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.

OVERVIEW

You will be met on the pier and escorted to your awaiting transportation. A short drive will take you to your Cooking Class venue. The experienced and knowledgeable chef in the modern kitchen and talented team has been set up and all have been trained by a Michelin 1* chef, Colin McGurran. The team will welcome you with a real homemade traditional rum or fruit punch, as you will be briefed on your awaiting culinary experience. Fresh local ingredients will already have been sourced and the 3-course menu, which you will contribute to create, will be explained in every minute detail with local anecdotes and real attention to detail. Prepare the dishes you will enjoy, see them at every stage culminating in enjoying the ‘fruits of your labour’ - a sumptuous, tasty and typical 3 course Antiguan with Caribbean fusion meal with fresh local ingredients prepared and cooked as the meals should be. In your cooking class, the chef will introduce visitors to all the local ingredients, spices, provide history about Antiguan food and cooking, and discuss the various ways local seasoning can be used to give your food its own West Indian style when you return home. And no meal is complete without a glass or two of wine to complement. There will be time for a dip in the sea, so bring your swimming costume and towel. Suitably refreshed and educated you will then board your transportation to take you back to your awaiting ship.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Race through the wilds of southwestern Antigua in a 4x4 vehicle on an off-road adventure that includes time to relax at a secluded beach. After a briefing and demonstration to familiarize you with the open-air buggy – a 2-seat Utility Terrain Vehicle – you will head off caravan-style into the countryside in Saint Mary Parish. You can either drive or ride along as a passenger. Either way, it will be a thrill, especially once you leave the paved highway. The circuitous route will take you through fields and farmland, over rolling hills and into marshy swamps where the mud will be flying high off the tires. Along the way, you will pause at particularly scenic outlooks such as the cliffside one near Old Road Village that overlooks the sea and the island of Montserrat. In time, you will arrive at a remote beach to relax and take a refreshing swim if you wish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive your own 2-seat UTV through the countryside or ride along as a passenger.
• Follow an off-road route through farmland, over hills and into muddy terrain.
• Pause at picturesque lookouts that present the natural beauty of southwestern Antigua.
• Spend a bit of free time relaxing at a secluded beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Observe the natural wonders above and beneath the water’s surface by kayaking and snorkeling off Antigua’s northeastern shore. To maximize your time on the water, a Carolina skiff will take you from the fishing village of Seatons and on into the North Sound Marine Park. There, you will paddle along in a caravan of kayaks, pausing to observe birds such as pelicans and to listen to the naturalist guide elaborate on the natural environment. Red mangroves line the islets, providing shelter for wildlife, stabilizing the coastline and filtering the water to keep it crystal-clear. That clarity will be especially helpful as you snorkel off Great Bird Island, which you will reach by speedboat. You can expect to see marine life such as blue parrotfish, banded butterflyfish and a type of grouper known as red hinds. You may also see stingrays and spotted eagle rays, which are related but noticeably different.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle a kayak among the mangrove-lined islets in North Sound Marine Park.
• Look for birds and other animals that find shelter in the red mangroves.
• Snorkel through the crystal-clear waters off the natural habitat Great Bird Island.
• Cruise to the kayaking and snorkeling sites in a Carolina skiff and by speedboat.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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.

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

Gain a historical perspective of Antigua at a meticulously restored 18th-century naval base and then relax on one of the island’s most gorgeous beaches. As you will discover, Nelson’s Dockyard is so historically important that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site. After an enlightening tour of its Georgian-style buildings enclosed by defensive walls, you can independently browse the dockyard’s museum and shops. For the ultimate view of Antigua’s southern shore and English Harbour, you will pause at Shirley Heights, a former military garrison, signal station and lookout that was first used during the American Revolutionary War. Free time follows on a white sand beach, an inspiring stretch of sand on the island’s western shore. You might ease into a lounge chair and bask in the sun, enjoy a Caribbean lunch of chicken, vegetables and rice & peas, swim in the typically calm waters and stroll along the coast. Keep an eye out for dolphins, which are often seen breaching the water’s surface just offshore.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Nelson’s Dockyard, an 18th-century British naval base.
• Recognize the dockyard’s historical importance and browse its contemporary shops.
• Gaze out over English Harbour from Shirley Height’s, the island’s southernmost point.
• Enjoy a welcome drink and a Caribbean lunch and the idyllic setting at one of Antigua’s most beautiful beaches.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Discover the natural beauty of Antigua and catch glimpses of island life on this scenic drive across the enchanting island. You will board your air conditioned motor coach and begin your drive through the heart of the city as you head out of St. John’s. Drive through colorful tranquil villages with charming churches and rolling hills, passing tropical plants and trees along the way. Continuing on to the North Sound region, you will pass the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium and drive through the villages of All Saints, Liberta and Falmouth.

Make a quick stop for refreshments before continuing through the lush green foliage of Fig Tree Drive, the island’s most picturesque drive and home of Antigua’s tropical forest. Fig is the Antiguan word for banana and you will drive through groves of wild mango, guava, coconut and of course, bananas at every turn. Along this scenic southwest coast to Old Road, Fig Tree Drive climbs up and down hillsides affording breathtaking views. As your island drive takes you back to the ship, you will pass the pineapple fields at Cades Bay and beautiful Darkwood Beach. This island drive will give you a taste of Antigua and will have you wanting to come back for more.