EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Behold the breathtaking beauty of the still-active Soufriere Hills volcano on neighboring Montserrat from a helicopter with tiered seating that ensures a great view. As you fly high above the turquoise sea between the islands of Antigua and Montserrat, the pilot will describe the devastation from the volcano since 1995, when it erupted for the first time in centuries. The volcano eventually buried the capital of Plymouth in ash and forced it to be abandoned. Much of southern Montserrat lies within the Exclusion Zone, an area that is considered too hazardous to enter except by flying overhead. From the comfort of the helicopter, you will enjoy a literal bird’s-eye view of the Exclusion Zone, the volcano and the destruction from past eruptions. Few experiences are quite so memorable. Be sure keep looking down on the way to and from Montserrat as whales and sea turtles are often spotted.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Observe a still-active volcano on Montserrat from high above in a helicopter.
• See the widespread destruction that the volcano’s past eruptions have caused.
• Look for whales and sea turtles in the waters between Antigua and Montserrat islands.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Fly high over Antigua in a helicopter with tiered seating that offers sweeping views of the island’s attractions. Along the way, the pilot will point out the most noteworthy landmarks and provide enlightening commentary. As you soar along the coast, you will see countless beaches, your cruise ship, superyachts anchored in Falmouth Harbour and the Shirley Heights Lookout that marks the island’s southernmost point. Nearby, you will spot Cade’s Reef, Rendezvous Bay and Nelson’s Dockyard Village, a fully restored 18th-century naval base that is so historically important that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site. Along the western shore of Antigua, you can expect to see the villages of Five Islands and Jolly Harbour. To the north lies the avian sanctuary Great Bird Island and diminutive Prickly Pear Island, while gorgeous Half Moon Bay is one of the highlights near the eastern tip of Antigua. This helicopter adventure will offer a wonderful view of the entire island.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy sweeping views of Antigua from a helicopter with tiered seating and large windows.
• Circumnavigate the entire island and come away with a genuine feel for the lay of the land.
• See historical attractions, pristine beaches, secluded coves and a bird sanctuary.
• Total airtime approximately 20 minutes, each way. Landing approximately 30 minutes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

As your catamaran slips away from the mainland, enjoy the thrill of sailing on the Caribbean Sea. Feel the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair as you sail along the reef-protected northwest coast of Antigua. Anchor and snorkel in crystal-clear waters among the colorful fish and living coral of this impressive barrier reef. Next, sail to one of Antigua's beautiful beaches and enjoy a West Indian-style buffet lunch served on board and an open bar with rum mixed drinks, beer and sodas. After lunch, disembark to explore, swim or just soak up some rays on the lovely beach. Enjoy more of Antigua's picturesque coastline on the return sail back to your ship.

Travel through Antigua's rolling countryside on an air-conditioned bus to historic Nelson's Dockyard. Built in 1725, the dockyard was the base for the English naval squadron. Take a short, informative walking tour through the dockyard with its restored buildings. You'll also have free time to explore the museum, art gallery, gift shop, and boutiques. Enjoy a complimentary beverage before continuing on to Blockhouse Ruins. View the remains of the powder magazine, gun platforms, cisterns and officer's barracks atop this sheer cliff. Your final stop is Shirley Heights overlooking English Harbor and Nelson's Dockyard.

You’ll be taken to a beautiful white-sand beach to enjoy a rum or fruit cocktail before being escorted to your complimentary lounge chair, reserved for you on the beach. Once rested and enjoying your special day at the beach, savour a delicious buffet style lunch: chicken or fish, rice, baked potato, vegetables, salad - including a refreshing beverage (rum and/or fruit punch drink). A pasta dish will also be available for vegetarians. A pasta dish will also be available for vegetarians. Relax on the beach, take a leisurely walk or swim in the sea. Changing facilities, restrooms, water sports (at additional cost supplied by outside vendors), freshwater showers as well as a beach bar and restaurant are available.

