Shirley Heights at a glance
Shirley Heights is a high point in the south of Antigua with a view over both English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour. The lookout is a restored military observation post and gun position. A restaurant and event space now runs there, and the hill is best known for its Sunday evening party.
The hill belongs to the same landscape as Nelson's Dockyard. UNESCO describes the narrow bays, the surrounding heights and their fortifications as one naval base, built and run with the knowledge and labor of enslaved Africans. Standing here, you see why the ships chose this harbor.
Shirley Heights Lookout: the view
From the lookout you see English Harbour on one side and Falmouth Harbour on the other, with bays and hills around them. On a clear day it is an easy place to understand how the two harbors sit next to each other. Many visitors come in the late afternoon, when the party begins.
Do not mix up the lookout with the Blockhouse. The National Parks Authority lists the Blockhouse as a separate historic site with ruins and coastal views. The lookout is the operated venue with the restaurant and the events.
The restaurant hours are shorter on some days than the party hours, as the table below shows.
Our picks: Shirley Heights
A sunset party with transfer and two island tours that stop at the lookout.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Island highlights tour with black pineapple tasting
A drive with stops at the Dockyard, Shirley Heights, the Blockhouse and Devil's Bridge, plus a rainforest route, transport and water or drinks. The listing is unclear about entry fees, so check before booking.
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Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights tour
An air-conditioned ride with a guide to the Dockyard, Shirley Heights, the Blockhouse, Devil's Bridge and Valley Church Beach. Entry fees, including Nelson's Dockyard, are not included.
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Shirley Heights sunset party with transfer
Return transfer with a driver-guide, one rum punch and sightseeing on the way. Entry, food and any further drinks are not included.
Check availability →Antigua tours that include Shirley Heights
Island tours, sunset trips and boat days from English Harbour and across Antigua, with live prices and availability.
Sunday party, Thursday event and restaurant hours
Hours as published by the venue operator. Check the day before you go, because events can change.
| Day | What | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Sunday Night Party with steel pan and local bands, barbecue and drinks on offer | 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | Reggae Heights | 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. (see note) |
| Monday | Restaurant closed | – |
| Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday | Restaurant open | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Thursday | Restaurant open | 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. |
| Sunday | Restaurant open | 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
The venue lists Thursday events every week. A 2026 island guide lists Thursday events only from December to April, so do not count on a Thursday event in the other months. Food and drink are offered at the party, but nothing says they are included in the entry price.
The Monday closure applies to the restaurant. It does not mean the whole historic hilltop is closed on Mondays.
Entry and what you pay
Two different tickets are in play: the national park ticket and the price for the party.
The park ticket
A National Parks Authority advertisement in the 2025 island guide listed $15 for a ticket that covers Shirley Heights, Dow's Hill Historical Centre and Nelson's Dockyard. An older price of $8 is out of date. The advertisement gives no 2026 adult price, child age limits or discounts, so confirm the current price at the gate. See the Nelson's Dockyard page for the Dockyard side of the ticket.
The party price
The venue does not publish a price list on its pages. Guest reviews from February 2026 mention both $10 and $15 at the gate. Treat both figures as unconfirmed and ask about the current price before you go. Do not assume that the park ticket also covers the Sunday party.
Booking
Check the venue's events page for the current booking rules before a Sunday visit. Tour operators also offer trips that include Shirley Heights with transport, which can be easier if you do not want to drive. The tour block above shows current options.
Getting to Shirley Heights
The events page of the venue links road directions and offers transport information. No public bus is published to the lookout, so do not plan on a direct bus up the hill. The local minibus on the Antigua south route goes to English Harbour, which is a separate stop. Details are on the getting there page.
If you drive, traffic keeps left. Visitors need a temporary driving permit from the police or the car hire company. The German Foreign Office names about EC$50. The US State Department names about $20, valid for three months. The two figures are approximate and given in different currencies.
Use licensed taxis only, as the British Foreign Office advises, and plan your ride back before you go up. The German Foreign Office warns of robberies in quiet areas and on unguarded beaches after dark. After the party, return by arranged transport and not on foot. More in the safety guide.
Walking up and what to combine
Shirley Heights fits into a half day with the harbor sights.
A guided hike with the lookout on the route
A local hiking operator starts from Galleon Beach and combines Fort Charlotte, Mermaid Gardens and Shirley Heights. It lists 3 hours, $70 for adults and $40 for children under 12, at intermediate level. The Pillars of Hercules are part of it only when the weather permits. These are operator figures, so confirm the price when you book. More walks are on the hiking page.
Sailing Week and the lookout
Antigua Sailing Week 2027 runs from 21 to 25 April 2027, according to the organizer. An older spectator page names Shirley Heights as a viewpoint, but the race format changed to point-to-point in 2026. Spectator spots for 2027 are not confirmed, so do not count on watching races from the hill. See the Sailing Week page for the dates.
Before or after the Dockyard
Many visitors pair the lookout with a walk through Nelson's Dockyard and an evening at Galleon Beach. Combining Antigua with the Virgin Islands? The St. Thomas guide covers what to do there.
Plan the rest of your stay
Nearby places and guides.
Shirley Heights: frequently asked questions
When is the Shirley Heights party?
The venue operator lists the Sunday Night Party every Sunday from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. It also lists Reggae Heights on Thursdays from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., but a 2026 island guide lists Thursday events only from December to April.
How much does Shirley Heights cost?
The last park advertisement from 2025 lists $15 for a ticket that includes Shirley Heights, Dow's Hill and the Dockyard. For the party, reviews from February 2026 mention $10 and $15 at the gate. Confirm the current price before you go.
Is food included in the party entry?
No. Barbecue and drinks are offered at the party, but there is no statement that they are included in the entry price.
Is there a bus to Shirley Heights?
No public bus to the lookout is published. The local minibus route runs to English Harbour. Plan a taxi, a tour with transport or your own car, and arrange the way back.
Is the lookout closed on Mondays?
The restaurant is closed on Mondays. That does not mean the whole historic hilltop is closed. The Blockhouse is a separate historic site.
Can I drive myself?
Yes, with a temporary driving permit from the police or your car hire company. Traffic keeps left.