Charismatic English Harbour is positioned at the island’s most southerly point, greeting visitors with a host of activities and eateries. For a vibrant stay, visit over the festive period, New Year or during sailing week in April. For over 50 years, the world-class annual sailing regatta has lured hoards of spectators and participants with its exciting races followed by parties and celebrations for locals and tourists alike.
May through to October is much quieter but still as enjoyable. Fewer venues are open and the chance of rainfall is higher. Bear in mind hurricane season also looms for a few months from June. However, during these months flights and accommodation are cheaper and temperatures still remain consistently close to 30°C.
5 great places to stay in English Harbour
1. Admiral's Inn
Room-only Admiral’s Inn is a boutique hotel comprising 23 characterful rooms within historic Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO National Heritage site. Choose from a range of cosy, water-side cottages or tastefully converted former engineer’s offices within an imposing Georgian building, once used for storing lead, turpentine and pitch. A complimentary shuttle boat takes guests across the harbour to relax by the infinity pool framed by loungers and hammocks beside Boom, a wonderful covered, open-air restaurant.
Click on the link to read more about Admiral's Inn.
2. Copper & Lumber Store
Also within Nelson's Dockyard is Copper & Lumber Store Hotel - think olde-world charm with a modern twist. 14 contemporary suites are located within a sympathetically restored Georgian building once used to store copper and lumber to restore ships. Click on the link to read more about Copper & Lumber Store.
3. Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort
Bars, restaurants and live music events are on the doorstep of the Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort, a relaxed and friendly hotel with a range of hotel rooms and studio apartments. On-site is an Hamam Spa offering a range of indulgent treatments and the stunning sandy beach, Pigeon Point takes approximately 10 minutes to walk to.
4. South Point
South Point is a complex of 23 high-end apartments within several low rise buildings overlooking Falmouth Harbour marina. Ground floor apartments have furnished, secluded patio areas with gates that open out onto well manicured gardens leading to the small private beach and relaxing, decked pool area. On-site Maia offers a water-side, fine dining experience specialising in sushi. Click on the link to read more about South Point.
5. Neem View Apartments
Nestled in a quiet, gated community in Falmouth Harbour, Neem View Apartments are the perfect place for a vacation getaway or just relaxing. The tranquil properties offer a variety of fully equipped and furnished apartment spaces with stunning, panoramic views of English Harbour from some balconies. The apartments truly feel like your home away from home. Whether you are a solo traveller requiring studio accommodation, a couple opting for a one bedroom space or a group of friends occupying two bedrooms, they have you covered. Click on the link to read more about Neem View Apartments.
Privately Owned Rental Properties
Perhaps you prefer to stay in a privately owned rental property? If so, check out the link for a range of studio, 1, 2 & 4 bed properties and villas close to English Harbour.
How to spend time in English Harbour
Nelson's Dockyard, English Harbour
Start by spending the morning exploring the world's only continuously working Georgian dockyard. Its bakery provides take-away coffee, cakes and crisp pasties with a shout of scotch bonnet. Browse gift shops, a wood carving studio, clothing stalls and pass the towering palm tree planted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1966, Wander around the museum at leisure, once Lord Admiral Nelson's home and learn about the naval base following his arrival late 18th Century and the building of the dockyard shortly after by plantation slaves. Other points of interest dotted around the grounds include cannons, colossal anchors, cauldrons once used to heat tar and a stone incline plane that helped ease lumber into the saw pit. Read more about Nelson's Dockyard National Park.
Boom and The Powder Room
Embrace the cool breeze during a short and speedy complimentary boat ride (residents at Admiral's Inn) across the harbour and lunch at Boom. Non-residents can book a day pass. First work up an appetite swimming laps in the turquoise coloured infinity pool then devour the catch of the day with creole sauce or a crisp salad with the freshest of prawns. The afternoon can be spent relaxing in a poolside hammock, four poster day bed or lounger watching pelicans swoop for fish. Alternatively, indulge in a hot stone massage at the on-site spa, The Powder Room.
Pillars Caribbean Night
After dark, as crickets begin their chirping song, settle on a sumptuous sofa in the hotel's lounge bar. Partake in a game of ancient Warri while a cocktail of your choice is prepared. Adjacent to the bar is Pillars, an open-air, harbour-side restaurant. Watch leaping tarpan in the glistening water while tucking into a dish such as pepper encrusted mahi-mahi atop sautéed plantain with roasted baby potatoes. Saturdays are jazz nights and on Wednesdays during high season, a live steel band performs well-known favourite tunes and an additional Caribbean set menu is available.
Springhill Riding Club
Next day rise early for a pre-booked horseback ride through the plantations around Falmouth Harbour. The highlight of this unforgettable activity is to swim with your horse bareback at a small, secluded bay. Click on the link for full details of this 90 minute trail ride experience at English Harbour with the Antigua Equestrian Centre.
