Fishing on Your Cruise Stop in English Harbour
English Harbour: Historic Port, World-Class Fishing
English Harbour on Antigua's southeast coast is home to Nelson's Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Caribbean's premier yachting destination. The harbor also serves as a base for several sport fishing operations. It's about 30 minutes from the St. John's cruise terminal by taxi, but the trip is worth it for serious anglers.
The Fishing
English Harbour faces the open Atlantic, and the continental shelf drops off steeply just south of the island. Blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, wahoo, and tuna patrol these deep waters. The south coast reefs produce big yellowtail snapper, cero mackerel, and grouper on half-day bottom fishing trips.
What to Know
- Charter boats dock at Nelson's Dockyard Marina and Antigua Yacht Club
- Half-day offshore trips: $700-$1,200 (boats tend to be higher-end)
- Excellent marlin fishing from November through June
- The Antigua Sport Fishing Tournament runs each fall, drawing top boats
English Harbour caters to experienced anglers looking for a premium fishing experience. The boats are well-maintained, the captains are tournament-seasoned, and the south coast waters deliver big fish regularly.