, and tuna. Deep-sea fishing is a popular activity and the trips usually include lunch. Rates can run about $400 to $450 for a half-day, $600 to $750 for a full day, for up to six people.
Obsession (268/462-2824)
Overdraft (268/464-4954 or 268/462-3112; antiguafishing.com)
GOLF
Cedar Valley Golf Club (Friar's Hill; 268/462-0161; cedarvalleygolf.ag), northeast of St. John's, has a par-70, 6,157-yard, 18-hole course. Greens fees are $35; carts are $30.
Jolly Harbour Golf Course (Jolly Harbour; 268/463-8830 or 268/462-7771; jollyharbourantigua.com) is a par-71, 6,001-yard, 18-hole course with seven lakes adding to the challenge. Greens fees are $65 (including cart).
SAILING & SNORKELING
Jolly Roger cruises (268/462-2064), has a pirate ship replica with a pirate crew. Their Saturday night booze cruises with open bar and live bands are popular.
Kokomo Cats (268/462-7245; kokomocat.com) has several cruises.
Miguel's Holiday Adventures (268/460-9978 or 268/723-7418) leaves every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning at 10 AM from the Hodges Bay jetty for snorkeling, rum punches, and lunch at Prickley Pear Island.
Shorty's (268/462-6326) is a glass bottom boat offering various snorkeling trips to Bird Island, as well as sunset cruises and lobster picnics.
Wadadli Cats (268/462-4792; wadadlicats.com) offers several cruises, including a circumnavigation of the island and snorkeling at Bird Island, on its four sleek catamarans, including the handsome Spirit of Antigua.
ENGLISH HARBOUR
The most famous of Antigua's attractions is the English Harbour, just south of Falmouth.
When the Royal Navy abandoned the station at English Harbour in 1889, it fell by the wayside. The Society of the Friends of English Harbour began restoring it in 1951 and it reopened as Nelson's Dockyard, November 14, 1961. Within the compound are crafts shops, restaurants, and two restored 18th-century hotels, the Admiral's Inn and the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel.
The Admiral's House Museum (268/481-5022; antiguamusuems.com) displays ship models, a model of English Harbour, silver regatta trophies, maps, and prints.
NIGHTLIFE
Castaways (Jolly Harbour; 268/562-4445) is a beach bar-bistro with a thatched roof and an inexpensive menu of tapas with live music on occasion.
Lashings (Runaway Bay; 268/462-4438), is a fun place for happy hours, dancing, Tex-Mex and pizzas.
Life (Nelson's Dockyard, English Harbour; 268/562-2353), is a semi-enclosed wooden pier with 2-for-1 happy hours and live bands.
Mad Mongoose (Falmouth Harbour; 268/463-7900), is the closest thing to a sports bar with plenty of TV’s.
Mainbrace Pub (English Harbour; 268/460-1058), is a fish-n-chips spot for boaters.
Millers By The Sea (Fort James Beach; 268/462-9414), is a very crowded place for happy hour and live nightly entertainment.
Trappa’s (English Harbour; 268/562-3534), is a hipster hangout set in a virtual jungle of greenery serving great tapas.
CASINOS
Grand Princess Casino (Jolly Harbour; 268/562-9900)
King's Casino (Heritage Quay, St. John's; 268/462-1727)
St. James Club (Mamora Bay; 268/460-5000 or 800/345-0271)
Learn more about Antigua: Getting to Antigua, Staying in Antigua, Restaurants, Attractions, Photos, News, or back to home.