LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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HOW TO VISIT ENGLISH HARBOUR AND NELSON’S DOCKYARD FROM ST JOHN’S.

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One of the most famous tourist attractions in Antigua is Nelson’s Dockyard. A UNESCO World Heritage, towards the south end of the island. We were recently visiting Antigua for two days, as part of a two week Caribbean cruise aboard Arvia, and a visit to English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard was top of our list.

We combined our visit to this area, with a hike to Shirley Heights and a bit of beach time on Galleon Beach. It turned out to be an ideal day out and a lovely chance to see a different area of the island.

In this blog post, we will share everything we learnt about visiting English Harbour and Nelsons’ Dockyard. In particular, how to get there using public transport, from St John’s cruise port.

Are English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard worth visiting?

When people talk about Antigua, they will often mention the 365 beaches around the island – one for each year. And, of course, Antigua’s beaches are absolutely worth visiting. But, if you’re visiting the island for the first time and fancy doing something just a little different, then that’s where Nelson’s Dockyard is ideal.

Nelson’s Dockyard is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only continuously working Georgian dockyard in the world. It’s well restored, easy to explore, and full of character, with historic buildings now cafés, shops, and a small museum.

English Harbour itself is equally appealing. The marina is often filled with impressive yachts.

This area of Antigua is also filled with many other attractions – including famous beaches like Galleon Beach and Falmouth. So it’s easy to organise a day out combining a bit of history, sightseeing and relaxing.

How to get to English Harbour from St John’s?

English Harbour is about 12 miles (19 km) south of St John’s. There are several easy ways to get there, depending on your budget and how much time you have.

Bus

We opted to take the local bus from St John’s to English Harbour.

The bus for English Harbour/ Nelson’s Dockyard leaves from the West Bus Station Terminal in St John’s. The bus terminal is around a 5 minute walk from the cruise port, through the market in St John’s.

Bus number 17, which is usually a minivan, leaves frequently from the bus station, but there isn’t really a timetable. Instead, the bus will just leave when it’s filled up.

To pay – give the driver cash (either Eastern Caribbean or US dollars.) I’m not entirely sure how much it cost, we paid in US and got Eastern Caribbean back in charge – but no more than $1-2 per person.

The last stop for the bus is Nelson’s Dockyard. So if you want to see a little of English Harbour first (which I’d recommend) get off there, then walk down to the dockyard.

It took us around 35 minutes, but it could take longer depending on traffic and how many times the bus driver is asked to stop. I particularly enjoyed these moments, when a passenger would shout “Bus Stop”, and the driver would comply.

Taxi

If you wanted to get a taxi, you could do so from the cruise port where many taxis will be waiting. Whether you wanted to share a taxi or take a private car. You can expect to pay between $40-50 for the 25 minute journey.

Tour

Finally, you can book a tour from St John’s to visit a English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard. There are a few half day tours, which actually work out at quite good value at around £50 person. For example, this half day tour, includes tickets and a guided tour at Nelson’s Dockyard, a visit to Shirley Heights and transport.

Nelson’s Dockyard: a quick guide

How long do you need?

You’ll need around 1–2 hours to explore Nelson’s Dockyard at a relaxed pace. This gives you time to walk around the dockyard, visit the museum, browse the shops, and stop for a drink by the water.

Tip: The restaurant in Nelson’s Harbour is extremely expensive ($8 for a coffee), but the cafe (Hot Spot Café), is much more reasonable and has a great view of the harbour.

Cost

Entry is $15 USD per adult, children are usually free or discounted. Tickets are valid for the day. You can pay on card, but will be charged in Eastern Caribbean Dollars.

What to expect

Nelson’s Dockyard is compact, flat, and easy to explore. I expect it may be a little more interesting if you have a guided tour, but if you are visiting independently, you’ll find:

• Restored Georgian-era buildings
• A small museum explaining the dockyard’s naval history – for us, this was the most interesting section and where we spent most time
• Cafés and restaurants with harbour views
• Shops selling local crafts and souvenirs.

Tip: we found the mosquitos at Nelson’s Dockyard to be quite intense. I’d recommend wearing repellent.

Where to visit nearby?

Once you’ve seen the dockyard, there are several great spots close by if you want to make a day of it:

Falmouth Harbour – Another scenic marina with restaurants and bars.

Galleon Beach – Calm, clear water and excellent snorkelling (you can take the water taxi from Nelson’s Dockyard.)

Shirley Heights – Incredible panoramic views over English Harbour (an easy hike from Galleon Beach.)

Pigeon Point Beach – A beautiful, relaxed beach within walking distance.

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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