The Location – Villa Waves Antigua

This stunning open plan villa is a vacationers dream for the perfect family get away due to its amazing location in the heart of English Harbour and just steps away from all of the busy restaurants and bars in the popular thriving area.

Constant hillside breezes with sea views of Clarence House, Shirley Heights, Nelsons Dockyard and even Freeman’s Bay (Galleon Beach). Just a short walking distance to the popular “Boom” by Admirals Inn restaurant and all of the wonderful attractions that English Harbour has to offer such as an abundance of international Restaurants and Bars, Antigua Yacht Club Marina and shops, Falmouth Harbour, and grocery stores.

It’s a beautiful villa in an unrivalled location.

Villa Waves is only a few minutes walk from all the facilities, day and night life of English Harbour and the marina. Exceptionally close to “Boom” restaurant and a short walk to historic Nelson’s Dockyard now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our favourite walking distance restaurants:

Abracadabra (Italian)

Boom (Lunches & Cocktails)

Colibri (French/International)

Club House (Sushi & Steak)

MAIA South Point (Asian/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern)

Five Senses (French)

Indian Summer (Indian)

Los Cabrones (Mexican)

Paparazzi (Pizza)

Ti Lolo (Modern European)

Trappas

Flatties Flame Grill

Lucky Eddi’s (Sports bar venue & Live Music)

That’s Life (Pub grub, Bar snacks)

Roquita (Tapas & Wine Bar with a roof top terrace serving cocktails on tap)

5 minute drive:

Catherines’s Cafe at Pigeon Beach (French)
Incanto (Italian)
La Brasserie (French)
Loose Cannon at Galleon Beach (European/Mediterranean).

Amenities within walking distance:

Tennis Courts & Sports Bar, Live Music (Lucky Eddi’s)

Fully equipped gym and yoga classes at Energie gym (weekly membership)

Covent Garden (Grocery store)

Antigua Yacht Club (weekly pass)

Sailing lessons (National Sailing Academy)

Scuba diving – SOUL Immersions

Pharmacy

Daily yacht charters, Deep Sea fishing

Hair dressing and Spa treatments

Liqour Stores (Premier Cru Beverages & The Cork & Basket).

Car Rental companies

Abracadabra (Restaurant & Nightlife)

Activities within a short drive:

Springhill Riding club

Rainforest canopy tour (zip wire)

Stingray City

18-hole golf course (Cedar Valley)

Hiking trails

A great way to explore the natural beauty of Antigua is by Hiking one of its many trails. The Island offers some easy sight seeing walking trails as well as some intermediate level trails for hiking in some remote and wild areas. Many of the hiking trails provide amazing scenic views of the Island and Caribbean Sea.

Most of Antigua’s hiking trails are located near Nelson’s Dockyard National Park and Shirley Heights, although there are a number of trails amid the rolling hills and volcanic formations of the rain forest area called the “Green Corridor”. Located in the Southwest of Antigua, this more remote area includes the Wallings nature reserve, Christian Valley as well as Mount Obama, the islands highest Peak at 1,330 feet above sea level.

For further information and a 365 hiking trail downloadable guide.

Beaches

You will need a bit of time if you plan on visiting each of Antigua’s best beaches – if you visited a different one every day, it would take an entire year to sample all of Antigua’s sugar-white sandy beaches. Yes, the island may have only 54 miles of coastline, but it boasts 365 beaches! And don’t think it’s all quantity and no quality. Many of Antigua’s best beaches are found on the protected Caribbean side, and all are open to the public. Some of our favourites are listed below:

Pigeon Beach – Located on the southeast coast of the island, Pigeon Point Beach is perfect for visitors staying near the marina, as it is walking distance from the town of English Harbour. Aside from the gorgeous coastline, there’s also an ideal selection of dining options flanking either end of the beach. Head to Bumpkins Bar for a Pina Colada, or check out Catherine’s Cafe for a sunset meal overlooking the water. The beach is popular with locals and visitors alike and is a reliably popular destination for snorkeling as well.

Long Bay Beach – No guide to Antigua‘s beaches would be complete without including Long Bay Beach. Unquestionably, it’s one of the island’s finest beaches. The sand is almost blindingly white, like someone poured out a billion sugar shakers. The water is exceptionally clear and calm, especially at the eastern end where even toddlers could safely roam the shoreline without the fear of being barreled over by waves. There’s even good snorkeling near the beach’s reef, which you can actually walk out to! There are several restaurants including Mama Pastas, resorts including Grand Pineapple, and even a clutch of tiny shops selling local goods.

Half Moon Bay – Half Moon Bay is world-famous for being one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with a 3,200-foot white-sand crescent shoreline. Located a 30-minute drive from English Harbour, the scenery will be well worth the drive, however, as you arrive at the gorgeous crescent coast, its white-sand beach surrounded by cliffs. For an all-natural spa treatment, visitors should head to the lower cliffs and use the all-natural ingredients of your surroundings to indulge in an Antiguan mud-bath. Exfoliating and (ultimately) refreshing, once you rinse off in the Caribbean Sea.

