Neem View Guidebook
Sightseeing
It is often quiet in the week, with a just a few bathers from nearby hotels. Antiguan families come on weekends and during public holidays, with their picnics and stereos.
Not a lot bar swimming and sunning. If you’re with the family you will be thankful of the public toilets, baby-change facilities, showers, picnic tables and little playground.
The beach is quite a walk from Falmouth Harbour (over a hill), so you are probably best to get a taxi to drop you off. They may even come back to collect you later.
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Pigeon Point Beach
It is often quiet in the week, with a just a few bathers from nearby hotels. Antiguan families come on weekends and during public holidays, with their picnics and stereos.
Not a lot bar swimming and sunning. If you’re with the family you will be thankful of the public toilets, baby-change facilities, showers, picnic tables and little playground.
The beach is quite a walk from Falmouth Harbour (over a hill), so you are probably best to get a taxi to drop you off. They may even come back to collect you later.
A lovely arch of white sand overlooking waters dotted with yachts. This is a great spot for nature lovers as you might spot nesting turtles on the far corner of the beach and the snorkelling is good. Several walks start from here, including the steep, scenic hike to Shirley Heights for a fabulous view over English Harbour.
Scooter snorkelling lets you snorkel with a bit of motorised help and an underwater swim-through course has been installed to make it more fun. Walk round the point and you can explore the Pillars of Hercules, a dramatic rock formation created by the waves. Alternatively, take the path up the headland that leads you to Shirley Heights.
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Galleon Beach
A lovely arch of white sand overlooking waters dotted with yachts. This is a great spot for nature lovers as you might spot nesting turtles on the far corner of the beach and the snorkelling is good. Several walks start from here, including the steep, scenic hike to Shirley Heights for a fabulous view over English Harbour.
Scooter snorkelling lets you snorkel with a bit of motorised help and an underwater swim-through course has been installed to make it more fun. Walk round the point and you can explore the Pillars of Hercules, a dramatic rock formation created by the waves. Alternatively, take the path up the headland that leads you to Shirley Heights.
This lovely curve of light pink and white sand is found on the east coast of the island. A reef protects it from the full force of the Atlantic.
Half Moon Bay is certainly not "undiscovered", but it is often deserted. Island tours occasionally visit here and at the weekend the locals sometimes come, but often you'll have the place to yourself.
Nothing is organised on the beach – take your own mask and snorkel.
The beach is on a promontory on the east of the island, so it is quite a hike – around a 45-minute drive from St John’s. Head for Freetown and then drive east.
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Half Moon Bay
This lovely curve of light pink and white sand is found on the east coast of the island. A reef protects it from the full force of the Atlantic.
Half Moon Bay is certainly not "undiscovered", but it is often deserted. Island tours occasionally visit here and at the weekend the locals sometimes come, but often you'll have the place to yourself.
Nothing is organised on the beach – take your own mask and snorkel.
The beach is on a promontory on the east of the island, so it is quite a hike – around a 45-minute drive from St John’s. Head for Freetown and then drive east.
In the south-west corner of the island, the soft sandy stretch of Darkwood beach is in the Half Hyde Bay, opposite the Darkwood Lagoon. It is one of the few beaches on Antigua that can be easily accessed from the road and you can park your car a few feet away. Although it gets busy at weekends with families who come to use the Swash water park, it is usually quiet during the week.
Who goes?
Families and cruise ship passengers when a boat is in dock.
What is there to do?
The Swash water park is a giant inflatable obstacle course with a series of slippery slides, manned by trained and attentive staff. It is situated in the water, just off the beach. You can hire a lounger and umbrella for a few dollars.
Bars and bites
The Darkwood Beach Bar and Restaurant serves up plates of coconut shrimp and conch fritters to wash down with a cold beer or rum punch.
Getting there
Just a 30-minute drive from St John’s, you will spot the water park from the road just after you have passed Coco Beach. It's easy to get to by taxi, too, as the beach is so close to the road.
