Valley church beach is a popular destination for many. It has lovely water and good facilities. This attracts cruise passengers but also guests staying here.
About Valley Church Beach
The beach has the typical tiny grain type of sand (which I prefer) to the very soft sand that gets everywhere. The Nest is the name of the bar and restaurant on-site, and there are no other choices unless you drive to Dennis restaurant or West Coast Village or Jolly Harbour, all close by.
If you want to spend your Antigua visit for the day for cruise ship visitors then a taxi from St Johns dockside will run a family around $40 each way.
Valley Church Beach Crusie Ship Day
Image credit Daniel Duran
Location Map
Accommodations
Aerial videos of Valley Church Beach showing the beauty of the surrounding area including the resorts of Cocos Hotel which lies on the northern promontory and Coco Bay on the southern end. Wild Lotus Glamping offers a very unique way to stay here, not just for Antigua but the Caribbean region too.
Facilities
- Shower
- Beach Chairs
- Bar
- Restaurant
Reviews
The water is lovely and the sand is a little coarse. The restaurant has slow service but it's OK, this is Antigua. You need to rent your bed and umbrellas but they are fine. You get to use the shower by being a customer of the area. It is popular on cruise ship days. The water is mostly always pretty calm unless a storm has passed through.
If you want a great article on the best beaches of Antigua click here.
How To Get There
Taxi
You can get a taxi around 25 USD each way which is what the majority of people do. For speed comfort and convenience it is the best but most expensive way.
Self Drive
Look out for the signpost for The Nest on Valley Road which runs alongside the southwest coast. Heading south from Jolly Harbour Valley Church beach is just after the signpost for Cocos Hotel. You will find it tricky to get through St Johns- just exercise patience and keep it slow. Never feel rushed into making a mistake.
Bus
Bus from bus station in St Johns Guide here by LD Silver.
Take the #22 bus from the bus station which is a safe walk in the capital St Johns. Pay around $1.50 per person when you leave the bus. You can always ask the helpful locals on any of these points here.
Organised Tour
Viator has some options for shared transportation facilitating arrival and departure.
**Make sure you leave with a few hours to spare to get back so you don't miss your ship.
Media
Valley Church Beach 1
Valley Church Beach 2
Other Things To Mention
Some other beaches you could feel 'stranded' with a lack of shops and restaurants close by, an example being Half Moon Bay or Long Beach. But on cruise ship day you will be able to buy from vendors. Half Moon Bay also has a good restaurant by the parking.