Dickenson Bay Beach – Situated on the northeast coast of the island of Antigua, Dickenson Bay Beach is a very happening spot. Whether you’re interested in frequenting bars, restaurants, hotels, or water-sports facilities, Dickenson Bay has you covered. Plus, it comes ready-made with an Instagram shot next to the red telephone booth. What more could a socially active and social media-aware traveler want at the beach? Well, aside from the gorgeously clear water and luxuriously soft sand that is readily available at Dickenson Bay Beach, as well as nearly every other on the Twin Islands, of course.

Ffryes Beach – Located on the southern end of the island is Ffryes Beach, which is immediately distinguishable from other beaches in Antigua by the expansiveness of its shores. The soft white-sand coastline is undisturbed by the presence of hotels or resorts, making for a peaceful environment. This secluded environment only enhances the charms of Dennis Beach Bar & Restaurant, a local beachside institution. Plus, when the skies are blue, and the clouds are clear (which is a typical day in the Caribbean), sunbathers can see across to Montserrat, a neighboring island to the southeast of Antigua.

Galleon Beach – Galleon Beach is located in English Harbour, Antigua. This beach is pristine and uncrowded, and it is popular for snorkeling. Go to the left side of the beach for the best snorkeling. Once there, you won’t have to venture far to see fascinating aquatic life – just a few meters from the shore will be enough.

Jolly Beach – Jolly Beach is considered by many to be one of the best beaches in Antigua. If you plan to visit more than one beach during your vacation, this can be a great place to start. This beach is located in Jolly Harbour, on the western side of Antigua. As Jolly Beach is on the side of the island framed by the Caribbean Sea, you can expect calm conditions on most days.

Shirley Heights

Shirley Heights is a restored military lookout and gun battery. The Lookout is a high point (about 490 ft.) that affords a superb view of English and Falmouth Harbours, the best view in Antigua. The view is especially spectacular at sunset and early evening when all of English Harbour is all lit up.

The reason they chose this location is easy to understand. A spectacular view over English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour greets your eyes, showing you the scene that is often used as the iconic image of Antigua. A visit to Shirley Heights is considered one of the must do events in Antigua. The buildings have been adapted to function as a restaurant and bar and its famous Sunday evening party is always a hit.

Drive up to Shirley Heights and stroll around the old military fortifications. You can view breathtaking scenic landscapes at 360 degrees.
This military complex, within a short distance of Nelson’s Dockyard, is not named after the fairer sex, but after Sir Thomas Shirley, Governor of the Leeward Islands, who strengthened Antigua’s defenses in 1781. Britain had lost all her West Indian colonies (including North America) at this time except Antigua and Barbados. Much effort, therefore, was put into Antigua’s defenses, mainly because of the island’s great sugar producing value and the important Dockyard.

The view from Shirley Heights is a perfect setting to watch the sunset. If you watch closely for that split second as the sun sets behind the ocean, you may see that moment a green jet of light covers the horizon known as the Green Flash and is something that only the luckiest viewers and photographers have ever managed to capture on camera or in their memories.

Shirley Heights Iconic Party – From 4pm until 10pm every Thursday & Sunday, party until the sun goes down on another week with drink, a barbecue, local bands playing a mixture of Caribbean flavored music and international hits from over the decades whilst overlooking one of the most stunning views in the world. Both a favorite with the locals and tourists, this is the perfect crowd to meet new people and make friends for life. Trust us, it will be a night you will never forget.

Sightseeing & Photography – The Lookout. This high point (about 490 ft.) affords a superb view of English and Falmouth Harbors, the best view in Antigua. The view is spectacular, especially at sunset and early evening when all of English Harbor is all lit up.

Sports & Leisure – The walk to the top is steep and challenging but a great way of exercising. If you are into running, this offers a perfect opportunity for some climate training, but it is advised to go either early in the morning or at sunset as in the heat of the day it is very easy to get dehydrated. There is also the Lookout trail which runs from Galleon Beach to Shirley Heights is challenging and an off-road type walk, however, if you are up to the challenge, it is a fascinating walk and climb through the wildlife and plants that scatter the area. Check our hiking section for more details. Galleon Beach is also a great destination for relaxing and chilling out after your exercise. Check our beaches section for more details.

For more information visit Shirley Heights website. Best Restaurant & Bar in Antigua & Barbuda – Shirley Heights Lookout

We highly recommend checking out the very informative website: Antigua and Barbuda Caribbean Vacation travel and tourism holiday information guide (antiguanice.com) which will provide you with updated information on the island as well as latest news, contact information for local businesses and restaurants, tours and excursions, car rental information and much more.