Exclusive Antigua Culture and History Tour

Enjoy this exclusive small group tour to Antigua's beautiful and historic South Coast. Smaller groups allow for more personalized visits of locations including Shirley's Heights, Dow Hill Interpretation Center, and Nelson's Dockyard.

English Harbour, Antigua's historic district, is focused on the 15 square miles of Nelson's Dockyard National Park. Developed as a base for the British Navy in the great age of sail, the harbor served as the headquarters of the fleet of the Leeward Islands during the late 18th century.

Although the dockyard was greatly expanded at that time by Horatio Nelson, it was gradually abandoned in the nineteenth century and was closed in 1889. Today Nelson's Dockyard has been completely restored, and it is now the only Georgian dockyard in the world.

Further above the harbor, at Shirley's Heights, are the partially-restored fortifications of the harbor's colonial observation post; the view from Shirley Heights extends out over the harbor and far across the Caribbean to neighboring islands.

Dow's Hill Interpretation Center is a place visitors can watch an impressive multimedia presentation of Antigua's history from its initial settlement to independence. Observation decks at Dow's Hill provide another fine view of the harbor and the ruined fortifications of Fort Berkeley, located on the far side of the bay.

Enjoy a lovely day with us as we travel the beautiful Southern Coast of the Island through the lush and natural rain forest. Smell the fresh fruits as we stop at the Pineapple Farm. Feel relaxed and comfortable in an air-conditioned bus on this small group tour of Antigua.

Please Note: The National park admission charge ($15 US per person) is not included and must be paid on the day of the tour.

St. Kitts Island Highlights

Your St. Kitts Island Highlights Tour is chock full of interesting sites and informative background. It begins in the capital city of Basseterre. Founded in 1627 by the French, it served as capital of the French colony. By 1639, the town had become a large, successful port and was made the capital of the entire French West Indies colony, which included the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.

When the British took control of the island in 1727, the city was made capital of the island. On your St. Kitts Highlights tour, you will see the British influence in the Georgian architecture, cobblestone streets, and the squares and monuments.

The city of Basseterre has had a tragic history, having been destroyed repeatedly by colonial wars, fire, earthquakes, floods, riots and hurricanes. Despite this, a considerable number of well-restored buildings still exist in downtown Basseterre.

Next on your St. Kitts excursion, you will visit Caribelle Batik, set on the grounds of Romney Manor. Using ancient Indonesian methods to keep the dye from reaching the material, Caribelle has created many designs for which they have become associated. During your St. Kitts excursion, you will see the artists demonstrating the techniques while you listen to an explanation from one of the experts. Then it's on to Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fort is a monument to the ingenuity of the British military engineers who designed it and to the skill, strength and endurance of the African slaves who built and then maintained it. It is one of the best-preserved historical fortifications in the Americas. At the fort, a video presentation on the fortress is shown. This magnificent fortress, sitting impressively atop 38 acres of limestone and sulfur composites, is the result of 100 years of slave labor and has endured many wars fought between English, French and Spanish troops for its control.

From the fortress, your St. Kitts tour will return to the pier via the Basseterre Caribbean Sea coastal road.

Soufriere Piton Waterfalls & Volcano Tour in St. Lucia

There's so much to see at scenic Soufriere, from the Piton Waterfalls to the "drive-in volcano," and we're ready to take you to it while avoiding as many public crowds as possible!

After boarding your air-conditioned van for your St. Lucia Volcano tour, you'll depart the ship pier and pass through Castries, St. Lucia's capital. Enjoy the spectacular views as you head south and wind along the scenic West Coast Road.

You will make a quick stop at the famous Marigot Bay to admire the beautiful scenery and have a chance to take some photos.

Along the way you will see St. Lucia's largest banana plantation and several quaint fishing villages. At the banana plantation guests will have a chance to learn about how bananas are grown and harvested and will also get to enjoy some fresh banana.

Before starting your hike you will drive through the fishing villages of Anse La Raye and Canaries where you will be able to view the waterfront before stopping in the rainforest. A stop will be made to hike to the one of the most popular waterfalls in the area. With your guide you will enjoy a short, uphill walk with a few steps to reach a beautiful breathtaking waterfall. During your visit, you can enjoy a refreshing bath in the natural swimming pool.

Your next stop is at the Soufriere volcano, referred to as the "drive-in volcano." A short, easy walk in the rainforest will take you to a point where you will see (and smell) sulfur springs bubbling up from below. As your knowledgeable guide informs you about this Soufriere volcano you'll also have a bit of time to admire the pots of boiling water that are multicolored at the surface as a result of sulfur, iron, calcium oxide, copper oxide, magnesium, carbon and other minerals within the water. For those interested, mud baths are available at the sulfur springs for an additional fee of $6 US per person (not included). As you wind your way through the island's hills, photo stops will be made of the rugged landscape including the island's famous Pitons, two volcanic plugs that rise dramatically 2,500 feet into the sky. They are both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

During your drive, a stop will be made at a local bakery for a snack, such as bread with cheese, local jam, or salt fish. A cooler of water, soft drinks, rum bunch and beer is on board your vehicle for your enjoyment. Depending on the season, you may have the opportunity to sample some of the island's fresh fruit on your drive back to the pier.

Please Note: Roads on St. Lucia are in various levels of disrepair/repair. Because of this, guests must expect there will be stretches of bumpy riding. If you have neck, back or hip issues, you should take this into account. The tour covers a wide area of the island and there is a lot of driving required. For those interested, mud baths are available at the sulfur springs for an additional fee of $6 US per person (not included).

Snorkeling with Turtles & Half Day Sail Excursion

Climb aboard a Morgan 46-foot ketch for this half-day sail and snorkel St. Thomas excursion to the Marine Sanctuary, where you'll have a date with a giant green sea turtle.

To begin your St. Thomas excursion, you will sail past the cruise ships as you head for the open sea on a 25-minute boat ride. You may choose a seat in the center cockpit, designed for shade and to provide a firsthand view of how a beautiful boat is sailed. Or, if you want to soak up the Caribbean rays, spread out on the bow or the stern and relax while breathing the refreshing ocean air. The professional and courteous crew will greet you with complimentary drinks and snacks as the sails are raised and we catch the breeze. The crew has been on the island for years and will share some of the history and pirate lore during your three-mile sail to the sanctuary at Buck Island.

After the yacht anchors in Turtle Cove, the crew will offer professional instruction, quality snorkel gear, and the best flotation devices in the entire U.S. Virgin Islands. Then, follow the crew into the water, where they will assist and explain all the different species of sea life that you encounter. In addition to the turtles, you may see octopus, conch, urchins, starfish, squid, and a variety of tropical reef fish, as well as the coral reef of this deserted island during your one hour of snorkeling.

After your snorkeling and swimming, climb back on board for a quick, freshwater rinse on the aft deck. Then partake in a cold beverage including rum drinks, beer, and soft drinks, as the crew sets the sails and turns towards home.

Please Note: The tour departure location is within walking distance of the WICO (Havensight) Cruise Pier. Guests docking at Crown Bay will need to hire a taxi for an approximately 15 to 25 minute ride (approximately $6 US per person each way), which is not included in the tour price.