If you want to see Antigua on your own, doing an Antigua ATV tour by yourself is a great way to do that. Keep reading to see the best things to do in Antigua by ATV!
Antigua is a magical island, and when we booked our cruise, we knew we didn’t want to get a standard tour around the island in a van, we wanted to experience it as freely as possible. The options were either an ATV or a scooter, and the ATV just sounded like a better idea. Keep reading to hear how we spent our day on Antigua on our self-driven ATV tour!
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HOW TO RENT AN ATV?
Renting an ATV in Antigua isn’t the easiest thing to do unless you want a guided tour. There are plenty of local companies that organize ATV tours, but that wasn’t what we wanted. We really wanted the flexibility to visit wherever we wanted and stay as long as we liked at each spot.
There aren’t many companies that offer self-drive rentals, but we found one — D-Ifill ATV Rentals and Tours. They picked us up at the cruise port, brought us to their shop, and we got our ATV rental there. We had it for the whole day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., when they close.
To rent an ATV, you need to be over 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. You can book online in advance or at least reserve your ATV. I’d highly recommend doing that since walk-ins are sometimes available, but during high season it’s unlikely you’ll get one without a prior reservation.
The rental cost was $110, plus the gas you use, but we spent about $10 on gas for the whole day. It’s best to bring cash, as paying by card comes with extra fees, so cash will save you a bit.
You’ll get a quick driving instruction, helmets (which you must wear), and then you’re free to explore the island! We had a great experience with D-Ifill, and I’d definitely recommend renting from them.
OUR SELF-DRIVEN ANTIGUA ATV TOUR:
Our first stop: JOLLY BEACH
The first stop of the day (and honestly, my favorite) was Jolly Beach. This stunning location on Antigua’s west coast is the kind of beach you dream about. It’s super long, with soft white sand and crystal-clear blue water. The sea was perfectly calm, and since we visited before the official start of the season (we were there on November 1st), there were hardly any people around.
Besides just being beautiful, Jolly Beach also has some amenities to enjoy. One side is reserved for a resort, but most of the beach is free for everyone. You can bring your own towel or rent sunbeds. We chose the beds, and they were only $15 for two beds and a parasol. We also treated ourselves to fresh coconuts, $5 for a regular one and $7 for one with rum!
There are also restrooms and showers, and parking is pretty close to the beach which is convenient. There are a few local bars and restaurants, as well as stands with locals just selling drinks, barbecue, free wifi and basically whatever comes to mind. We spent a few hours here and those were our favourite hours on the island!
Our second stop: FFRYES BEACH
After fully enjoying Jolly Beach, we headed to Ffryes Beach, which is just a few minutes away. This beach is another peaceful, picture-perfect spot on the island. It has the same soft white sand and calm, crystal-clear waters, but it’s a lot quieter than many of Antigua’s other beaches. It was even less busy than Jolly Beach when we visited. During high season, it does get a bit livelier, but still never too crowded.
There’s free parking nearby and a few amenities like restrooms, beach chairs, and umbrellas for rent. You’ll also find Dennis Cocktail Bar & Restaurant and Ffryes Beach Bar, both great options if you want to enjoy some local food and a cold drink with ocean views. We stopped here just for a short while to take in the scenery, but it’s definitely the kind of beach where you could spend the whole day relaxing.
Our third stop: DARKWOOD BEACH
Our final beach stop was Darkwood Beach, just a quick 3-minute ATV ride from Ffryes Beach. This beach is another beautiful spot, with crystal-clear water, soft white sand, and plenty of space to relax. There are some rocky and reef areas in the water, which make it especially great for snorkeling.
Even though it’s located right by the road, it’s surprisingly peaceful. There’s limited parking available, a few restaurants along the beach, and sunbeds and umbrellas for rent at reasonable prices. We didn’t swim here, just took a nice walk and enjoyed the views, but it’s definitely a place I’d love to return to!
Our fourth stop: SHIRLEY HEIGHTS
After enjoying the beaches, we took a long but beautiful ATV drive to Shirley Heights, one of Antigua’s most famous viewpoints. The ride took about 40 minutes from Darkwood Beach, and it was quite easy to navigate since the island doesn’t have many roads. You’re basically on the same one most of the way.
Shirley Heights was once a military lookout in the 18th century, and today it’s a popular historic spot and an absolutely breathtaking viewpoint. The entrance fee is $15 per person, which also includes access to the Blockhouse viewpoint and Nelson’s Dockyard. There’s parking available right by the viewpoint, and even a small bar where you can relax with a drink while enjoying what’s probably the most beautiful view on the island.
Our fifth stop: THE BLOCKHOUSE
Next, we drove to the Blockhouse, which is located just down the road from Shirley Heights. This is another fascinating historic site, built in the late 18th century as part of Antigua’s coastal defense system. It once housed soldiers and cannons that guarded the entrance to English Harbour.
Today, you can walk through the old stone ruins and enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and even the distant island of Montserrat. There’s a small parking area, and a few locals selling drinks and water nearby. We didn’t spend too much time here, just enough to take in the amazing views and snap a few photos.
Our sixth stop: NELSON’S DOCKYARD
Our final stop was Nelson’s Dockyard, one of the most iconic and historic landmarks in Antigua, located in English Harbour. It’s the world’s only remaining Georgian-era naval dockyard still in operation, and it’s absolutely lovely. It was built in the 18th century and once commanded by Admiral Horatio Nelson, but today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can walk through the old stone buildings, visit museum exhibits, and admire the beautiful yachts docked in the marina. The entrance is included with the same ticket as Shirley Heights, so there’s nothing extra to pay. There’s parking, along with restaurants, shops, and guided tours that help you learn more about the island’s naval history. It’s a really charming place! You can see everything in about 30 minutes, or stay longer to enjoy a drink or lunch at one of the lovely restaurants overlooking the harbour. We enjoyed the Dockyard Museum and a short walk around the harbour.
CONCLUSION: HOW DID WE ENJOY OUR ANTIGUA ATV TOUR?
We actually really enjoyed our Antigua ATV Tour. The island is absolutely stunning, and seeing its nature, local villages, and coastline while driving an ATV was such a unique experience. All of our stops were amazing, but Jolly Beach was definitely our favourite.
Keep in mind, though, that the roads aren’t always in perfect condition. Antigua isn’t as developed as some other islands so make sure you have a confident driver who’s comfortable handling an ATV. Otherwise, go for it! It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip and such a fun way to explore the island.
