What to Do in St Johns Antigua: Port Guide & 1-Day Itinerary
If you are wondering what to do in St John’s Antigua, you’ve come to the right place. Antigua and Barbuda is a popular island destination in the Caribbean for cruise ships and relaxing beach vacations.
The island is made famous by their beaches, which they proudly claim to have 365 of. They have a “beach for everyday of the year” (but some of these are small sand patches on the side of the road.
Regardless, Antigua is a beautiful destination for white sandy beaches, warm Caribbean waters, and relaxing vacation vibes.
This guide to what to do in St John’s Antigua is tailored to people visiting on a cruise with only one day to see the island.
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What to do in St John’s Antigua
1. Visit the Beach
If you are visiting the island of 365 beaches, you need to spend your day at the beach! With so many amazing beaches to choose from, there is the perfect option for everyone.
Some of the beaches are known for party vibes and a lot of infrastructure. Others are hidden gems that you will have to yourself.
The following 3 beaches are my top recommendations:
1. Dickenson Bay – Where I spent my recent day in Antigua. Dickenson bay runs on the side of busy and built out compared to some of the other beaches, but I appreciate it.
There is a large beach bar, beach chairs for rent, and amazing people watching. Its also a short drive from the cruise port.
2. Jolly Beach – Similarly to Dickenson Bay, Jolly Beach offers amenities such as a bar and shops. There will be crowds, but you can easily find your own space on the mile of beach.
3. Half Moon Beach – This beach is more private than some of the others. Here, you will have a ton of space to yourself, but may want to pack in your own food and drinks.
2. City Sightseeing Tour
Another great thing to do in Antigua is a city tour to learn about the local history and culture. For the best experience, I recommend booking a local tour guide.
A local guide will provide way more context and details than you would be able to get on a self-guided tour. In addition, the tour provides transportation, making it easy to get around.
I highly recommend this 3-hour city tour that hits the highlight of St John. Since it’s only three hours, it can be combined with another activity during your one day itinerary.
The tour hits the most popular spots in St Johns including:
- St John’s Vegetable Market
- Heritage Quay
- Fort James
- Cathedral of St. John the Divine
3. Canopy Zipline Adventure
One of my favorite activities in any tropical destination is ziplining. I love the unique vantage point you can get from above the canopy.
I also love the adventure and thrill!
This Antigua zipline tour includes 10 ziplines, a ropes course, and suspension bridges. The lines go over the tree tops, across a gorge, and through a corridor within the forest.
This tour is a great option if you are “beached out” after island hopping on a Caribbean cruise. It’s also great if you enjoy adventure travel!
4. Hike for Amazing Views
There are many great hikes in Antigua. Most of them are to peaks with panoramic views of the island.
If you’re arriving in Antigua early, a hike is a great activity before it gets too hot for the day.
To make your hiking trip early, this tour includes transportation and a guide so you can ensure you are safe and don’t miss any turns.
It’s also a great opportunity to get all of your questions about the island answered by a local. You can select any hike on the island for the tour, here are some of the most popular:
- Fort George
- Signal Hill
- Fort Berkley
- Monk Hill
One Day Itinerary for St John’s Antigua Cruise Port
Arriving in Port:
The St John’s Antigua cruise port is very clean and modern, with souvenir shops, bars, and local merchants.
When you get off the ship, proceed through the port to the taxi stand if you are going somewhere on your own. The official taxi drivers are all wearing orange shirts.
If you are taking a tour, exit the cruise port area, then meet at a pre-arranged spot with your guide.
Morning Activity:
Start the day with a quick city tour led by a local. Learn about the history of the port, the island, and hear about local culture.
This tour is approximately 3-hours and includes transportation to and from the cruise port.
Afternoon Activity:
As I mentioned above, the best thing to do in Antigua is spend time at one of their many amazing beaches.
Following the city tour, get a taxi to one of the beaches listed above. I recommend Dickenson Bay.
For the afternoon, rent a beach chair and umbrella. Visit the beach bar for local food for lunch and plenty of drinks.
Private Full-Day Tour
To take all the stress out of planning a one day itinerary for St Johns, you can book a full-day private tour. They will arrange a full day tour including the top activities and transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions about St John’s Antigua
Before we get into what to do in St John’s Antigua, here is a quick look at the most frequently asked questions about the island.
When is the best time to visit Antigua?
Antigua is a great travel destination year-round, with the exception of hurricane season from June through October.
How to get to Antigua?
There are non-stop flights on major airlines from the East Coast United States and Europe to V.C Bird Antigua International Airport (ANU).
How to get a taxi from the St John’s cruise port?
One of the most stressful parts of travel for me is finding a taxi in a foreign country. I am terrified of being scammed or worse. In Antigua, there is an official taxi stand in the port area, and all of the staff will be wearing matching orange shirts.
Approach any of the staff and ask them for the price to your location. You can try negotiating, but I found the prices to be firm. As reference, it was $15 per person to Dickenson Bay.
What is the official currency of Antigua?
The official currency of Antigua is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, but US dollars are widely accepted.
What is the official language?
The official language of Antigua is English.
Where to Stay in Antigua
If you get to spend a couple days in Antigua, here are my favorite resorts on the island. They are both luxurious, have great pool and beach access, and have an all-inclusive option.
Jumby Bay Island – This resort is on a small island directly off the coast of St John’s. It’s a great resort for ultimate tranquility and relaxation.
The resort has two outdoor pools, water activities such as kayaking and snorkeling, a full-service spa, and three restaurants onsite.
The rooms are large 1000 square foot suites with either beach or pool views and stunning finishes.
Sandals Grande – For the ultimate all-inclusive, adults-only experience, the Sandals Grande Antigua is a great option.
The resort has everything you need for a great vacation, and you wont even need to leave the resort your entire trip (but you should anyway).
This all-inclusive resort has 11 restaurants, water activities, nightly entertainment, 7 bars, 6 outdoor pools, and more. In addition, the ground and rooms are beautiful.
Summary of What to do in St John’s Antigua
If you take one thing away from this guide to what to do in St John’s Antigua, it should be to take advantage of the stunning beaches.
While there are other great things to do, don’t feel guilty about kicking back at the beach all day. That’s what vacation is for!
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