Heidi BucoloAntigua, located in the West Indies, is the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. It is approximately 14 miles long by 11 miles wide and is primarily English-speaking. Its capital of Saint John’s, located in the northwest region of the island, is a popular cruise ship destination in the southern Caribbean. If your next cruise is stopping there, you will want to check out our list of the best things to do in Antigua so you can make the most of your time at this port of call.
The 7 Best Things to Do in Antigua on a Cruise (2025)
1. Visit Stingray City
A trip to Antigua would not be complete without swimming with stingrays. The village of Seatons is a short ride from the cruise pier and the base camp of Antigua’s Stingray City. After a safety briefing, you will be provided with snorkel equipment and will embark on a boat ride to Barge Reef where you will be able to interact with these friendly Southern Stingrays that are native to this area.
Here, you will have time to pet or even feed these creatures while also enjoying the beautiful coral reef. This tour is great for cruisers of all ages. Those who cannot swim or would prefer to stay in shallow waters can wade around the three-foot deep area while playing with the stingrays, and those who want to be a bit more adventurous can snorkel in the eight-foot deep area. Either way, Stingray City Antigua definitely makes a great cruise excursion.
Tour Duration: 2-3 hours
Price: The Stingray and Snorkel experience costs $65 per person
Best For: Families and individuals who love water and marine life
More information: Stingray City Antigua
2. Spend the day kayaking and snorkeling
Check out the views above and below the water during a kayaking and snorkeling eco adventure. Your group will head to Cades Bay, where you’ll set out on a kayak through lush mangroves filled with birds and marine animals. Following the serene paddle, your tour guide will lead you to a secluded beach where you’ll take a peek below the surface and snorkel over a beautiful coral reef. The adventure concludes with lunch from a local restaurant on the beach and a round (or two!) of rum punch.
Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Price Range: $100-$140 per person
Best For: Those who love being on (and in!) the water
Sample Tour: Antigua Kayak, Snorkel, and Beach
3. Be Adventurous on a Cruise around the Island
While visiting Antigua, let loose and book an excursion with Adventure Antigua. This company offers three popular tours that will allow you to explore some of the natural wonders of the island that are only accessible by boat. The popular Eco Tour focuses on the history and ecology of the area, allowing you to experience the flora and fauna, walk a nature trail, snorkel, and marvel at Hell’s Gate while taking a dip in the natural jacuzzi.
If you really want to be extreme, then book the Xtreme Circumnav tour. With this excursion, you will jet off by speed boat to explore the island, making multiple stops during the 50 mile loop including Stingray City, Green Island, Nelson’s Dockyard, and Rendezvous Bay.
The third tour, Adventure Islands, is new. It includes an exploration of Hell’s Gate, as well as time to explore the private Laviscount Island — which is filled with history and wildlife including giant tortoises.
Pricing: Eco-Tour: $143; Adventure Islands: $198; Xtreme Circumnav: $221
Best For: Those who want an overview of many natural highlights of Antigua through a local tour company
More information: Adventure Antigua
4. Take a scenic hike
Get your heart rate up and enjoy a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site with this scenic hike. Your expert local guide will lead you on an adventure over forest trails and amongst large boulders to view sites like the Pillars of Hercules, which sits at the mouth of the English Harbour. The Pillars of Hercules is a natural formation of limestone rocks that has been carved into unique columns by years of sea, wind, and rain. The adventure continues to the top of the island with a visit to the 18th-century Nelson’s Dockyard, which is home to the ruins of the Clarence House and the Dockyard Museum. You’ll also have an opportunity to see the 18th-century Fort Berkeley.
Tour Duration: 3.5-4 hours
Price: $129 per person
Best For: Visitors of all ages who want to take in beautiful views of nature (no hiking experience is needed!)
Sample Tour: Hike to Pillars of Hercules
5. Take Flight in a Helicopter
Both cruise lines and private tour companies offer helicopter excursions around Antigua. With a helicopter tour of the island, you will be surrounded by dramatic views of the crystal-clear waters, historic sites including English Harbour and Shirley’s Heights Lookout, and the beautiful beaches and coastline. Most of these tours include 20-30 minutes of flight time.
