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.

Barbados Harrison's Cave Tour

For those interested in a shorter excursion focusing on the island's premier attraction, the Barbados Harrison's Cave Tour is exactly the right choice. Setting out from the pier area, you will travel to the middle of the island and the magnificent Harrison's Cave. The drive takes approximately 30 minutes.

At the cave, you will board electrically operated trams that will take you through the extensive system of caverns while experienced guides will give you historical information. The Barbados Harrison's cave is truly a phenomenon of nature. There are amazing galleries of stalactites hanging from the roof of the cave, and stalagmites reaching up from the ground, with emerald pools and pillars where they have joined over thousands of years. The dramatic lighting will enhance your visit. Depending on crowds, your time in the cave is approximately 35-45 minutes. There is also a 20-minute video you can watch either before or after the Barbados tour (depending on the wait to get in the cave).

After your cave tour, you will rejoin your transportation for the 30-minute drive back to the pier.

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.