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Darkwood Beach
In the south-west corner of the island, the soft sandy stretch of Darkwood beach is in the Half Hyde Bay, opposite the Darkwood Lagoon. It is one of the few beaches on Antigua that can be easily accessed from the road and you can park your car a few feet away. Although it gets busy at weekends with families who come to use the Swash water park, it is usually quiet during the week.
Who goes?
Families and cruise ship passengers when a boat is in dock.
What is there to do?
The Swash water park is a giant inflatable obstacle course with a series of slippery slides, manned by trained and attentive staff. It is situated in the water, just off the beach. You can hire a lounger and umbrella for a few dollars.
Bars and bites
The Darkwood Beach Bar and Restaurant serves up plates of coconut shrimp and conch fritters to wash down with a cold beer or rum punch.
Getting there
Just a 30-minute drive from St John’s, you will spot the water park from the road just after you have passed Coco Beach. It's easy to get to by taxi, too, as the beach is so close to the road.
Shirley Heights is a restored military lookout and gun battery. The Lookout. This high point (about 490 ft.) affords a superb view of English and Falmouth Harbours, the best view in Antigua. The view is spectacular, especially at sunset and early evening when all of English Harbour is all lit up.
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Shirley Heights
Shirley Heights is a restored military lookout and gun battery. The Lookout. This high point (about 490 ft.) affords a superb view of English and Falmouth Harbours, the best view in Antigua. The view is spectacular, especially at sunset and early evening when all of English Harbour is all lit up.
Take a 10-min speedboat ride to a coral reef on the east of the island where you’ll encounter dozens of friendly rays congregating to suck fresh squid from you as you stand in the shallow blue water. Don a snorkel and swim among them.
Insider tip: The rays often like to lie in the sand so be careful where you put your feet while walking in the shallows. It is best to shuffle along rather than lifting your feet and putting them down again. Or take to the water and swim.
Contact: 00 1 268 562 7297; stingraycityantigua.com
Opening times: Daily, 10am to 6pm
Price: ££
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斯汀格雷城市安提瓜
Take a 10-min speedboat ride to a coral reef on the east of the island where you’ll encounter dozens of friendly rays congregating to suck fresh squid from you as you stand in the shallow blue water. Don a snorkel and swim among them.
Insider tip: The rays often like to lie in the sand so be careful where you put your feet while walking in the shallows. It is best to shuffle along rather than lifting your feet and putting them down again. Or take to the water and swim.
Contact: 00 1 268 562 7297; stingraycityantigua.com
Opening times: Daily, 10am to 6pm
Price: ££
We must not forget that these beautiful islands were not always about pleasure-seeking, and a visit to Betty Hope’s Sugar Plantation will give you a good perspective on the past. This was the island’s first large-scale sugar plantation, built in about 1650. It ran for nearly 300 years, first with slave labour and later run by locals.
Insider tip: One of the sugar mills has been restored, complete with sails, and a small interpretation centre tells the history of sugar production on the island (with a map of the 112 remaining mills). However, you will get more out of a visit if you come with a local guide who will be able to bring the history to life.
Contact: Pares Village, St. John’s; 00 1 268 462 1469
Opening times: Daily, 10am-4pm
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Betty's Hope
We must not forget that these beautiful islands were not always about pleasure-seeking, and a visit to Betty Hope’s Sugar Plantation will give you a good perspective on the past. This was the island’s first large-scale sugar plantation, built in about 1650. It ran for nearly 300 years, first with slave labour and later run by locals.
Insider tip: One of the sugar mills has been restored, complete with sails, and a small interpretation centre tells the history of sugar production on the island (with a map of the 112 remaining mills). However, you will get more out of a visit if you come with a local guide who will be able to bring the history to life.