One of the most popular helicopter tours in Antigua is a trip to the nearby island of Montserrat. The Soufriere Hills Volcano located on the island rises 3,000 feet above sea level and had been dormant for many years until it rumbled to life again in 1995. With subsequent eruptions destroying large areas of the island, they have been deemed an “exclusion zone” and are off limits to habitation and ground transportation. So, the best way to see this volcano is, of course, by helicopter.
During this 45-50 minute flight, you will also get to see Montserrat’s former capital, Plymouth, which is now buried under as much as 40 feet of ash, and the abandoned W.H. Bramble Airport that was destroyed by an eruption in 1997.
Tour Duration: Approximately 15-45 minutes of flight time
Price Range: $130-$340 per person
Best For: Adventurous visitors who want to explore through a bird’s eye view
More information: CalvinAir Helicopters and Blue Harbour Helicopters
6. Make it a Beach Day
On an island that boasts 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, a beach day has to be one of the best things to do in Antigua on a cruise. With so many options, how does one decide?
Valley Church Beach, a popular choice among cruisers, is located about 15 minutes from the pier. Here, you can rent chairs and umbrellas, enjoy some snacks and beverages, and take advantage of free WiFi while relaxing on this beautiful beach.
Dickenson Bay is also located a short distance from the cruise pier and has plenty of gorgeous beaches, resort hotels, restaurants, bars, and water sport activities sure to please everyone. If you want a bit more peace and quiet, try venturing a mile further south to Runaway Bay.
These are just a few options but other popular choices include Pigeon Point and Galleon Beach located within walking distance from Nelson’s Dockyard, Rendezvous Bay, Millers Beach at Fort Bay, Turners Beach, Darkwood Beach, and Half Moon Bay. Everyone seems to have their own “favorite” beach in Antigua, so we suggest doing a bit of research on this short list to pick the one that is best suited for you.
Tour Duration: 3-4 hours
Price Range: $55-$70 per person
Best For: Those looking for a relaxing day enjoying the sand and surf
Sample Tour: Classic Beach Day
7. Step Back in Time with a Historical Tour
A stop in Antigua would not be complete without a visit to some of the historic sites on the island. An Antigua highlights tour will include notable attractions and vantage points like the Dow Hill Interpretation Center, the Blockhouse, Shirley Heights, and Nelson’s Dockyard.
Nelson’s Dockyard is the largest of Antigua’s National Parks and is still used today as a working dockyard. While visiting, be sure to check out the Dockyard Museum. Shirley Heights is a restored military lookout point and gun battery that offers amazing 360 degree vistas of the island and English Harbour.
If you want to explore a bit further, head towards the east coast of Antigua to experience Betty’s Hope, the island’s oldest sugar mill plantation. While there, you will be able to capture some great photos of the historic remnants including 2 stone sugar mills.
Devil’s Bridge is also located on the east side of the island. Folklore claims that this “bridge” got its name because many slaves committed suicide here and the devil claimed their souls. This natural rock formation is a popular tourist attraction, but be aware that the limestone rock is slippery and the waters are very rough, so walking onto the bridge is not advised.
Tour Duration: 3.5-5.5 hours
Price Range: $90-$180 per person
Best For: Guests of all ages interested in the history of Antigua
Sample Tour: Antigua Exclusive History and Culture Tour
Antigua Frequently Asked Questions
Where do cruise ships dock in Antigua?
Cruise ships dock right in the heart of Saint John’s at one of two cruise piers that extend into Deepwater Harbour. Located adjacent to each other, cruise visitors coming from either pier can easily walk right off the dock and into the downtown area.
How long do cruise ships typically stay in Antigua?
Cruise ships typically dock in Antigua for 9-10 hours, providing plenty of time for exploring the island, taking an excursion or two, or spending time on the beach or in town shopping and dining.
Are there beaches near the Antigua cruise port?
The closest beach to the Antigua cruise port is Fort James Beach. It’s located about 2.5 miles away from the cruise terminal by car. Though it is technically walkable, the walk would take nearly one hour each way — so we recommend taking a taxi instead.
Are taxis readily available near the Antigua cruise port?
Yes, there are plenty of taxis that are easy to spot and readily available at the Antigua cruise port area.
Can you use U.S. dollars in Antigua?
The official currency in Antigua is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. However, U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Antigua.
Comments
Have you visited Antigua on a cruise? What makes your list of the best things to do while on this island? Drop us an anchor below to let us know your favorite cruise excursions.
