If you want to cruise to some beautiful beaches, look for
itineraries that include a call on Antigua. This island in the Eastern
Caribbean is said to have 365 beaches along its 54 miles of coastline – one for
each day of the year.
Amazingly, the beaches of Antigua are quite diverse. Calm, sparkling
water and soft white sand make Valley Church Beach and nearby Darkwood Beach
among the most beautiful on the island. Some visitors prefer the more developed
and lively Dickinson Bay Beach, which offers lots of watersports and is lined with
restaurants and bars. To watch wind surfers in action – or take a lesson yourself
– make your way to lovely Jabberwock Beach. You can also hop on the ferry to
Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda, to enjoy 17 Mile Beach, all of it covered
with gorgeous pink sand.
And, there’s more to Antigua than its beaches. Cruise ships dock
in the capital of St. John’s, where you can tour the Museum of Antigua and
Barbuda. Exhibits explain the history of the islands, which has been shaped by
Arawaks, Caribs, and English colonists, among others.
One of the most popular excursions for cruise ship passengers is
Nelson’s Dockyard, the only continuously working Georgian-era dockyard in the
world. It was first built in the early 18th century as a repair port
for the British Royal Navy, and you can still see architectural remnants of the
original dockyard. Today, beautiful sailboats and yachts dock there, and many
of the historic buildings have been restored as restaurants, shops and galleries.
For a spectacular view of the beauty all around you, venture up to
Shirley Heights, the remnants of a former lookout fort. There’s a breathtaking
view of two harbors and the hills that rise around them. If your cruise ship
schedule allows, go up just before sunset – it’s a memorable experience to
watch the sun go down and the twinkling lights around the harbor come on.
For a look at the sugar industry that once ruled the island, visit
Betty’s Hope, a partially restored plantation. Some of the sugar mills are
still there, and you can see archeological digs that are uncovering slave
quarters and a rum distillery.
To discover Antigua for yourself, talk with Anita, your Cruise
Holidays personal cruise expert, about itineraries that will take you there.
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