Antigua – the island with 365 beaches

Antigua, the island with 365 beaches, one for each day of the year, welcomed us with a haze. The claim of 365 is probably a PR stunt, but the island indeed has many hidden sandy coves. We were told that the haze is typical; it’s actually Sahara sand that gets blown over to Antigua depending on the wind conditions.

Our ship docked in St. John’s, the main town of the island. Compared to Philipsburg, the cruise port is significantly smaller and less touristy. The Quay Passages, all older warehouses, have been nicely refurbished and are now duty-free shops. As you venture further into the town, you get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the markets, experiencing the pure Caribbean everyday life. The island is quite hilly, so it’s worth exploring it with a taxi or an organized tour.

Our minibus (10 seats) first took us across the island to Shirley Heights. During the drive, we passed several charming small villages. From Shirley Heights, you can enjoy an absolutely fantastic panoramic view over English Harbor. Here in the quiet bay, the British Navy established a significant base in the 18th century. The bastion at Shirley Heights protected the harbor from potential attacks.

Thereafter, we continued to Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. Originally, this was the base of the fleet. The facility has since been beautifully renovated and is now used as an exclusive marina. The many old buildings have been transformed into hotels, restaurants, museums, and souvenir shops. While it does attract quite a few tourists, it is definitely worth a visit.

After this historical morning, “relaxing on the beach” was on the agenda for the afternoon. Although the island is said to have 365 beautiful beaches, I was somewhat disappointed by our beach. Not that it wasn’t nice, but it wasn’t exceptionally beautiful either.

I think Antigua conveys a real Caribbean feeling and historic English charm. Since there are many more bays to discover, I hope to be able to spend a relaxing afternoon on the island again and spend some time on one of the 365 beaches.