I am trying to organize a relaxing day on Antigua - 2 couples off a cruise ship (February), getting in a taxi with a driver that will take them to Nelson's Dockyard for a while and, on the way, tell them about the island, the sites, etc., then to Devil's Bridge for a picture, then Long Bay Beach for a few hours, then back to the ship. We don't want to spend a lot of time in the car (more than to the sites noted) and would prefer hours around 9:30/10:00 until 3/4:00.

Questions

1. Do we get one taxi driver to hang with us for the day and if so, does anyone have a recommendation of a favorite driver?

2. How much should we expect to pay for 4 of us?

3. Is there a public rest room/changing room, chair rentals on Long Bay Beach somewhere specific?

4. Should we do the beach first or Nelson's?

5. Does this sound like a good way to spend a relaxing day on Antigua - knowing we will miss many sites, are we hitting the right ones or would you recommend something else?

6. Can you pick up touristy trinkets at Nelson's Dockyard?

Any and all advice welcome and appreciated!
Happy Holidays!

I'd say that you have a good itinerary planned. Bear in mind that Nelson's Docokyard will be really full of people, especially if there is another cruise ship in port at the same time. You'll pass through a few stands of vendors selling touristy shirts, jewelry and and other typical mementos. Shops within the Dockyard will offer both touristy trinkets as well as some "better" items.

Definitely get one taxi driver to quote you a rate for giving you the full day tour. My friend Kenneth Charles, alas, is no longer able to drive because of his ailing eyesight--he was a marvelous taxi driver and story teller!

If you wanted to skip beach time and save that for a different island, my only other suggestion would be to make a reservation at Harmony Hall for lunch--it's a fabulous little Italian place out on the east coast, set up on the bluffs overlooking a bay. They have an art gallery and small gift shop on site and their bar is a converted old sugar mill. It's extremely expensive (bet on US $50/person for lunch, including drinks and tip), but really excellent. Emphasis on seafood and the Italian tradition of lingering over one's meal with grappa and cappucino. The price of lunch also earns one passage on their private boat out to Green Island for beach or sunning time.

Long Bay is my favorite beach on the island (I always stay at Long Bay hotel when I'm there) and there are vendors who will rent chairs to you for the day as well as snorkeling gear. I don't know about umbrellas.

You'll have your choice of around 3 places to eat lunch if you're so inclined. One is the local beach bar next to the Long Bay Hotel. It's small and green and offers good prices on burgers, sandwiches, etc. Long Bay Hotel's own Beach House offers a very good lunch. They're more expensive than the beach bar but they have more to offer and more comfortable surroundings. If you start a tab with them, they will let you use their bathroom facilities for changing bathing suits and such. Best rum punch on the island is offered here--they make it from scratch, not a mix like most other places.

The other choice for lunch is right next to the Grand Pineapple resort. Just climb up the stairs from the beach. I've never been there so I can't say a thing about prices or food.

ejcrowe - as usual, you're awesome, thanks. I don't think $50 per person is bad at all if it includes the trip out to Green Island. I will run this by my friends and we'll make a plan.

Can your friend Kenneth recommend someone we can ask/call for? And do you have an idea of (ball park) what it might cost us?

Are the restaurants you mention on Long Bay reasonable walks or should we plan to be dropped off at or near them?

Is there a time of day better to go to Nelson's (before/after beaching?)?
Thanks so much!

Okay, let's see if I can answer your questions...

If you do choose Harmony Hall, be aware that it is about a 45 minute drive away from the cruise ship dock. It's absolutely essential to make lunch reservations ahead of your cruise--when you email them (their website is www.harmonyhall.com), ask them about their boat schedule out to Green Island. I don't remember whether they run on demand or on a schedule, so if you want to take advantage of spending most of the day there, be sure to find out. It's been two years since I was on Antigua and lunching at Harmony Hall, so it's possible things have changed a bit. I don't know if they have a dress code for lunch, but just a cover up over a bathing suit would be inappropriate attire, in my opinion. I would wear street clothes, not beach clothes. They do have a nice bathroom for changing into a bathing suit.

The beach at Long Bay is pretty small, maybe 1/4 mile long. No restaurant would be more than a few minutes' walk away. All three are right on the beach and are informal enough that you could just put a cover up on over your bathing suit and be fine for eating there.

Now I don't know for certain, but I would suspect that getting a local taxi driver and stopping at Nelson's Dockyard first thing might help you avoid the crowds that will be taking the cruise line excursion to the Dockyard.

I'll check to see if I can track down Kenneth's cell phone number and give him a call. If I can't find it, you might want to post on the Antigua forums on Trip Advisor to inquire for taxis. I know of one man there called the Tie Man who has a good reputations, but I have no idea what his real name is or how to contact him.

Thanks. I did post on TripAdvisor also (same initial post) and the first person to respond also suggested Kenneth So I'm hoping for other names and will probably post a separate message specifically for taxi driver recommendation.

Thanks again.