Our Recent Visit to Fort James Beach

[MKellyUtah]

Dec. 5, 2019, our ship (Celebrity Silhouette) stopped in Antigua.  This was our 4th time in Antigua, earlier stops we had gone to Valley Church Beach once, and Turner's Beach twice.  Both were good beaches, with good facilities --- but a little crowded (especially when excursion catamarans would drop off their passengers), and both of those beaches has a major drop-off "shelf" that made getting out of the water a challenge.  The day prior to this latest Antigua visit, a cruise ship passenger suggested Fort James Beach.

 

We didn't get off our ship until about 10:00am, went directly to the chaotic taxi dispatch center halfway down the main area at the end of the pier.  As they often do, they tried to convince us to go somewhere other than the beach we wanted to go to, but we were firm about wanting to go to Fort James Beach and they found us a taxi to take us there.

 

The ride was about 10 mins, cost was $6pp+tip ($12 each way for the two of us.)  Driver dropped us off just outside Miller's by the Sea, a mostly open air restaurant/bar, and we paid & arranged for a time for the taxi to come back and get us.

 

We were directed to the beach and paid $ 20 for two lounge chairs & umbrella (we were actually underneath a wide, solid wooden cabana) about 30 feet from the water.  People were pretty well spread out on the beach, some back under natural shade on a grassy area.  It was a nice, soft sand beach ... I wore water shoes like I normally do, but unlike Turner Beach there were no rocks that I could see or feel as far as I could walk out.  The walk in and out of the water was very gradual and easy.  The day we were there the water was also pretty calm, just some small waves.  The view was terrific, just a cargo ship in view anchored far out.

 

A very polite waitress came out to see what we wanted to dink, and gave us a food menu from Miller's to look at (we both had a couple of drinks, decided not to eat despite a nice looking selection.)  Drink service was very quick & efficient

 

It was a very peaceful, relaxing beach, didn't have any vendors.  Also no visiting catamarans or motorized wave runners while we were there.

A very nice day at the beach.

 

We stayed a couple of hours, were able to shower off and use restroom / change rooms located just behind the beach (they were clean, nothing fancy, served the purpose.)  Our taxi driver was waiting for us at the designated time, and we were headed back to the ship.

 

I would definitely go to Fort James Beach again (and probably will on a cruise this November.)  Next time we would get there maybe a little earlier --- and stay a little longer, maybe have lunch at Miller's --- now that we know how close to the port it is and how pleasant the beach is.  

 

Lots of beaches on Antigua to choose from ... hope this helps & gives you another option.

 

 

[ggTexasGal]

Thank you for posting your information.  Fort St James Beach seems like a nice choice!

 

[Gershep]

Thanks for this review.

[AlohaLivin]

Thanks for that info. I had just been researching options and found this beach, then your info verified my thought this was a good option for our April 22 cruise. Thanks!

[kjenaz]

Aloha - We returned last week and in Antigua we used Glenmon for a tour, but he also provides very reasonable taxi service.  All around GREAT guy!

His website is:

 http://antiguaglenmontaxiandtours.com/

 

 

[AlohaLivin]

1 hour ago, kjenaz said:

Aloha - We returned last week and in Antigua we used Glenmon for a tour, but he also provides very reasonable taxi service.  All around GREAT guy!

His website is:

 http://antiguaglenmontaxiandtours.com/

 

 

 Great to know. Always better to get a first hand account.Thanks 😊👍🏼

Edited November 27, 2021 by AlohaLivin

[Moonglo]

We went there in February 2019 and they  took good care of us.  We had a lovely day on the beach and rented jet ski's which was a blast.  Great stop.