Contact: Pares Village, St. John’s; 00 1 268 462 1469
Opening times: Daily, 10am-4pm
Food scene
The archetypal Caribbean beach for the archetypal Caribbean island. Dickenson Bay is a mile of west-facing golden sand on which hotels stand shoulder to shoulder. It is lively with sports and beach bars and usually heaving with people. The extension of Dickenson Bay to the south (officially called Runaway Bay), is also a lovely stretch of sand and much quieter.
Who goes?
Anyone and everyone. The hotel guests are already there and it is a popular beach for accommodation inland.
What is there to do?
Tony’s Watersports and Bar (00 1 268 462 6326) offers loungers for rent and plenty of activities, including glass-bottom boat trips, banana boat rides and jet skiing.
Bars and bites
Hot pink and right on the sand, Ana’s on the Beach (00 1 268 562 8562) is the main beach bar on Dickenson Bay. There are cabanas and daybeds to lounge on with a cocktail, and a terrace with dining tables and parasols for their Mediterranean-style menu. You can get a drink or a good meal at Coconut Grove (00 1 268 462 1538), named after the tall palms that grow through the roof. Tony’s Watersports and Bar (see above) offers hearty Caribbean and international cuisine.
Getting there
If you are not staying on the beach then access by public transport is possible, but the few buses that serve this stretch of coastline drop you a few hundred yards from the shore. Taxis will take you right to the beach.
Dickenson Bay Beach
The archetypal Caribbean beach for the archetypal Caribbean island. Dickenson Bay is a mile of west-facing golden sand on which hotels stand shoulder to shoulder. It is lively with sports and beach bars and usually heaving with people. The extension of Dickenson Bay to the south (officially called Runaway Bay), is also a lovely stretch of sand and much quieter.
Who goes?
Anyone and everyone. The hotel guests are already there and it is a popular beach for accommodation inland.
What is there to do?
Tony’s Watersports and Bar (00 1 268 462 6326) offers loungers for rent and plenty of activities, including glass-bottom boat trips, banana boat rides and jet skiing.
Bars and bites
Hot pink and right on the sand, Ana’s on the Beach (00 1 268 562 8562) is the main beach bar on Dickenson Bay. There are cabanas and daybeds to lounge on with a cocktail, and a terrace with dining tables and parasols for their Mediterranean-style menu. You can get a drink or a good meal at Coconut Grove (00 1 268 462 1538), named after the tall palms that grow through the roof. Tony’s Watersports and Bar (see above) offers hearty Caribbean and international cuisine.
Getting there
If you are not staying on the beach then access by public transport is possible, but the few buses that serve this stretch of coastline drop you a few hundred yards from the shore. Taxis will take you right to the beach.
When you are sitting on this airy terrace high above English Harbour with the twinkling lights of yachts bobbing in the bay below, you’d be forgiven for forgetting you were in the Caribbean and thinking that you were, perhaps, on the Amalfi Coast instead. The illusion is enhanced by the glass of chianti in your hand and the homemade spinach and ricotta ravioli on your fork. It is only when the scent of tropical planting wafts in from the surrounding 19 acres of national park and you come to the Antigua black pineapple crepes on the dessert menu that you are reminded of where you are.
Contact: 00 1 268 460 1014; theinnantigua.com/dining/terrace-restaurant
Reservations: Recommended
Prices: ££
Best table: Go for the table in the little cabana on the edge of the former fort walls to enjoy the sunset views in privacy
Inn At English Harbour
When you are sitting on this airy terrace high above English Harbour with the twinkling lights of yachts bobbing in the bay below, you’d be forgiven for forgetting you were in the Caribbean and thinking that you were, perhaps, on the Amalfi Coast instead. The illusion is enhanced by the glass of chianti in your hand and the homemade spinach and ricotta ravioli on your fork. It is only when the scent of tropical planting wafts in from the surrounding 19 acres of national park and you come to the Antigua black pineapple crepes on the dessert menu that you are reminded of where you are.
