We returned 3-10-14 after 10 days at the Halcyon. This happened to be during cricket with the UK vs West Indies which made things at our resort and at all of the other resorts I presume, to be quite hectic. Once the cricket-teers left, things settled down. We stayed in a beach front room #382 upper floor with a balcony as requested. The room, bed, pillows, shower, and cleanliness all met our expectations. We do not choose all inclusive normally due to not wanting to eat at the same venue for extended periods of time but the price at the Halcyon with very good drinks and average food included was cheaper than our next choice without anything included. The regular staff was all very friendly and pleasant to talk with, the trainees need additional guidance from the senior staff.
For us, a car is always essential and was well used on this trip. Shirley Heights, Half Moon Bay, Nelson’s Dock Yard, Jolly Harbor, Jacquie O’s, Long Bay, several forts and Saturday market, were all fun.
Excellent four hour fishing trip with Captain Rivi on the Pacific Marlin out of Jolly Harbor produced five Barracuda, two King Fish, two Black Fin Tuna, and a good size Mahi Mahi, highly recommend Captain Rivi and mates!
Walk or drive to the Clouds (closed restaurant) just up the hill to the left as you leave the resort for a wonderful view.
Definitely take a snorkel trip with Splish Splash at the North end of Halcyon beach. Ashton gave us a wonderful trip to Paradise Reef. Ashton is by far, the most knowledgeable person regarding all aspects of the local ocean ecology and it was really a pleasure to be with him for a few hours. This trip was far better than the Wadadli catamaran trip to Cades reef (stiff currents with a big crowd). Ashton will not offer you a rum punch but he will educate you on things that matter if you love to snorkel as we do. Get the rum punch for free at the hotel when you return. Good luck Ashton on your six week rowing trip to the Canary Islands (you must have big ones if you know what I mean).
We found the nightly entertainment to be very entertaining. Not cheesy at all (except for Karaoke night). We really did appreciate the hard work that was put in to all of the shows. Sunday nights are quiet due to most people going to Shirley Heights.
Dinner at the Warier Pier was unremarkable; dinner at Coconut Grove was excellent.
Day trip to Montserrat was an eleven hour day with just 4.5 hour tour including lunch, but was well worth it (Jenny’s tour with ferry from Saint John’s). Be sure to bring your departure ticket, passport and a pen, you will need to fill out plenty of paperwork for immigration and customs.
We wish that we had taken a kayak to just around the corner to a couple of private beaches that we did not know were there until after our Splish Splash trip, then it was too late for us. You will hear Michael on the beach, he is selling trips Prickly Pear, wish we had done that as well but ran out of time.
