Swim with Dolphins

Dolphin Fantaseas, Marina Bay, Antigua; Telephone: 268-562-SWIM (7946); Fax: 268-562-3646

One of Antigua's most exciting and thrilling activities is Dolphin Fantaseas, swim with the dolphins program. This once in a lifetime adventure gives participants the opportunity to experience up close and personal playtime with dolphins, while gaining an understanding of these fascinating mammals and inspiring individuals to obtain an appreciation for marine life and the environment in which they live. Housed in a 5.5 million gallon lagoon at Marina Bay, these precious animals are sure to make your vacation unforgettable.

Sailing / Boating

Sailing has been an integral part of Antigua's culture for hundreds of years, and is still a very big part of the island's attractions. Antigua's annual Sailing Week at Nelson's Dockyard brings together hundreds of international racing boats, recreational yachts, and classic sailboats.

You can charter almost any kind of boat in Antigua, and you can also go on one of the circumnavigation cruises offered by several day charters. Most hotels have Sunfish or Sailfish, and a number of companies hire yachts.

For a really fun time, try Treasure Island Cruises!

Cricket

Cricket is our national sports and Antigua has produced several world class, famous cricketers. Antigua contributes top cricketers to the West Indian cricket team, and to international cricket. Antigua Recreation Ground often hosts several international cricket events, such as the recent West Indies vs. India and West Indies vs. Sri Lanka. Our most famous cricketers are Vivian Richards, one of the greatest batsman of all times, Andy Roberts, one of the greatest fast bowlers, Richie Richardson, another great batsman, and Curtly Ambrose, a current fast bowler on the West Indies team. Cricket games are common everywhere on the island.

Tennis

Tennis is played around the island. The annual Tennis Week brings together international competitors to the island in May. Several hotels around the island have excellent tennis facilities.

Diving and Snorkeling

Antigua & Barbuda has hundreds of reefs and wrecks to explore. Cades Reef on the southern part of the island offers excellent snorkeling or diving. There are several SCUBA diving operators that can arrange all of the equipment and recommend the best dive sites.

Windsurfing

H20Antigua Limited. Situated in Dutchman's Bay, near the airport, H2O Antigua is the only exclusive windsurf club on the island. H2O offers lessons and rentals for all ages and abilities at affordable prices and there's a bar & restaurant to relax in too. The club is open all year, nearly every day and qualified staff are on hand to help you learn and improve. The Club boasts the latest Starboard, AHD & Gaastra equipment and from 2003 hopes to host numerous events, competitions,races & kids clubs. With Kayaking, Snorkelling & Mountain biking on site, H2O makes a perfect choice for the whole family.

Hiking and Birdwatching

Hiking has not been much developed as an organized activity, although Antigua has many trails and tracks that are well suited to it. Most of the popular hikes lead to one or another of the island's many hilltop fortifications: Fort George sits atop Monk's Hill, and Fort Barrington (captured by the French in 1666) is on the promontory at Deep Bay. The Historical and Archaeological Society frequently arranges group hikes.

Much of the appeal of the natural environment in Antigua and Barbuda is the multitude of bird species to be found there. The Frigate Bird Sanctuary on Barbuda, though accessible only by boat, is the largest bird sanctuary in the Caribbean and contains over 170 species; Long Island and Great Bird Island also offer outstanding opportunities for birdwatchers.

Golfing

There are three golf courses on the Antigua: a 9-hole, 34-par course at Half Moon Bay, an 18-hole, 70-par course at the Cedar Valley Golf Club and another at Jolly Harbour. The K-Club on Barbuda also has its own 9-hole course.

Fishing and Hunting

Sportfishing, bonefish in Barbuda's Codrington Lagoon, hunting of deer, boar, various gamefowl on Barbuda. Licenses and gun permits must be obtained in Codrington Village. The Antigua and Barbuda Annual Sport Fishing Tournament is held in May of each year.

Riding

There are several stables in Antigua. Arrangements for riding can be made through your hotel.

[St. John's Cathedral | Museum | Fort James | Fig Tree Drive | Shirley Heights | Nelson's Dockyard | Dow Hill Interpretation Centre]

There's plenty to see in Antigua and this may be achieved by either renting a vehicle or going on a guided tour. This history of the capital of St. John's dates back to the 17th century and some buildings over 200 years old are still standing today.

The St. John's Cathedral

The St. John's Anglican Cathedral which dominates the capital was originally built of wood in 1681 and replaced in 1722. After being destroyed in the 1843 earthquake the present stone structure was completed in 1848.

The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda

The Museum is housed in the Old Court House built in 1750 of stone quarried from the North Sound islands off Antigua's north-east coast.

