Best Beaches

[RogueMonk]

Will be on a cruise in January and want a beach day -- what are a couple of the best beaches in Antigua? Thanks.

 

Sorry if this is asked over and over -- all the information gets overwhelming!

[PORT ROYAL]

11 hours ago, RogueMonk said:

Will be on a cruise in January and want a beach day -- what are a couple of the best beaches in Antigua? Thanks.

 

Sorry if this is asked over and over -- all the information gets overwhelming!

What also does one also require from a beach visit, such as dining, ambience, lack of T'erds etc..  

As this will assist to determine the actual beach destinations to give one an excellent day.

 

Copy/Paste a previous post to assist in one’s decision.

 

If you wish a totally "T'erd free" experience with a Beach, then your list for considereration  is:

Jacqui O's

Cecilia's

Catherine's Café

Without a Beach then "Sheer Rocks" 

All at various price points - Book your Lunch/Day in advance for all.

 

For a luxury all inclusive option, then Curtain Bluff is the best, but do contact them in advance to discover if they have spare capacity.  Also, take a tour of the accommodation, for future  booking consideration.

 

For a lower price point, with just an occasional Herd experience, then consider Rum Bus (Probably with a vibe more suited to a teens or younger adults).  But Towles are now starting to discover it, being a new "Status" ego trip, considered to be more upmarket than their usual cheapo haunts, in addition a local public transport bus can be utilised.

Again, book Rum Bus in advance for Cabanas and your day.

 

 

 

 

 

[RogueMonk]

14 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

What also does one also require from a beach visit, such as dining, ambience, lack of T'erds etc..  

As this will assist to determine the actual beach destinations to give one an excellent day.

 

What I mean by best beaches in order of priority:

 

1.) Naturally beautiful (water, beach, beach area) with some shade.

2.)  Availability of chairs/umbrella, somewhere to eat (basics -- not expensive), maybe somewhere to change.

3.) Less busy, more queit and relaxing (but 1 & 2 are higher priority)

4.) Easy to get to from the cruise port.


Thanks!

[PORT ROYAL]

7 hours ago, RogueMonk said:

 

What I mean by best beaches in order of priority:

 

1.) Naturally beautiful (water, beach, beach area) with some shade.

2.)  Availability of chairs/umbrella, somewhere to eat (basics -- not expensive), maybe somewhere to change.

3.) Less busy, more queit and relaxing (but 1 & 2 are higher priority)

4.) Easy to get to from the cruise port.


Thanks!

One will not get “quiet and relaxing” at a place where food/drink is cheap, having lower priced beds and umbrellas, with basic services, being easy to get there by public transport, because the World of T’erds etc. have already discovered it.

The only place one could get some modicum of isolation is Turners.  

There is public transport, one will have to join a longish queue there and return (take a shared minibus for about $8 pp e/w + tip).  On arrival request, with a gratuity, to have the 2 chair/umbrella setup ($20) way outside the stalls area on one’s right on entry, away from the masses. But this does not remove “busy” from the scenario, when using bar/food/facilities.

 

[PORT ROYAL]

For the record.

Jacqui O's

Cecilia's

Catherine's Café

Are not ‘expensive’ per se.
They deliver a total upmarket ambiance experience for genteel and discerning cruisers, vacationers and locals, at a fair price for the quality delivered.

May one make a suggestion?  Take a look at Catherine’s menus and see what is being offered.  The prices are in Eastern Dollars.  For a quick calculation into USD, take the Caribbean Dollars, divide by 2, then deduct 25%.  Then look at a popular beach menu…. Compare……Then think…

[PORT ROYAL]

2 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

For the record.

 

Jacqui O's

Cecilia's

Catherine's Café

Are not ‘expensive’ per se.
They deliver a total upmarket ambiance experience for genteel and discerning cruisers, vacationers and locals, at a fair price for the quality delivered.

May one make a suggestion?  Take a look at Catherine’s menus and see what is being offered.  The prices are in Eastern Dollars.  For a quick calculation into USD, take the Caribbean Dollars, divide by 2, then deduct 25%.  Then look at a popular beach menu…. Compare……Then think…

Additional…. Contact Catherine’s and enquire about their day pass ( Caribbean $195) to be available from 10.30/11.00 am for the day of the visit.

Caribbean Dollars 195 equates to US$ 82.00 for 2 pax - A no brainer- Book early - No T’erds

 

https://catherines-cafe.com/summer-promotions-the-day-pass/

 

As January is considered part of peak season, Catherine’s could increase the price, but may not.  

 

 

Edited October 24, 2022 by PORT ROYAL
Link

[MissRabbit]

What if you’re looking for great snorkeling, calm waters and fairly easy access into the water?  Bathrooms would be nice too. 

[PORT ROYAL]

2 hours ago, MissRabbit said:

What if you’re looking for great snorkeling, calm waters and fairly easy access into the water?  Bathrooms would be nice too. 