Galleon Beach and Pillars of Hercules
Stays at Admirals Inn include a free shuttle boat to Galleon Beach. If you are staying at Copper & Lumber Store, a chargeable, privately run shuttle operates during high season. From other accommodation around the harbour, a taxi will take you there in 10 minutes. From the shore, snorkel out to the shipwreck where marine life is plentiful and you may be lucky enough to have a turtle swim beneath you. Beachfront Loose Cannon serves exceptional food and drinks with cabanas available to rent for EC$300. They include paddle board hire, a mezze platter, wine or cocktails. During high season they run a free shuttle bus in the afternoons from Galleon Beach to Covent Garden Supermarket in English Harbour.
The active might like to set off on a walking trail and see the weathered cliff-side, natural limestone rock formation at the entrance to English Harbour, the Pillars of Hercules.
Pigeon Point Beach
Spend a day relaxing on stunning Pigeon Point beach. Once on the beach, trees are aplenty offering a shady place to lay your towel and relax. Water is calm, clear and warm, great for snorkelling and kids will enjoy the play park. At the far end, a fantastic French-inspired restaurant, Catherine's Cafe, will ensure you are well fed. Check Catherine's Cafe's website for details of brunches with pilates and regular live bands. To the other end of the beach is a casual beach bar, Bumpkins. They offer a range of burgers and salads and some excellent cocktails. The restaurant is in prime position for a sundowner with stunning sunsets, open daily except Mondays.
Lunch
Take lunch at one of the diverse restaurants sprinkled along Dockyard Drive, serving local and International cuisine. These are some of my most recommended restaurants to dine at in English Harbour.
Shirley Heights
A stay at English Harbour would be incomplete without a visit to Shirley Heights. From 4pm follow the procession of people and cars to the former military lookout, a long-standing tradition on a Sunday evening and more recently Thursdays too. The event kicks off with a steel band performance and a barbecue that continues through the night. At 490ft in height, the far-reaching views are amongst the best on the island. Golden hues darken as the sun sets over the harbour. Sometimes visibility is clear enough to see the islands of Montserrat and Guadalupe. Later, the volume is ramped up and tourists and locals sip rum punch and dance to the reggae beats from a lively local band. To read more about this popular activity have a look at my blog post about Shirley Heights.
Next morning stroll around to the marina for breakfast at Seabreeze, Skullduggery or Clean Food 'n' Jooce, each housed in a shipping container following a devastating fire believed to be caused by a lightning strike in October 2023.
Donkey Sanctuary
After breakfast take a 20 minute taxi journey to Antigua & Barbuda's Humane Society, an animal welfare organisation incorporating the local donkey sanctuary home to around 100 mares and stallions. They also look after and re-home cats and dogs that have been injured or abandoned. Contact the sanctuary in advance to arrange to volunteer for a day. It will involve combing the animals' coats, walking the dogs or cuddling puppies and kittens to help socialise them for re-homing. Adoption programs are available to provide donations to continue the care for your chosen animal after returning home. Click on the link to read more about the Donkey Sanctuary in Antigua.
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Clarence House
Book a tour with a knowledgeable guide to visit the eye catching Georgian building, Clarence House. It was built in 1804 for the Navy Commissioner to impress Royals, Captains and Admirals. Roam the well manicured gardens and listen to stories about the timeline of past events. View a selection of rooms laid out with exceptional locally made replica and antique furniture, creating an insight as to what life was like historically.
Today Clarence House is a museum and space for events and weddings. Click on the link to check availability and to book a tour of Clarence House.
Maia at South Point
Meander along to Maia at South Point at night or perhaps one of the other local, highly recommended restaurants in English Harbour. Perch at the counter-top bar with an ice-frosted glass of rosé. Listen to live music on Fridays and Saturdays while watching flaming steaks being grilled to one side and delicate sushi preparation to the other. Maia also serves local delights such as a carpaccio of breadfruit roasted with a scattering of parmesan or a veggie burger with a plantain 'bun'. For dessert sample slivers of Antigua’s national fruit, black pineapple, known for being the sweetest in the world, then bathed in lemon vodka.
Rum in the Ruins
At 5pm on Friday nights during high season, don't miss the opportunity of heading up to Dow's Hill for the Rum in the Ruins tour organised by Antigua & Barbuda National Park. Relax with a couple of rum punches and listen to around an hour or so of captivating and humorous storytelling. Stories are told amongst the ruins of Dow's Hill Fortification dating back to 1789. The views from here during sunset are arguably the best in Antigua.
Click on the Rum in the Ruins link to check availability and to book a tour.
Dining and Dancing at Abracadabra
Night owls can dance into the early hours at popular authentic Italian restaurant, Abracadabra. At weekends the venue transforms into an outdoor disco. An ideal way to burn off calories from a rich and creamy risotto laced with mascarpone, lime and lobster.
A lot can be packed into three days in this location so do as little or as much as you desire. It’s probably worth saving something so you have the perfect excuse to return.
Note: I will receive a small commission if you make a booking at accommodation/some of the activities I have recommended.
If you make any bookings based on my recommendations your contract will be directly with the hotels/owners of the privately owned rental properties/activity providers. I am acting as a referral point only based on information from my most recent visit which may be subject to change at any time.