Contact: 00 1 268 460 1014; theinnantigua.com/dining/terrace-restaurant
Reservations: Recommended
Prices: ££
Best table: Go for the table in the little cabana on the edge of the former fort walls to enjoy the sunset views in privacy
Even from the outside this place looks enticing, with a white picket fence and street-side tables under parasols. Inside it’s even more characterful, with bright painted murals and a buzzy atmosphere brought in by the crowd of yachties, tourists and locals who come to fill up on comforting plates of surf and turf and mashed potato, or hunks of beer-battered catch of the day chosen from a giant chalkboard menu. There’s nothing fancy in the presentation but the food is full of flavour (mainly Creole, but also, perhaps, Thai or Italian).
Contact: 00 1 268 562 3534;
Reservations: Recommended
Prices: ££
Best table: Try for a table outside as it can get impossibly hot indoors and there’s no air conditioning
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Trappas
Dockyard DriveEven from the outside this place looks enticing, with a white picket fence and street-side tables under parasols. Inside it’s even more characterful, with bright painted murals and a buzzy atmosphere brought in by the crowd of yachties, tourists and locals who come to fill up on comforting plates of surf and turf and mashed potato, or hunks of beer-battered catch of the day chosen from a giant chalkboard menu. There’s nothing fancy in the presentation but the food is full of flavour (mainly Creole, but also, perhaps, Thai or Italian).
Contact: 00 1 268 562 3534;
Reservations: Recommended
Prices: ££
Best table: Try for a table outside as it can get impossibly hot indoors and there’s no air conditioning
Le Bistro
When Le Bistro opened in 1981 it was the first French restaurant on the island, and it has since retained its reputation for sophisticated European-style dining in an unmistakably Antiguan setting. The restaurant is set inland in a traditional house, painted orange with bright blue shutters and large verandah surrounded by tropical plants. Order classic dishes such as onion soup with gratin croutons, warm goat’s cheese salad or duck a’l orange and pair with a selection of vintage wines or champagne. Desserts are particularly memorable –try the crepes suzette flambéd at your table.
Contact: 00 1 268 462 3881; lebistroantigua.com
Reservations: Essential
Prices: £££
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Le Bistro
Le Bistro
When Le Bistro opened in 1981 it was the first French restaurant on the island, and it has since retained its reputation for sophisticated European-style dining in an unmistakably Antiguan setting. The restaurant is set inland in a traditional house, painted orange with bright blue shutters and large verandah surrounded by tropical plants. Order classic dishes such as onion soup with gratin croutons, warm goat’s cheese salad or duck a’l orange and pair with a selection of vintage wines or champagne. Desserts are particularly memorable –try the crepes suzette flambéd at your table.
Contact: 00 1 268 462 3881; lebistroantigua.com
Reservations: Essential
Prices: £££
Fancy an Antiguan lobster slathered in garlic butter? Or perhaps a whole grilled red snapper? Either way you have to love fish to love Papa Zouk, which is among the best fish restaurants on the island. Its small and characterful with lobster pots strung from the ceiling, gingham tablecloths and hand-painted murals. You might leave as a rum connoisseur as you have more than 250 labels at your disposal at the bright painted bar. You won’t find printed menus and it’s a cash-only place, but it’s a great place to soak up some local atmosphere.
Contact: 00 1 268 464 6044;
Reservations: Recommended
Prices: ££
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Papa Zouk
Dickenson Bay StreetFancy an Antiguan lobster slathered in garlic butter? Or perhaps a whole grilled red snapper? Either way you have to love fish to love Papa Zouk, which is among the best fish restaurants on the island. Its small and characterful with lobster pots strung from the ceiling, gingham tablecloths and hand-painted murals. You might leave as a rum connoisseur as you have more than 250 labels at your disposal at the bright painted bar. You won’t find printed menus and it’s a cash-only place, but it’s a great place to soak up some local atmosphere.