To achieve every specific, then take a catamaran tour.    There is no “Great” snorkelling from any Antiguan beach.

[uktog]

I’m confused are all the places you suggest open again as Facebook and Tripadvisor are giving mixed messages. We want a quieter beach, chairs, access to drinks and toilets. Will want a reliable taxi transfer and a chilled out time not necessarily much time in the water. Thanks

[PORT ROYAL]

1 hour ago, uktog said:

I’m confused are all the places you suggest open again as Facebook and Tripadvisor are giving mixed messages. We want a quieter beach, chairs, access to drinks and toilets. Will want a reliable taxi transfer and a chilled out time not necessarily much time in the water. Thanks

With regard to mixed messages.  Agree, the lack of factual information from various third party sites can be confusing.
To assist, one gives websites containing contact details of the establishments, this will ensure the correct information is given to you directly by them, such as open dates/times etc..  it’s good to talk.

 

https://catherines-cafe.com

http://sheer-rocks.com

https://restaurantsnapshot.com/JacquiOsBeachHouse/ - https://www.facebook.com/JacquiOsBeachHouseAntigua/

 

https://highpointantigua.com

 

Book one’s lunch/day in advance.

 

 

 

 

[Lessofjess]

Does anyone know if someone has taken over Jacqui O's since it closed in June? We had such a wonderful time there and would have loved to go back. We're checking out the other recommendations listed above - but Jacqui O's was one of a kind.

[uktog]

17 hours ago, Lessofjess said:

Does anyone know if someone has taken over Jacqui O's since it closed in June? We had such a wonderful time there and would have loved to go back. We're checking out the other recommendations listed above - but Jacqui O's was one of a kind.

They are certainly not responding to emails 

[toad455]

Any good all-inclusive beaches in Antigua? Heard about Jolly Beach but getting mixed things on whether they're open and taking cruise passengers? Pineapple Beach Resort is another option but their prices appear very high.

[VineyardsGal]

Jolly Beach area is my favorite beach in the Caribbean.  Very quiet, white sand beach, turquoise warm water.  Last time there we went to Sandra's.  A small beach shack with very reasonable food and drinks with tables chairs....beautiful beach to take a walk!

[RogueMonk]

9 hours ago, VineyardsGal said:

Jolly Beach area is my favorite beach in the Caribbean.  Very quiet, white sand beach, turquoise warm water.  Last time there we went to Sandra's.  A small beach shack with very reasonable food and drinks with tables chairs....beautiful beach to take a walk!

Thanks! Do you take a cab from the cruise ship pier? Any idea on cost?

 

Do they rent loungers/umbrellas?

Edited December 18, 2022 by RogueMonk

[BEACHBARB]

What's Included Enjoy your resort pass anytime between 10:30 AM - 6 PM local time Unlimited continental breakfast, lunch and snacks Unlimited drinks (alcohol & non alcohol) Beach access, and 2 private pools Use of fitness center Lounge chairs and umbrellas by pool and on beach Poolside bars with swim-up bar Beach and pool volleyball Daytime entertainment programs for adults (daily) and children Non-motorized Watersports: windsurfing and kayaks Free WiFi in public area Bathrooms are available for changing Breakfast Lunch Snacks Bottled water Coffee and/or Tea Alcoholic Beverages Guest rooms/accommodations TOWELS are Not Included (Please bring one with you from the ship) Transfers to/from your cruise ship. Motorized water sports Lockers are not available so pack light Items of a personal nature including spa and gift shop

Read more about Antigua Shore Excursion: All-Inclusive Jolly Beach Resort and Spa Pass - https://www.viator.com/tours/St-Johns/Antigua-Shore-Excursion-All-Inclusive-Jolly-Beach-Resort-and-Spa-Pass/d22047-9444P31?mcid=56757

[SonuvaBeach]

On 10/22/2022 at 6:15 PM, RogueMonk said:

Will be on a cruise in January and want a beach day -- what are a couple of the best beaches in Antigua? Thanks.

 

Sorry if this is asked over and over -- all the information gets overwhelming!

You might want to check out Beach Limerz on Fort James Beach...great sandy beach, easy water entry with little to NO drop off, and a great restaurant/bar...

 

[VineyardsGal]

On 12/17/2022 at 7:15 PM, RogueMonk said:

Thanks! Do you take a cab from the cruise ship pier? Any idea on cost?

 

Do they rent loungers/umbrellas?

We were at Sandra's a few years ago.  Jolly Beach is so beautiful!  Getting off the ship walk to the taxi dispatch stand about two blocks from the end of the pier and they will assign you a driver. Then it was $16.00 US pp round trip which I am sure went up in price.  Recently I read you can rent chairs/umbrella/6 beers for $30.

On the other side of hilltop is another beautiful beach, Valley Church Beach.  They have a very Caribbean beach bar "The Nest".  I just read it is $20 pp round trip for taxi/$20 for chairs and umbrella.  Beautiful white sand beach with turquoise water.