Antigua - Anyone been?
Discussion
I'm going there in a few week's time. Just wondering if anyone has been there, would recommend anything, what to look out for etc.
Staying all inclusive, but I like to try local cuisine and get involved in the culture, so I'm happy to venture out.
Obviously, I've done the relevant Googling and Trip Advisor research, however PH has thrown up some gems in the past, so am keen to give it a go again.
Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers
Staying all inclusive, but I like to try local cuisine and get involved in the culture, so I'm happy to venture out.
Obviously, I've done the relevant Googling and Trip Advisor research, however PH has thrown up some gems in the past, so am keen to give it a go again.
Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers
I went in Oct/Nov 2008. It was work though, so possibly not that relevant to you.
We ventured out to Nelson's Harbour, which is pretty nice. We also went for a bit of a wander around St Johns, which is an interesting place, and very photogenic. There are plenty of sailing and diving activities to get involved in, if that piques your fancy.
The locals are fairly poor, if that bothers you; unfortunately that's the way some of the world is, there's not a lot you can do about it.
It amused me that the kids all go to school in very 'English' looking uniforms, all incredibly smart.
People in the main seemed friendly, although the patois can be a little tricky to grasp at times.
Sorry I can't be of much help.
We ventured out to Nelson's Harbour, which is pretty nice. We also went for a bit of a wander around St Johns, which is an interesting place, and very photogenic. There are plenty of sailing and diving activities to get involved in, if that piques your fancy.
The locals are fairly poor, if that bothers you; unfortunately that's the way some of the world is, there's not a lot you can do about it.
It amused me that the kids all go to school in very 'English' looking uniforms, all incredibly smart.
People in the main seemed friendly, although the patois can be a little tricky to grasp at times.
Sorry I can't be of much help.
Where are you staying?
We were at The Verandah Resort on the north east coast. Excellent resort in most ways but a bit away from the nice bits of the island.
Went diving in the south at the St James Resort and had a look at Nelson Harbour. Lovely. Very picturesque.
Like all west indies islands it's paradise like, climate, beaches ,vegetation etc but Antigua is pretty flat and as most islands are, very poor.
Some care when out and about on your own is sensible but dont get too hung up on it. Get out and see the place.
We were at The Verandah Resort on the north east coast. Excellent resort in most ways but a bit away from the nice bits of the island.
Went diving in the south at the St James Resort and had a look at Nelson Harbour. Lovely. Very picturesque.
Like all west indies islands it's paradise like, climate, beaches ,vegetation etc but Antigua is pretty flat and as most islands are, very poor.
Some care when out and about on your own is sensible but dont get too hung up on it. Get out and see the place.
Cheers gents, will be staying at the Grand Pineapple, so right near the Verandha on the north east. Only concern for me was that it's on the "atlantic" side, and not on the carribean sea, but sure it'll be warm still.
Will def check out Shirley Heights as various people have mentioned it, and plannig on hiring a car so we can go and explore the island a bit more.
Any more suggestions, keep em coming!
Cheers
Will def check out Shirley Heights as various people have mentioned it, and plannig on hiring a car so we can go and explore the island a bit more.
Any more suggestions, keep em coming!
Cheers
Hi
Don't know if this helps as my experiences are a few years out of date, but we went several times in the 90's and 00's and loved it every time. Beautiful, beautiful place.
As mentioned already, go to Nelson's Harbour and Shirley Heights (avoid the weed though, it's rough
) and also a wander around St John's is actually less of a tourist cliche than you'd think. Hemmigway's holiday home is a detour worth a few minutes and there used to be a really good bar directly on the harbour serving amazing grub.
If you're lucky you might be there when one of the big cruise ships comes in for some epic people watching over a beer - it is a wonderful sight to see the stereotyped American couples coming off the boat festooned with cameras, fanny packs and shorts, sandals and socks up the knees (SO wrong!). It is like a ritual - the guy hands over the plastic and the lady turns one way to the airconned shopping rows, and the guys shrug and turn the other way to the bars.
The other excursion that we enjoyed was the Jolly Roger pirate ship tour - we have done the day and the evening tour and both are a good shout. Food and drink thrown in and good music too.
Last thing we visited once was a remarkable rock formation called Devils Bridge which - if the wind is up - is a daunting thing to walk across (even though it's only 20 feet or so) especially if a big wave comes crashing in beneath you!
I'd say just hire a jeep and get out there - it's pretty easy to get a handle for the roads and you're never far from someone willing to share a big smile and some help! Don't be put off by appearance of the non-hotel restaurants either - you don't have anything particularly to fear food wise and the atmosphere will be welcoming. We walked to one with only a torch the last time we went (2008) and had a brilliant meal, which was spoiled only when I stupidly managed to rub my eye with the finger that I'd earlier used to taste some of the "Susie's Famous Hot Sauce" - OUCH!!
Enjoy it - in my view it's the best Carribean island
ps Don't EVER buy the "Sun Tan" oil from the vendors that occasionally appear on the beaches - it's literally Cooking oil scavenged from the hotels and bottled!! I watched a guy plaster it all over himself on his first day and promptly fall asleep. I think he came out of hospital just in time for his flight home!
Don't know if this helps as my experiences are a few years out of date, but we went several times in the 90's and 00's and loved it every time. Beautiful, beautiful place.
As mentioned already, go to Nelson's Harbour and Shirley Heights (avoid the weed though, it's rough
) and also a wander around St John's is actually less of a tourist cliche than you'd think. Hemmigway's holiday home is a detour worth a few minutes and there used to be a really good bar directly on the harbour serving amazing grub.If you're lucky you might be there when one of the big cruise ships comes in for some epic people watching over a beer - it is a wonderful sight to see the stereotyped American couples coming off the boat festooned with cameras, fanny packs and shorts, sandals and socks up the knees (SO wrong!). It is like a ritual - the guy hands over the plastic and the lady turns one way to the airconned shopping rows, and the guys shrug and turn the other way to the bars.
