Harbour Heights

In 1704, the British Royal Navy began building English Harbour, which lies within the natural safe haven of bays on the southwestern coast of the Caribbean island of Antigua. The construction carried on for much of that century, with what is now known as Nelson’s Dockyard eventually becoming a famous navy base. Little did General Shirley know that the garrison built atop the 500ft promontory overlooking the harbour would become the preeminent party venue of modern Antigua. Every Thursday and Sunday, the ruined fort at Shirley Heights is a cacophony of reggae, steel drums and rum-soaked camaraderie. The sunset viewpoint is arguably Antigua’s finest, and a pilgrimage for the emaciated ocean rowers competing in the 3000 mile annual race across the Atlantic, which starts in La Gomera and ends so fittingly in English Harbour.