English Harbour

Travel Guide
Mamora Bay featuring tropical scenes, general coastal views and a luxury hotel or resort
Colonial landmarks, white-sand beaches, coral reefs and watersports give this historic town in southern Antigua a true Caribbean flair.

The English Harbour settlement blends British colonial history with quintessential West Indies beaches. This town spreads around a sheltered natural harbor at Antigua’s southernmost tip, where for almost 200 years it served as a base for the British Navy. Visit English Harbour to tour the restored Georgian dockyard, ruined forts and hilltop lookouts. Bask in the glorious sunshine at the laid-back beaches decorating the coastline.

Immerse yourself in colonial heritage at Nelson’s Dockyard, the former naval marina on the harbor’s western shores. Admire the one-time storehouses, restored to their 18th-century appearance and now the site of art galleries, boutique hotels and restaurants. Learn about Antigua’s maritime importance at the Dockyard Museum, housed in a building that was Horatio Nelson’s home from 1784 to 1787. Follow a short trail to the ruined Fort Berkeley and enjoy superb views across the bay to the Pillars of Hercules.

Walk 20 minutes west from the dockyard to Pigeon’s Point Beach, a quiet beach overlooking Falmouth Harbour. The mild, transparent water is great for refreshing swimming and snorkeling. From here another trail leads to secluded Windward Bay Beach.

On the harbor’s eastern side, Galleon Beach offers more swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing opportunities. Marvel at the panoramic island views at Shirley Heights, a lookout, restaurant and old military barracks accessible via the Lookout Trail. The Carpenter Rock Trail is a scenic walking route between the lookout and Galleon Beach. Take a guided tour of the royal residence Clarence House and browse exhibits about the island’s past at Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre.

Indulge in a day of all-inclusive food, massages and watersports at Mamora Bay. In the town center, dine on Caribbean dishes at casual and fine-dining restaurants. Fungee (dumplings of cornmeal and okra) is a popular Antiguan dish.

Arrive in English Harbour on one of the cruise ships that dock at St. John’s. You can also fly to V.C. Bird International Airport from major cities in Canada, the U.S. and neighboring Caribbean islands.

The Ocean Inn
The Ocean Inn
3 out of 5
St. Pauls, English Harbour, Antigua
The price is $120 per night from Sep 22 to Sep 23
$120
per night
Sep 22 - Sep 23
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in English Harbour. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (83 reviews)
"It was very Good."

Reviewed on Sep 3, 2023

The Ocean Inn
Admiral's Inn and Gunpowder Suites
Admiral's Inn and Gunpowder Suites
3.5 out of 5
Nelson's Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua
The price is $210 per night from Oct 7 to Oct 8
$210
per night
Oct 7 - Oct 8
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in English Harbour. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Clarence House and Nelson's Dockyard ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (130 reviews)
100% Recommended! Superb stay
"First visit to Antigua and chose the Gunpowder Suites/Admirals inn for our stay. I’m so glad we did, the staff are amazing and nothing is too much bother they attend to your every need and more!"

Reviewed on Jul 23, 2023

Admiral's Inn and Gunpowder Suites
Copper and Lumber Store Hotel
Copper and Lumber Store Hotel
3 out of 5
Nelsons Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua
The price is $198 per night from Oct 15 to Oct 16
$198
per night
Oct 15 - Oct 16
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in English Harbour. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a marina. Popular attractions St Paul’s Anglican Church and Galleon Beach ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (134 reviews)
"Friendly and helpful staff. Historical and unique building in an historical harbor area."

Reviewed on May 27, 2023

Copper and Lumber Store Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
STARLIGHT: GORGEOUS VIEWS OF THE BEACH, FORT BERKLEY & MONTSERRAT
STARLIGHT: GORGEOUS VIEWS OF THE BEACH, FORT BERKLEY & MONTSERRAT
English Harbour
Stay at this beach apartment in English Harbour. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Galleon Beach and Carpenter's Rock ...
10/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
Lovely Stay!!
"Very relaxing! Very secluded! Just Wonderful for a couple looking to relax!"

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2023

STARLIGHT: GORGEOUS VIEWS OF THE BEACH, FORT BERKLEY & MONTSERRAT
BEACH, BEACH, BEACH + PRIVATE POOL = YIPPEE!
BEACH, BEACH, BEACH + PRIVATE POOL = YIPPEE!
English Harbour
Stay at this beach villa in English Harbour. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Galleon Beach and Carpenter's Rock Trailhead ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (36 reviews)
Lovely!
"This property is just as described. We enjoyed it very much and appreciate the attentive manager. Everyone is very friendly around Galleon beach and English and Falmouth Harbour. The view is stunning and beautiful every evening."

Reviewed on Sep 3, 2023

BEACH, BEACH, BEACH + PRIVATE POOL = YIPPEE!
2 beds, A/C, Amazing Views, Sandy Galleon Beach, English Harbour, WIFI, TV
2 beds, A/C, Amazing Views, Sandy Galleon Beach, English Harbour, WIFI, TV
English Harbour
Stay at this beach cottage in English Harbour. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Carpenter's Rock Trailhead and Galleon ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
4 nights in paradise
"Our hosts were wonderful, the property was beautifully situated with an elevated view of Galleon Beach and English Harbor in a garden-like setting with bullfinches and banaquats friendly and interested. Just off of the property is a premier snorkeling beach, with nightlife on the beachfront. Within ..."

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2023

2 beds, A/C, Amazing Views, Sandy Galleon Beach, English Harbour, WIFI, TV
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of English Harbour

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
8
" "5 - Excellent 53.333333333333336%
4 - Good
6
" "4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 6.666666666666667%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 1, 2019

English Harbour has really gotten better in the past few years. Plenty of new restaurants and places to go.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 4, 2019

I'd go back in nanoseconds! Great weather; great food. Oh, and the wedding I attended was very nice.

4/5 - Good

Russ
Jan 22, 2019

Beautiful

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