The other excursion that we enjoyed was the Jolly Roger pirate ship tour - we have done the day and the evening tour and both are a good shout. Food and drink thrown in and good music too.
Last thing we visited once was a remarkable rock formation called Devils Bridge which - if the wind is up - is a daunting thing to walk across (even though it's only 20 feet or so) especially if a big wave comes crashing in beneath you!
I'd say just hire a jeep and get out there - it's pretty easy to get a handle for the roads and you're never far from someone willing to share a big smile and some help! Don't be put off by appearance of the non-hotel restaurants either - you don't have anything particularly to fear food wise and the atmosphere will be welcoming. We walked to one with only a torch the last time we went (2008) and had a brilliant meal, which was spoiled only when I stupidly managed to rub my eye with the finger that I'd earlier used to taste some of the "Susie's Famous Hot Sauce" - OUCH!!
Enjoy it - in my view it's the best Carribean island
ps Don't EVER buy the "Sun Tan" oil from the vendors that occasionally appear on the beaches - it's literally Cooking oil scavenged from the hotels and bottled!! I watched a guy plaster it all over himself on his first day and promptly fall asleep. I think he came out of hospital just in time for his flight home!
I've only ever been when the cricket has been on. Wonderful place. May be worth while taking in a local game if you get the chance. Whilst it's possible to do nothing but chill on the beach, it's also a good place to get out and about, English harbour, Shirley Heights, St Johns etc all need to be done. lunch in any of the little cafes in St Johns is a good experience.
You won't be able to walk around the place easily, an absolute necessity is a scooter to get round the island and see the place. It's not that cheap to eat out but the food is great. Barbuda is worth a visit, there are boat trips out there. Take your own snorkel etc.
It's an awesome place, have a good time.
It's an awesome place, have a good time.
If the planets ever align enough to get a break from classifieds beta I'm hoping to go here end of June. Looking at jolly beach or whatever's 1k a head all inclusive going with Virgin holidays. Hopefully most places are decent, been recommended BBQ on the cliffs I think its Shirley's. Trioadvisor has alot of reviews and info therein 
You are on the 'right' side of the island, at least from a sea breeze/mozzie point of view. Steady fresh trade winds blowing most of the time, apparently this keeps the mozzies from feeding.
We spent Christmas at the Verandah resort and had a great time.
Didn't get to see much of the island bar a day trip to see a friend on his boat down in Nelson's harbour.
Airport was nightmare though - two jumbos departing on the same afternoon was just too much!
We spent Christmas at the Verandah resort and had a great time.
Didn't get to see much of the island bar a day trip to see a friend on his boat down in Nelson's harbour.
Airport was nightmare though - two jumbos departing on the same afternoon was just too much!
As mentioned, flying out can be interesting.
If we went back we would hire a car for a couple of days, with another couple, to do any events / day trips. We did the rainforest zip line tour, and it was alright, very tame. For the cost of the trip from the hotel we could have hired a car and driven ourselves, and paid to go in too. If you can find another couple to share the cost it would be worth it.
To have a drive around the island just having a look is about a day. The old harbour near Falmouth is worth a look.
If we went back we would hire a car for a couple of days, with another couple, to do any events / day trips. We did the rainforest zip line tour, and it was alright, very tame. For the cost of the trip from the hotel we could have hired a car and driven ourselves, and paid to go in too. If you can find another couple to share the cost it would be worth it.
To have a drive around the island just having a look is about a day. The old harbour near Falmouth is worth a look.
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
seeing the "Cricket" post above -
When leaving and you get dropped at the Airport - dump your bags, turn around, walk over the road to the Cricket Stadium that Crook/Rogue Stanford built and have a beer and bit in there rather than hanging around a minimal Airport......
That'll be "The Sticky Wicket". It was closed when I was last there in 2010 (as a result of the Stanford affair I assume). I understand it had re-opened since then but is once again closed-down. No harm in trying though, because as you say, it was better than the airport facilities and very close by.When leaving and you get dropped at the Airport - dump your bags, turn around, walk over the road to the Cricket Stadium that Crook/Rogue Stanford built and have a beer and bit in there rather than hanging around a minimal Airport......
We did a trip with these guys in 2010 and I'd thoroughly recommend it... http://www.creolecruisesantigua.com/
Been there 5 or 6 times, either flying in or arriving by boat.
It a great island not as tropical as St Lucia for example or as civilised as Barbados, as said above the islanders are reasonably poor following the issues they have had in the last few years.
I have never felt uncomfortable either walking around or driving on the island apart from English Harbour at the end of Race week!
St Johns is ok, watches can be bought at cheaper prices than the uk.
I am not into Scuba but apparently there is some good stuff there.
Jolly Beach or Jumby Bay are worth a visit funds depending, but there is a good range of places to stay.
Could you bring me back some Suzies Sauce and a new Wadadli T-Shirt!
It a great island not as tropical as St Lucia for example or as civilised as Barbados, as said above the islanders are reasonably poor following the issues they have had in the last few years.
I have never felt uncomfortable either walking around or driving on the island apart from English Harbour at the end of Race week!
St Johns is ok, watches can be bought at cheaper prices than the uk.
I am not into Scuba but apparently there is some good stuff there.
Jolly Beach or Jumby Bay are worth a visit funds depending, but there is a good range of places to stay.
Could you bring me back some Suzies Sauce and a new Wadadli T-Shirt!
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