OVERVIEW

Join the ultimate party at sea on a beautiful double-deck catamaran moored off Ffryes Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand that rims an equally gorgeous bay. It won’t take long to reach the catamaran as you will race there on a speedy water taxi that will put you in just the right mood for the nonstop fun that awaits. A local DJ will be playing the latest and hottest Caribbean music, the drinks will be flowing – including the signature rum punch – and the mood will be beyond lively. You will be free to enjoy the Kai Koconut floating bar most any way you like. Bask in the sun out on deck, relax in the shade under a thatched roof or head straight for the dance floor. If you want to take a refreshing swim, you can ease into turquoise waters on one of the aft ramps or zip down on the slide.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Party for hours on a catamaran anchored in the crystal-clear bay off Ffryes Beach.
• Enjoy unlimited drinks, lively Caribbean music from the DJ and the carefree atmosphere.
• Bask in the sun, relax in the shade and swim in the sea.
• Ride the slide and make a big splash in the water.
• Cruise to the catamaran on a speedy water taxi.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel, hat and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sit back in the comfort of a traditional tuk-tuk while the driver takes you on an enlightening journey through the rainforest and on to one of Antigua’s most beautiful beaches. A tuk-tuk is an open-air rickshaw of sorts originally named for the sound of its engine. Modern engines are noticeably quieter and tuk-tuks have become one of the most desirable ways to get around the island. You will enjoy uninterrupted views of the natural beauty and pause to sample fresh tropical fruits along the green corridor route. You will see many of those fruits such as figs, bananas and mangos growing wild along Fig Tree Drive, the wonderfully scenic circuitous road that leads to the beach on the island’s southern shore. It will be easy to find your own slice of paradise as you bask in the sun, stroll along the shore and take a refreshing swim in the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride through the lush countryside and rainforest in a three-wheeled, open-air tuk-tuk..
• Hear entertaining commentary from your tuk-tuk driver.
• Stop in a nature reserve for a sampling of fresh tropical fruits.
• Spend free time relaxing however you please at the beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel, hat and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a tasting of Antiguan rums as a prelude to creating your own bottle of flavored rum in an entertaining hands-on class. The venue for this unique immersive experience will be the Academy of Rum, a distillery whose in-house experts will describe the history of rum-making on Antigua and explain how their rums are distilled step by step. After sampling a selection of inspiring rums, which will help you distinguish their characteristics and nuances, you will blend your own flavored rum in a pot still. The exact recipe will up to you and depend upon the flavors that you found most appealing during the tasting. To further personalize your rum, you can create a label and add a wax seal to the bottle. Besides leaving with a one-of-a-kind fifth of rum, you will gain a newfound appreciation for the art of rum-making. Free time on Galleon Beach will follow.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn the nuances of Antiguan rums during a class and tasting at the Academy of Rum.
• Blend your own rum using the flavors you found most palatable during the tasting.
• Further personalize your rum by creating a label and wax seal for the bottle.
• Spend free time relaxing on Galleon Beach, which the Academy of Rum overlooks.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Board your sleek catamaran at the pier and set sail along the beautiful coastline of Antigua. View the many scenic white sandy beaches and boutique resorts. Visit picturesque Deep Bay Beach surrounded by calm turquoise waters for a swim or just relax in the sunshine. The crew will serve you refreshments on the beach, fruit juices and sodas of your choice.

Then sail further along the west coast heading to Morris Bay for a second beach stop. Swim in the warm waters or relax under a coconut tree. Meanwhile the crew creates a delicious lobster lunch served on board. Sip on a glass of champagne which will tempt you to relax a bit more. Following lunch, sail back along the coast while you enjoy an open bar and Caribbean music. It really doesn't get any better than this!

OVERVIEW

Sail on a catamaran to discover the picturesque coastline of Antigua and experience Antiguan hospitality with sparkling wine and local pineapple! Then spend time on one of Antigua’s famed 365 beaches. You will be met at the ship by your tour guide and escorted a few yards to your awaiting sailing catamaran and expert, courteous and knowledgeable crew. From here, you will embark on an exhilarating enjoyable boat ride where you will hug the north-western coastline and see Fort James, secluded beaches, 5* hotels, exclusive homes and with interesting narration. There will be an open bar where you can enjoy sparkling wine, rum punch, beers, water and soft drinks served with fresh local pineapple and tuna and cheese finger sandwiches. You will then be taken to one of Antigua’s famed 365 beaches for a stop to have a swim, walk the beach or simply relax before we take you back to your ship through the blue Caribbean waters and have another opportunity to soak up the Caribbean sun and see the Antiguan north-west coast line. This is an opportunity to enjoy the Caribbean as it used to be; peaceful and tranquil yet available for as much fun as you want to make. Take a boat ride, enjoy local Antiguan pineapple with sparkling wine, enjoy drinks from the open bar and visit one of Antigua’s famed 365 beaches; enjoy the tour prepared by people who know Antigua and Caribbean the best and simply relax.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Race along Antigua’s spectacularly scenic western coast while piloting a jet ski or just riding along as a passenger if you prefer. It won’t take long to reach beautiful Hawksbill Beach in the village of Five Islands, where you will sit in on a briefing that will help you maximize the experience. Once you are comfortable with operating the jet ski or riding on the back of it, you will follow the guide caravan-style through the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. You can expect it to be an exhilarating ride as you zip along the sheltered coast and in and out of idyllic bays. Antigua’s western shore is among the island’s most picturesque places. After a while, you will stop at a gorgeous beach where you can relax as you please. You might stretch out on the sand, take a refreshing swim or simply gaze out over the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Jet ski along Antigua’s beautiful western coast, either as the driver or a passenger.
• Zip in and out of sheltered coves while taking in the gorgeous tropical scenery.
• Stop to relax and swim at one of the most picturesque beaches.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Observe the wonders underwater through the completely transparent hull of a boat and then paddle your own transparent kayak through a sheltered lagoon for another perspective of the marine life. Unlike vessels with only see-through bottoms, these two are almost entirely made of clear polycarbonate resin so there is nothing to block your view of life beneath the sea. Even the seating is transparent. While cruising the bay off the eastern coast of Antigua, you can expect to observe an ever-changing parade of colorful fish darting about the coral reefs. Above the surface, you will see Hell’s Gate, a barren rocky island with a natural archway that looks as if it could be an entry to Hades. Although you may see similar marine life while paddling your kayak through a nearby mangrove lagoon, you can also expect to view entirely different species, including birds that nest in the trees’ intricate root systems.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise through the crystal-clear sea in a boat with a hull that is 100% transparent.
• Paddle your own transparent kayak through a lagoon that other marine life inhabits.
• Enjoy an uninterrupted view of the bountiful marine life below the surface.
• Sip on a refreshing rum punch and snack on freshly baked banana bread.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.