Contact: 00 1 268 464 6044;
Reservations: Recommended
Prices: ££
Awesome View and Good food
This stylish restaurant is built on decked platforms on a cliff edge looking directly out to the brilliant blue of the sea. Go for lazy lunches of tapas-style food, such as tuna tartare and sticky pork, and then relax in one of the day beds or take a dip in the plunge pool. As the day draws to a close, order off their G&T menu and watch the drama in the sky as the sun sets. Take your table in a secluded pavilion and work your way through the five-course tasting menu of gourmet ingredients such as foie gras and lobster.
Contact: 00 1 268 464 5283; sheer-rocks.com
Reservations: Essential
Prices: £££
Best table: Phone and book a private pavilion on the water’s edge
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Sheer Rocks
This stylish restaurant is built on decked platforms on a cliff edge looking directly out to the brilliant blue of the sea. Go for lazy lunches of tapas-style food, such as tuna tartare and sticky pork, and then relax in one of the day beds or take a dip in the plunge pool. As the day draws to a close, order off their G&T menu and watch the drama in the sky as the sun sets. Take your table in a secluded pavilion and work your way through the five-course tasting menu of gourmet ingredients such as foie gras and lobster.
Contact: 00 1 268 464 5283; sheer-rocks.com
Reservations: Essential
Prices: £££
Best table: Phone and book a private pavilion on the water’s edge
Jacqui O’s Beach House
A pretty spot right on the sands of Love Beach with views out to Montserrat. The chic styling picks up the brilliant pink of the bougainvillea and throws it down onto sofas and stenciling, which is offset by whitewashed clapboard walls. The music is Buddha-Bar-esque and this is where the cool cats hang out. Try ginger crab salad with wasabi mayo to start, followed, perhaps by the lobster medallions with white chocolate and pear. It’s a daring combination, but it works. You can rent one of their oversized circular loungers for U$10 (£8) if you want to relax after lunch.
Contact: 00 1 268 562 2218; facebook.com
Reservations: Essential
Prices: £££
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Jacqui O's
Jacqui O’s Beach House
A pretty spot right on the sands of Love Beach with views out to Montserrat. The chic styling picks up the brilliant pink of the bougainvillea and throws it down onto sofas and stenciling, which is offset by whitewashed clapboard walls. The music is Buddha-Bar-esque and this is where the cool cats hang out. Try ginger crab salad with wasabi mayo to start, followed, perhaps by the lobster medallions with white chocolate and pear. It’s a daring combination, but it works. You can rent one of their oversized circular loungers for U$10 (£8) if you want to relax after lunch.
Contact: 00 1 268 562 2218; facebook.com
Reservations: Essential
Prices: £££
The reason they chose this location is easy to understand. A spectacular view over English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour greets your eyes, showing you the scene that is often used as the iconic image of Antigua. A visit to Shirley Heights is considered one of the must do events in Antigua. The buildings have been adapted to function as a restaurant and bar and its famous Sunday evening party is always a hit.
Drive up to Shirley Heights and stroll around the old military fortifications. You can view breathtaking scenic landscapes at 360 degrees.
This military complex, within a short distance of Nelson’s Dockyard, is not named after the fairer sex, but after Sir Thomas Shirley, Governor of the Leeward Islands, who strengthened Antigua’s defenses in 1781. Britain had lost all her West Indian colonies (including North America) at this time except Antigua and Barbados. Much effort, therefore, was put into Antigua’s defenses, mainly because of the island’s great sugar producing value and the important Dockyard.
The view from Shirley Heights is a perfect setting to watch a sunset. If you watch closely for that split second as the sun sets behind the ocean, you may see that moment a green jet of light covers the horizon known as the Green Flash and is something that only the luckiest viewers and photographers have ever managed to capture on camera or in their memories.
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Shirley Heights
The reason they chose this location is easy to understand. A spectacular view over English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour greets your eyes, showing you the scene that is often used as the iconic image of Antigua. A visit to Shirley Heights is considered one of the must do events in Antigua. The buildings have been adapted to function as a restaurant and bar and its famous Sunday evening party is always a hit.
