Overview St. John's is the capital city of the country Antigua and Barbuda, and is located on the island of Antigua. It's the island's main port, and is where cruise ships dock. St. John's is included as a port of call on many Caribbean cruise itineraries, especially on Southern Caribbean cruises.
Located in the West Indies, Antigua is the largest of the Leeward Islands and has become very developed as a result of its upscale tourism business (with many resorts and hotels located along its coastline), as well as the offshore banking and internet gambling industries.
Antigua was under British control for a while. As a result of this, there are many British influences evident in their culture.
Destinations St. John's is included on several Caribbean cruise itineraries.
Cruise Lines Departing Here
St. John's is not a cruise departure port.
Currency The official currency of Antigua and Barbuda is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD). Many places on the island will accept U.S. Dollars as well. In fact, many tourist-geared businesses will list their prices in U.S. Dollars. Using a credit card (when possible) is always a great way to avoid the headache of having to exchange currency.
Language The official language of Antigua and Barbuda is English, but many of the locals also speak Antiguan Creole and Spanish.
Tourist Attractions There are a ton of beaches in Antigua. In fact there are so many beaches that locals claim that there is one beach on the island for each day of the year! Half Moon Bay is considered by many people to be the best beach in Antigua. It's a white-sand beach that is about a mile long, located along the island's eastern coast. Another popular beach is Dickenson Bay, located in the northwest portion of the island. Galley Bay Beach is a great, and popular, surfing spot. A great snorkeling spot is Paradise Reef, located about a mile north of Dickenson Bay.
Most of the good shopping in St. John's is located around St. Mary's Street and High Street. Be aware that the laidback island lifestyle allows for the shop owners to close early many days. There is duty free shopping on this island, enticing tourists to spend their money more freely. Heritage Quay is the first-ever shopping and entertainment center in Antigua. Aside from the various stores, there are restaurants and a food court.
Most of the nightlife in Antigua can be found at the hotels. Many of the hotels will host a steel band, one of the most popular forms of music in Antigua. The Grand Princess Casino is probably the most popular gambling venue. 18 Carat, located on Lower Church St., is a very popular dance club and bar in Antigua.
The city's skyline is quite beautiful, and it's hard not to notice the white towers of St. John's Cathedral, located between Long Street and Newgate Street. Nelson's Dockyard National Park is one of the most popular attractions on the island. It's a restored British colonial naval station.
There is a popular public marketplace in St. John's. If you go there you'll find fresh fruit, flowers, as well as various arts and crafts. It's open on Saturdays.
There are several museums in St. John's, including the Museums of Antigua and Barbuda and the Museum of Marine Art.
Port Location Cruise ships dock at Heritage Quay in St. John's. There are ATMs, shopping and restaurants within walking distance of the port.
