Instructions - how to get to Nelson's Boatyard from the ship

[Emmeline-Mary]

If you are going to arrive in Antigua by cruise ship and want to make your own way to the famous Nelson's Boatyard then this is what you should do.

 

Exit the port and walk directly ahead as far as Market Street. Turn right along Market Street and when you get to the fork in the road bear right into Valley Road. The bus station is on the right. Look for the bus sign for Nelson's Dockyard or better still ask someone which bus it is. They're all minibuses. The bus doesn't leave till all the seats are full so you could be in for quite a wait but its great for people watching, The fare is about one and a half dollars each, each way and its about a 45 minute journey. Try and have near enough the right money as change is often given in Eastern Caribbean dollars. Nelson's Dockyard is the end of the line so you'll know when to get off. Obviously the return journey is the reverse of this. Cheaper than taking the ship's trip there and perfectly safe.

 

[SarahT]

I fully agree, we have done this a few times and found it very easy. The bus is number 17 and departs when full or approximately every 20mins. When waiting for a bus at Nelsons dockyard we've found them to run every 20-30mins. There is no air-con but the windows open, however it can get quite hot, especaily when stationary.

[TTEllis]

On 3/14/2020 at 6:18 AM, Emmeline-Mary said:

If you are going to arrive in Antigua by cruise ship and want to make your own way to the famous Nelson's Boatyard then this is what you should do.

 

Exit the port and walk directly ahead as far as Market Street. Turn right along Market Street and when you get to the fork in the road bear right into Valley Road. The bus station is on the right. Look for the bus sign for Nelson's Dockyard or better still ask someone which bus it is. They're all minibuses. The bus doesn't leave till all the seats are full so you could be in for quite a wait but its great for people watching, The fare is about one and a half dollars each, each way and its about a 45 minute journey. Try and have near enough the right money as change is often given in Eastern Caribbean dollars. Nelson's Dockyard is the end of the line so you'll know when to get off. Obviously the return journey is the reverse of this. Cheaper than taking the ship's trip there and perfectly safe.

 

Yep, excellent information. Only way to go. 

[mpdog42]

• Thanks for the info OP!!!...The tours just don't give you enough time at Nelson's to appreciate the history

[Cruising Cindy Lou]

Can you walk from the Dockyard to Shirley Heights?  Or would that be a big undertaking?

[njhorseman]

16 minutes ago, Cruising Cindy Lou said:

Can you walk from the Dockyard to Shirley Heights?  Or would that be a big undertaking?

"A big undertaking" is an understatement.

They're a few miles apart and Shirly Heights is at the top of a hill while Nelson's Dockyard is at sea level so you have a substantial uphill climb in addition to the length of the walk.

[Cruising Cindy Lou]

36 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

"A big undertaking" is an understatement.

They're a few miles apart and Shirly Heights is at the top of a hill while Nelson's Dockyard is at sea level so you have a substantial uphill climb in addition to the length of the walk.

Thank you for info.  Last time we rode bus and walked to Deep Bay beach.  Was trying to find something new to do this time.  

[tring]

Anyone know how easy and costly it would be to get a taxi to Nelson's Dockyard?  We have been on a ship's tour and want to return to spend more time there, but walk/bus will be quite a challenge for me.

 

[PORT ROYAL]

3 hours ago, tring said:

Anyone know how easy and costly it would be to get a taxi to Nelson's Dockyard?  We have been on a ship's tour and want to return to spend more time there, but walk/bus will be quite a challenge for me.

 

Taxi Fares ……https://www.antiguanice.com/v2/documents/Taxi and tour fares - ABTB final.pdf

Outward driver will be pleased to be booked for the timed return.

 

[tring]

43 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

 

Taxi Fares ……https://www.antiguanice.com/v2/documents/Taxi and tour fares - ABTB final.pdf

Outward driver will be pleased to be booked for the timed return.

 

 

Thanks a lot, much appreciated, booking a return may be a safer bet, but will we have to book for the return, or might we be able to pick up a taxi back when we want to leave? 

 

We were thinking we may be up to getting a bus back if time is not limited, as I tend to feel a bit better as the day progresses and we could likely find a bar near to the bus station on St John's, then stroll back down to the port at leisure.

 

Edited October 11, 2023 by tring

[PORT ROYAL]

2 minutes ago, tring said:

 

Thanks a lot, much appreciated, booking a return may be a safer bet, but will we have to book for the return, or might we be able to pick up a taxi back when we want to leave? 

 

We were thinking we may be up to getting a bus back if time is not limited, as I tend to feel a bit better as the day progresses and we could likely find a bar near to the bus station on St John's, then stroll back down to the port at leisure.

 

Taxis available…… No problem 

People have mentioned that on the journey back by bus, it’s sometimes frightening to watch the Lemming rush and urban gorilla war fare (elbows out etc), of those wishing to board from beach stops.  Bus drivers have been known to deliberately stop short of, or past, a stop.

 

There are good bars within the secure port area.

[Traveler60plus]

On 10/11/2023 at 2:31 PM, PORT ROYAL said:

 

Taxi Fares ……https://www.antiguanice.com/v2/documents/Taxi and tour fares - ABTB final.pdf

Outward driver will be pleased to be booked for the timed return.

 

Can I take a taxi from the cruise port to Shirley Heights, enter there and then walk down to the dockyard? Thank you

[PORT ROYAL]

9 hours ago, Traveler60plus said:

Can I take a taxi from the cruise port to Shirley Heights, enter there and then walk down to the dockyard? Thank you

The taxi segment from the port is easy.  Although one has never undertaken the walk, according to Google it’s quite a way.  G says 1 hour, but in reality it could be almost 1.5 hours walking in the heat/sun.

 

Edited December 22, 2023 by PORT ROYAL
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