Antigua day tour: Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley's Heights & beach

The van itself is air-conditioned, and drinks come on board as you drive.

A guided day tour of Antigua visiting Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley's Heights and a local pineapple farm, with rum punch and fruit punch served during the drive. The tour runs four to five hours from hotel or port pickup, includes stops for photos and local vendor visits, and ends at a beach with a restaurant and bar. Groups run from two to fourteen travelers, and the guide speaks English, Spanish or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Antigua historical sites and beach visit

• Enter air conditioned van
• Receive history lesson from guide
• Visit local vendors and souvenir shops
• Tour Nelson's Dockyard
• Stop at Shirley's Heights for photos
• Pass through rainforest
• See Antigua Black Pineapple farm
• Sample pineapple if available
• Relax at beach with restaurant and bar
• Return to pick up location

The experience

The tour starts the moment you board the air-conditioned minivan at your hotel or cruise port, where your guide gives a brief history of the island as you head toward the first stop. You'll visit local vendors selling handcrafted souvenirs, then move on to Nelson's Dockyard (the restored naval station that anchors Antigua's colonial past), and Shirley's Heights, the hilltop garrison overlooking the harbor. The van stops periodically for photos along the way, and you pass through the rainforest to see how Antigua black pineapples are grown. If they're in season, you get a sample.

The day ends at a beach with a restaurant and bar where you can sit, eat if you want to, and take in the view before heading back to your pickup point. Rum punch and fruit punch travel with you the whole time, so there's always something to drink as the guide talks. The whole outing runs between four and five hours, which means the main sites fit into a single afternoon without feeling rushed.

What’s included

• Private tour with pickup and drop-off from your hotel or cruise port.
• transport in an air-conditioned minivan.
• a live guide speaking English, Spanish, or French.
• rum punch and fruit punch on board.
• stops at Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley's Heights.
• a visit to a working pineapple farm with a sample if available.
• local vendor visits for handcrafted souvenirs.
• and access to a beach with a restaurant and bar at the end of the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Audio guideGerman and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by chris platinum tours

Is this one for you?Pick your tour language (English, Spanish, or French) to match your group's preference.

Traveler reviews

4.52★★★★★★★★★★

27 verified traveler reviews

5 ★19

4 ★6

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

What is Nelson's Dockyard and why does the tour stop there?

Nelson's Dockyard is Antigua's restored naval station from the colonial era, now a working harbor and museum. It's the centerpiece of the island's maritime history and sits at the heart of this tour's historical route.

Does the tour include food, or just the drinks on board?

Rum punch and fruit punch come with you on the van. The tour ends at a beach restaurant and bar where you can order meals and drinks if you choose, but food is not included in the package price.

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Yes. At the time of booking, provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time so the guide can time your return to the port.

What is the Antigua black pineapple, and will I get to taste one?

Antigua black pineapples are a local variety grown on the island. The tour passes the farm where they're cultivated, and if they're in season and available, you'll get a sample.

How many people can book this tour together?

The minimum is two people per booking and the maximum is fourteen, so it stays small enough for the guide to give real attention to the group.