It was designed by architect Peter Harrison, born in Yorkshire, England in 1716. The Court House was used for charity ball, bazaars, official dinners and teas as well as grim court room. As Mrs. Lanaghan said in 1842 in her book entitled Antigua and the Antiguans, the building "has seen many a smiling face and echoed the sighs of many a heart". Today, this historic building is a fine setting for an interpretive museum and is an excellent example of an adaptive use of an old building.

The museum interprets the story of the nation from its geological birth through political independence to the present day. It has been designed with children in mind, simply and effectively, without long captions and there are signs encouraging visitors to touch and experience.

The Museum's primary objectives are education and research of the nation's heritage and presents to the people of Antigua and Barbuda and their visitors a view of their island's history. The Museum tries to give a feeling or our society's unique heritage and to instill in its people a sense of identity and pride.

Collecting is central to the mission of the Museum with the objective of preserving the nation's heritage for future generations. It acquires objects and specimens by field collecting, gifts, loans, and exchanges and welcomes input from all who are interested in preserving and expressing the island's heritage.

The Museum has something for everyone. Come in and enjoy the historic atmosphere in a cool oasis in the middle of St. John's and browse in the Museum Store. Hours are: Moon - Thurs 8:30am -4:00pm
Friday 8:30am - 3:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm
Closed Sundays and Holidays
(Contribution of Museum of Antigua & Barbuda, Long Street, Box 103, St. John's Tel 462-1469/4930)

Fort James

Due to its strategic location at the northern entrance of the harbour and town of St. John's Fort James was erected in 1675 as a form of defence. It is located on one of the more popular beaches in Antigua and is favourite with our visitors. Millers by The Sea, a locally run restaurant and bar, has enhanced the atmosphere by offering facilities for visitors and vendors alike.

Fig Tree Drive

Fig Tree Drive is one of the most scenic drives in Antigua. Situated on the southeastern section of the island it exhibits lush vegetation and a rain forest along winding roads and rolling hillside.

Shirley Heights

Situated on the southeastern tip of Antigua overlooking the Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights was formerly one of Antigua's most important defensive positions. It is now one of the prime sightseeing spots and, on Sunday evenings, a famous party spot.

Nelson's Dockyard

Named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, this port was used as shelter from hurricanes and a a repair yard. As its importance grew Forts were built for protection and the English used it as a station during the fortification of English harbour. Today it is a must for sightseeing purposes and ocean going yachts moor up to the seawall.

DOWS HILL: A modern way to experience history

Most historic sites of places of interest are recognized for one specific reason or occasion. DOWS HILL - now home to Antigua's historic Interpretation Centre, is one exception.

The site, in the words of many historians, "sleeps with history". This hill, which offers a panoramic view taking in most of what we call the national park was originally owned by Archibald Dow; an employee of the Royal Naval Dockyard. No sooner had Mr. Dow build his modest house than the British Government requisitioned its property and constructed a small fort.

Mr. Dow's house (the ruins of which serve as the base for the viewing platform of Belvedere) was enlarged and housed the commanding officer. When peace, or at least some semblance of its finally came to the high seas the fort, like many others, was abandoned.

Some years later, carpenters and masons once again made their way up Dows Hill. "Enlarge the House!" they were told. "It was to become the residence of the Governor of the Leeward Islands."

An historic church service was held within those walls. Historic, not because of the occasion or the date but because of the participants. the Governor had ordered that this entire household should be present, meaning that, together with his friends and family sat his slaves and servants. An interracial church service was unheard of at that time.

In 1843 an earthquake shook Antigua and it is believed that the abandoning of the Governor's residence was due to resulting damages.

The hill remained quiet and untouched until N.A.S.A. decided to place a receiving dish amidst the ruins. Many claim that when astronaut Armstrong spoke his famous words on the moon, the signal was received, first at Dows Hill and later transmitted to mission control and the rest of the world.

Having served its purpose, the site was once again abandoned. It wasn't until a few years ago that the ruins at Dow's Hill were unearthed and stabilized and its past investigated. The ruins have been left for all to explore and experience, while another building was constructed (designed in-keeping with the romance of the area) to house the state of the art, multimedia presentation. You'll travel through the corridors of time in 15 minutes; meet an Amerindian, say hello to Columbus and sit with Lord Nelson as he keeps watch for those enemy ships. As time rolls on you'll see some of our more renowned heroes like 'Father of the Nation', the former Prime Minister the Right Honourable Vere Cornwall Bird and Dr. Vivian Richards, cricket star/sports figure the world over.

Be sure to visit Dows Hill Interpretation Centre and experience history in a modern way.

(Contribution of National Park Authority)

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