English Harbour

Travel Guide

Mamora Bay featuring general coastal views, a beach and landscape views
Mamora Bay featuring tropical scenes, general coastal views and a luxury hotel or resort
Nelson\'s Dockyard featuring a bay or harbor and general coastal views
Nelson\'s Dockyard
Shirley Heights showing a bay or harbor, landscape views and general coastal views

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 DockyardOpens in a new window, 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 BeachOpens in a new window, 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 BeachOpens in a new window offers more swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing opportunities. Marvel at the panoramic island views at Shirley HeightsOpens in a new window, 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 HouseOpens in a new window 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 BayOpens in a new window. 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’sOpens in a new window. You can also fly to V.C. Bird International Airport from major cities in Canada, the U.S. and neighboring Caribbean islands.

Admiral's Inn and Gunpowder Suites
Admiral's Inn and Gunpowder Suites
3.5 out of 5
Nelson's Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua
$234 nightly
The price is $280 total per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
$280 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in English Harbour. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (160 reviews)
"Stunning"

Reviewed on May 5, 2025

Admiral's Inn and Gunpowder Suites
The Ocean Inn
The Ocean Inn
3 out of 5
St. Pauls, English Harbour, Antigua
$109 nightly
The price is $136 total per night from Jun 23 to Jun 24
$136 total
Jun 23 - Jun 24
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in English Harbour. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (124 reviews)
"Lovely little hotel right in English Harbour - we spent our first night in Antigua here and loved it. Great location, beautiful views - everyone was very friendly and helpful - would definitely recommend- thank you, great start to an awesome holiday…"

Reviewed on May 5, 2025

The Ocean Inn
South Point Antigua
South Point Antigua
4 out of 5
Falmouth Harbour, English Harbour, Antigua
$366 nightly
The price is $434 total per night from Jul 22 to Jul 23
$434 total
Jul 22 - Jul 23
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in English Harbour. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (71 reviews)
"Stunning place. close to the centre but away from it all. Stunning views from rooms. Rooms large, well equipped and v comfortable"

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2025

South Point Antigua
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.
Galleon Beach Resort
Galleon Beach Resort
3 out of 5
galleon beach, English Harbour, Saint Paul
Stay at this 3-star beach cottage in English Harbour. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Galleon Beach and Carpenter's Rock ...
Galleon Beach Resort
Antigua Village Beach Resort
Antigua Village Beach Resort
3 out of 5
Dickenson Bay, St. John's, Antigua
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in St. John's. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (375 reviews)
"Love that we were right at the beach! Property definitely need some upgrades especially to the rooms but overall everything was good"

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Antigua Village Beach Resort
Dickenson Bay Oasis Antigua Village
Dickenson Bay Oasis Antigua Village
3 out of 5
Marina Bay Road, St. John's
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in St. John's. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Dickenson Bay Beach and Sir Vivian ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (41 reviews)
"This property was clean and comfortable I would surely stay here again and recommend to others."

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2025

Dickenson Bay Oasis Antigua Village
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of English Harbour

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 53%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 7%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

4/5 - Good

Russ

Beautiful

Cities near English Harbour