What’s there to do on Antigua?
Most tourists are sun worshippers visiting Antigua to enjoy one or more of their 365 beaches. Now, more are discovering the other activities found on this lush island. Both water sports enthusiasts and land lovers will revel in the many activities found in Antigua:
Several new activities are popular in Antigua. Stingray City located in Seatons is the natural habitat of the majestic stingray. These beautiful creatures living in their natural habitat are waiting to meet you. Trained guides will teach you about the stingrays and their habitat.
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Image courtesy of Melanie Etherington
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Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tours is the latest adrenaline rush activity to hit the island. The tour begins in the middle of Antigua’s rainforest. A suspension bridge over the water leads to the start of the 9 zip lines with the longest being 300 feet and the highest 350 feet suspended over the gorge in Fig Tree Drive. There are 9 challenges and the famous Stairway to Heaven leading to the Rainforest Café. Young and old enjoy this incredible experience. Zipline Tours is popular with groups and for team building for corporate clients.
Being a water sports paradise, there are a myriad of boating excursions from sunset cocktail cruises to eco tours. One of these tours, Adventure Antigua, teaches about the ecology and sea life of Antigua. Visit the pristine waterways of North Sound and the out islands. Snorkel amongst the tranquil reef system. Eli Fuller, a life-long resident of Antigua, has the expertise and the staff to create a perfect day on and under the water.
In 1995, a dormant volcano came to life on the neighboring island of Montserrat. Whilst the eruption of Soufriere has forever changed the landscape of the island, 
life has resumed and now it is the perfect time to visit this Emerald Isle to tour the area and learn about this natural wonder. Air service is now available. Come see breathtaking views of the volcano and the world’s newest growing mountain from a safe vantage point. Collect samples of volcanic material and visit other places of interest including the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. All tours are conducted by trained and experienced tour guides.
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Image courtesy of Mark Harrold
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Green Castle Megaliths are rock formations that are either ancient man-made megaliths or natural rock formations. Some compare the megaliths to the Caribbean’s answer to Stonehenge. Green Castle Hill provides an amazing panoramic view of the west coast and the triangular shaped isolated hills of the Central Plain. The slopes of Green Castle Hill are home to unusual standing rock formations referred to by Antiguans as megaliths. There is much speculation and mystery as to the origin of these rocks but they are clearly associated with a pre-Columbian site. Numerous remains have been found at the site and include shellfish, pottery and a variety of stone artifacts. The adventurous will enjoy making the trek to the top of Green Castle Hill and from there enjoy the experience of a lifetime.
The Museum of Antigua & Barbuda was opened in 1985 and is operated by the Historical & Archaeological Society, a private non-profit organization. The exhibits, which interpret the story of Antigua from its geological birth to political independence, are placed in the old St. John’s Court House of 1750, a very historic building. Today, it is indeed a fine setting for an interpretive museum and is an excellent example of adaptive use for the oldest building of the capital city.
Collecting is central to the mission of the Museum. It acquires objects and specimens by field collecting, gifts, loans, and exchanges and welcomes input from all those who are interested in preserving and expressing the island’s heritage. Other objectives are education and research of the nation’s heritage. It presents to visitors an overview of the island’s history and natural history. There is a fine reference library and there are many computer databases totaling 25,000 records, available for quick reference.
Some of the Museum’s programs include an education program for Antigua and Barbuda’s schoolchildren, providing special lectures and the organization of monthly field trips to historic sites. Cultural evenings are held for the general public, and a newsletter is distributed to the Society’s members. The Museum has something for everyone.
The Dockyard Museum interprets the story of Antigua’s famous English Harbour. The harbour was known to be first used in 1671 as a hurricane shelter and for the act of careening warships of the Royal British Navy.
It was not until 1725 that the first buildings were erected for maintaining British ships on the West Indies Station. The museum tells the story of how the dockyard was built, its purpose, as well as the social conditions encountered by the people who worked and toiled in this ancient naval establishment.
A fine figurehead welcomes visitors to the museum. Also on display are ship models, tools, instruments and excavated artifacts from the naval hospital and other dockyard buildings of the sailing ship days. There is an interesting case of Nelson memorabilia which contains the famous admiral’s telescope and other items. A story is still told to the present day of the yard’s restoration from the 1930s and of the return of the sailing ships in the 1950s in the form of cruising and charter yachts.
The Dockyard and museums have been restored to their former beauty and greatness much to the thanks of the late great Desmond Nicholson. To learn more, click on http://www.antiguamuseums.org/nelsonsdockyard.htm.
Other cultural and historic sites to visit include Betty’s Hope, a semi restored sugar plantation located near Pares Village. It is mostly in ruins, but some buildings have been restored. Throughout its 300 year history, Betty’s Hope played a prominent role in Antigua and Barbuda’s history and influenced the lives of many generations of Antiguans. The project was initiated to preserve this heritage site for study and interpretation of the colonial sugar era for the benefit of West Indians and visitors.
Windsurf Antigua is a mobile operation based at Jabberwock Beach. Located on a beautiful white sandy beach facing the trade winds on the island’s northeast coast, they are just five minute’s from the airport. Antigua’s conditions are suitable for beginners and advanced sailors. Equipment is rigged and ready at the waters edge. On-shore wind averages 12-18 knots. Antiguan Patrick Scales has been an avid windsurfer for 25 years and offers instruction.
