Antigua?

[calij11]

What would you say is the best thing to do on Antigua? In comparison to the rest of the islands, is it worth it to take a tour of the isalnd or just hang out on the beach, snorkel and relax? Thanks.

[Zeno]

What would you say is the best thing to do on Antigua? In comparison to the rest of the islands, is it worth it to take a tour of the isalnd or just hang out on the beach, snorkel and relax? Thanks.

It depends on your personal interests. Antigua has a number of interesting (and scenic) historical sites (Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights, The Blockhouse, Dow's Hill Interpretation Centre). A good tour of those will take about 3 hours.
But if historical sites and viewpoints don't interest you, then relaxing on the beach is fine.
Personally we loved our tour and arranged to have a beach drop-off at the end of it.

[Cruisin' Patty]

Who did you use for your tour?

[Zeno]

We used Lawrence of Antigua and were very satisfied with him. He really tries to make the experience interesting and enjoyable and at the historic sites, he makes sure that you take advantage of all that is offered (like any guided tours). Where there is no official guided tour, he takes you around himself.
If you want more info his website is:
www.lawrenceofantigua.com

[Grumpy8]

What would you say is the best thing to do on Antigua? In comparison to the rest of the islands, is it worth it to take a tour of the isalnd or just hang out on the beach, snorkel and relax? Thanks.

If you never been to Antigua I would take a tour of it. You can alway do a beach later in the day. They have 365 beaches to choose from.

[calij11]

Which beach would you recommend? I was thinking about doing snorkeling at Long Bay. But now I just read on the front page that "the best beach" for snorkeling is Half Moon Bay. We will be doing an excursion that last until 12. And Half Moon Bay is on the other side of the island. Would it be worth it to go over there or just stick with Long Bay, or try a better beach for snorkeling that you know about? Thanks.

[Grumpy8]

Which beach would you recommend? I was thinking about doing snorkeling at Long Bay. But now I just read on the front page that "the best beach" for snorkeling is Half Moon Bay. We will be doing an excursion that last until 12. And Half Moon Bay is on the other side of the island. Would it be worth it to go over there or just stick with Long Bay, or try a better beach for snorkeling that you know about? Thanks.

Well I hve been to Turners Beach and to Long Beach. I had a little better snorkeling at Long. But the beach at Turners was better. So it's a wash. If you use Lawrence as you guide. He likes to take his people to Turners because of the location is getting you back to the ship. So you can spend a little more time at Turner which has a restaurant and changing area.
So your call on what to do and you can email me if you need more info on Lawrence.

[Learning Conformity]

My vote is all for the Montserrat volcano helicopter tour, which also cruises along Antigua's coast on the way back:
http://images9.fotki.com/v164/photos/5/564901/2170466/e2148montserratcrackedlavaflow-vi.jpg?500375
lava flow
http://images9.fotki.com/v164/photos/5/564901/2170466/ruise2157montserratvolcanodome-vi.jpg?
up close in the volcano dome
http://images6.fotki.com/v161/photos/5/564901/2170466/uaresortandoceanfromhelicopter-vi.jpg?
Antigua's coast

and after, go to Runaway Bay beach:

http://images9.fotki.com/v163/photos/5/564901/2170419/nawaybeachBush2makingusbaskets-1-vi.jpg?
"Bush 1" weaving us one of his magnificent creations on the beach
http://images6.fotki.com/v161/photos/5/564901/2170419/igosinfrontof17thcentsugarmill-vi.jpg?500375
horseback riding (beer in hand) at the remains of a 17th century sugar mill, after this pic, we RACED our horses on Runaway Bay beach (I won, LOL)

[Cruisin' Patty]

[QUOTE=Learning Conformity]My vote is all for the Montserrat volcano helicopter tour, which also cruises along Antigua's coast on the way back:
http://images9.fotki.com/v164/photos/5/564901/2170466/e2148montserratcrackedlavaflow-vi.jpg?500375
lava flow
http://images9.fotki.com/v164/photos/5/564901/2170466/ruise2157montserratvolcanodome-vi.jpg?
up close in the volcano dome
http://images6.fotki.com/v161/photos/5/564901/2170466/uaresortandoceanfromhelicopter-vi.jpg?
Antigua's coast

and after, go to Runaway Bay beach:

How much was the helicopter flight?

[love2vacation]

Antigua and St. Lucia were our favorite ports on our last cruise. Antigua has many interesting things to see, especially if you like history.
Nelson's dockyard, Shirley Heights, and we stopped at Darkwood Beach. We did a taxi tour and hired it right at the end of the dock.

Note there is not much shade at this beach, and it is not commercialized at all but just beautiful. Each incoming wave brings dozens of various kinds of shells. It is wonderful.

www.jlfcruise06.dell.shutterfly.com and the Antigua album for pictures of the beach.

[love2vacation]

Here is a picture of Darkwood Beach. I couldn't post it before because I wasn't at home!http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b6dd02b3127cce9854802795ed00000027108AYuWrdm1atO

[nomie]

Judi,thanks so much for the link to your great pictures. I will be going to many of the same ports in Oct of this year and next year will be on the Serenade. Great pics!

[DancerOT]

We went on Antigua Paddles and had a fantastic time. The whole event was incredibly relaxing and very educational. Jennie's son and fiance were our tour guides and they did a fantastic job. I would og again in a heartbeat!

[love2vacation]

Judi,thanks so much for the link to your great pictures. I will be going to many of the same ports in Oct of this year and next year will be on the Serenade. Great pics!

Nomie,
We loved the Serenade and this ITN. We are thinking of repeating in 08.
Have GREAT trip!!:D

[zydecocruiser]

I wonder if there is more than one of those sugar mills? You see one or more from Antigua Adventures Eco-tour which gets my vote...


http://www.zydecocruiser.com/antadv/qVFpwLUcFrGJ3K8NwVj6QMoqcsQoF3j90300.jpg

Here are some pics:
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/antigua_adventures.htm

[jagoffee]

Excellent pictures. Thank you nfor posting them.

[love2vacation]

Great pictures of the Eco Tour.

I guess we will have to do the Eco Tour next time, since we did the historical tour last time.
Thanks for sharing a different view of Antigua!

[Fran0521]

[QUOTE=Cruisin' Patty][QUOTE=Learning Conformity]My vote is all for the Montserrat volcano helicopter tour, which also cruises along Antigua's coast on the way back:


Hi crusin Patty ...the pictures are beautiful.....we are going to be in Antigua in November.....how and where did you get in touch with the helicopter people for this ....it's something we may really be interested in......

Thanks

[Cruisin' Patty]

Info on the helicopter tour please. Cost, web site, where to catch it, etc.

[deborah grimes]

Zydecocruiser, You sold me on this tour! We plan a cruise in Nov. 2007 with a group of family and friends, and we will be on the ship you was on the Liberty.:D I need to now what site do you go to to get some info on this tour? Your pixs was wounderful. I had to send the site to all in our party that is going! Thanks for your help. DEB

[ScubaJim]

We are sailing on the NCL Jewel and decided on the Antigua Beach Break. It is 5 hours of sun beach and a bar-bq lunch.

[zydecocruiser]

Zydecocruiser, You sold me on this tour! We plan a cruise in Nov. 2007 with a group of family and friends, and we will be on the ship you was on the Liberty.:D I need to now what site do you go to to get some info on this tour? Your pixs was wounderful. I had to send the site to all in our party that is going! Thanks for your help. DEB

Oops. Sorry - just saw you post - it is

http://www.adventureantigua.com/