Drive up to Shirley Heights and stroll around the old military fortifications. You can view breathtaking scenic landscapes at 360 degrees.
This military complex, within a short distance of Nelson’s Dockyard, is not named after the fairer sex, but after Sir Thomas Shirley, Governor of the Leeward Islands, who strengthened Antigua’s defenses in 1781. Britain had lost all her West Indian colonies (including North America) at this time except Antigua and Barbados. Much effort, therefore, was put into Antigua’s defenses, mainly because of the island’s great sugar producing value and the important Dockyard.
The view from Shirley Heights is a perfect setting to watch a sunset. If you watch closely for that split second as the sun sets behind the ocean, you may see that moment a green jet of light covers the horizon known as the Green Flash and is something that only the luckiest viewers and photographers have ever managed to capture on camera or in their memories.
Neighborhoods
The town is located in the south of the island, at the end of Falmouth Harbour.
A road links Falmouth with the nearby larger town of Liberta inland to the north.
English Harbour is adjacent to Falmouth Harbour to the east.
Falmouth
The town is located in the south of the island, at the end of Falmouth Harbour.
A road links Falmouth with the nearby larger town of Liberta inland to the north.
English Harbour is adjacent to Falmouth Harbour to the east.
English Harbour, Antigua's graceful and evocative historic district, is focused on the fifteen square miles of Nelson's Dockyard National Park. Developed as a base for the British Navy in the great age of sail, the harbour served as the headquarters of the fleet of the Leeward Islands during the turbulent years of the late 18th century. Although the dockyard was greatly expanded at that time by Horatio Nelson, it was gradually abandoned in the nineteenth century and was closed in 1889. Today Nelson's Dockyard has been completely restored, and it is now the only Georgian dockyard in the world.
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English Harbour
English Harbour, Antigua's graceful and evocative historic district, is focused on the fifteen square miles of Nelson's Dockyard National Park. Developed as a base for the British Navy in the great age of sail, the harbour served as the headquarters of the fleet of the Leeward Islands during the turbulent years of the late 18th century. Although the dockyard was greatly expanded at that time by Horatio Nelson, it was gradually abandoned in the nineteenth century and was closed in 1889. Today Nelson's Dockyard has been completely restored, and it is now the only Georgian dockyard in the world.
Shopping
The island’s best shopping is in the capital St John’s, where you can get duty-free deals in the jewellery shops and clothing stores of Heritage Quay (remember to bring your return ticket). The adjacent Redcliffe Quay is the place for souvenirs from several art and gift shops. Alternatively, shop from the local vendors on St Mary’s Street, who’ll sell you handmade jewellery, clothing and musical instruments.
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Heritage Quay
High StreetThe island’s best shopping is in the capital St John’s, where you can get duty-free deals in the jewellery shops and clothing stores of Heritage Quay (remember to bring your return ticket). The adjacent Redcliffe Quay is the place for souvenirs from several art and gift shops. Alternatively, shop from the local vendors on St Mary’s Street, who’ll sell you handmade jewellery, clothing and musical instruments.
Supermaret
Insider tip: To furnish your fridge at home with the taste of Antigua ask a taxi driver to take you to Epicurean Fine Foods where you can buy pepper sauce, salt fish, herbal tea and bottles of rum to take home at local prices.
Contact: 00 1 268 484 5400; epicureanantigua.com
Opening times: Daily, 7am-9pm
Price: £
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Epicurean Fine Foods & Pharmacy
Epicurean DriveInsider tip: To furnish your fridge at home with the taste of Antigua ask a taxi driver to take you to Epicurean Fine Foods where you can buy pepper sauce, salt fish, herbal tea and bottles of rum to take home at local prices.
Contact: 00 1 268 484 5400; epicureanantigua.com
Opening times: Daily, 7am-9pm
Price: £
The Covent Garden
Dockyard DriveNight Life
Abracadabra
Dockyard DriveGreat food and night life, with live band and music. Great for all alike