Exclusive Antigua Culture and History Tour

Enjoy this exclusive small-group tour to Antigua's beautiful and historic South Coast. Smaller groups allow for more personalized visits to locations, including Shirley Heights, Dow's Hill Interpretation Center, and Nelson's Dockyard.

English Harbour, Antigua's historic district, is centered around the 15 square miles of Nelson's Dockyard National Park. Developed as a base for the British Navy during the great age of sail, the harbor served as headquarters for the fleet of the Leeward Islands in the late 18th century.

Although the dockyard was greatly expanded under Horatio Nelson, it was gradually abandoned in the nineteenth century and closed in 1889. Today, Nelson's Dockyard has been completely restored and remains the only Georgian dockyard in the world.

Further above the harbor, at Shirley Heights, you'll find the partially restored fortifications of the harbor's colonial observation post. The view from Shirley Heights stretches out over the harbor and across the Caribbean to neighboring islands.

Dow's Hill Interpretation Center offers an engaging multimedia presentation on Antigua's history, from its earliest settlements to independence. Observation decks at Dow's Hill provide another fine view of the harbor and the ruins of Fort Berkeley, located on the far side of the bay.

The tour continues along the island's scenic Southern Coast, through lush rainforest and charming rural landscapes. Along the way, enjoy a stop at Clairmont Pineapple Farm, where owner and farmer Mr. Grant personally leads visitors through his working farm. Guests can see how Antigua's famous black pineapple is grown and enjoy a taste of the fresh fruit during the visit. The farm is situated in a peaceful rural area, reached by a short ride along a dirt road that offers a glimpse of everyday life outside the main towns.

Relax and enjoy the ride in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus as you experience Antigua's natural beauty, local culture, and rich history.

Explore And Discover Barbados Island

Departing from the pier area, your Barbados tour begins with a drive over to the East Coast of Barbados. The first stop will be Cherry Tree Hill, situated 850 feet above sea-level. This spot offers an excellent view of the "Scotland District," which covers the parish of St. Andrew and is named after the Patron Saint of Scotland. The road to Cherry Hill is lined with mahogany trees, which were introduced into Barbados after the Treaty of Paris in 1763. From there you will make your way to Morgan Lewis Windmill for a photo stop. The windmill is on the top 100 endangered historical sites in the world.

As you come down onto the coastline, you will travel through Cattle Wash and make a stop in Bathsheba, named for its great beauty and home of the Soup Bowl, a favorite stop for surfers in Barbados. Your next stop will be St. Johns Church, one of the oldest churches on the island, set on a cliff and capturing spectacular views. This classic Gothic church with stunning architecture was built in 1836 on a cliff face 800 feet above sea level. It commands spectacular views of the east and southeastern coastal regions. Within the churchyard is the tomb of a distant relative of Constantine, the last Christian Emperor of Constantinople.

From this Gothic church, you will journey down past Gun Hill Signal Station, an old military defense station on the island, where you will see the famous White Lion coral stone carving. Your next stop will be the first British built garrison in the West Indies, St. Ann's Fort. Built in 1705, the garrison served as the regional headquarters of the British Navy, which then expanded to include barracks and even a parade ground. For the better part of a century, this fort was the largest British Colonial garrison and is also known for being the place where the flag of the independent nation of Barbados was first unfurled on November 30th, 1966.

Once on the South Coast, stop at one of the most beautiful beaches on the island on Carlisle Bay, where you can purchase lunch. Then take a memorable journey in a snorkel boat to swim with the turtles and snorkel at a shipwreck. While wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, turtles are seen on most trips to Carlisle Bay on this 90 minute snorkeling tour. Under the surface of the sea, Carlisle Bay comes alive with vibrant tropical fish in abundance, sea horses, sea turtles, octopus, rays, and much more! This unique array of marine life is due in part to the six different ship wrecks in the water as shallow as 12 feet. The wrecks are obviously another important contributor to the popularity of Carlisle Bay. For those seeking an adventure, you will not be disappointed with the sight of these sunken treasures. The boat is equipped with a bar, bathrooms, and a fun waterslide. Please be sure to wear your swimsuits and bring a beach towel for this excursion. After your beach time, you will return to Bridgetown.