Antigua And Barbuda: A Tropical Paradise Worth Visiting?

Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation in the Caribbean, known for its pink and white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and friendly locals. The islands offer a range of activities, from snorkelling and beach hopping to exploring historic forts and colonial vestiges. With 365 beaches to choose from, visitors can enjoy a variety of water sports, including jet skiing, sailing, and snorkelling. The islands also boast lush, mountainous settings and unique wildlife, such as the Antiguan racer snake, found only in Barbuda. Antigua's capital, St. John's, offers a bustling city experience, while the islands' resorts provide relaxation and indulgence. The best time to visit is between December and April, when the weather is dry and sunny, although this is also the busiest and most expensive time. Overall, Antigua and Barbuda is a great destination for those seeking a mix of adventure, culture, and Caribbean charm.

Antigua's 365 beaches

Antigua is famous for its 365 beaches—one for each day of the year. Most of these beaches are nestled in the tranquil, protected waters of the island's Caribbean coast and are open to the public. Here is a selection of some of the best:

Half Moon Bay

The National Park of Half Moon Bay, located on the southeast corner of the island, has been voted the best beach in the world several times. Its semi-circle of pristine white sand, stretching 3,200 feet, is arguably Antigua's most beautiful. A reef near the beach's northern end keeps the waters calm, making them ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The middle and southern ends offer choppier waves for bodysurfing and wakeboarding. Half Moon Bay is a 40-minute drive from the capital and is a favourite spot for locals and tourists alike.

Ffryes Beach

Ffryes Beach, located on the south-western coast, offers crystal-clear waters and light, powdery sand, often referred to as "sugar sand" by locals. The beach is over a mile long, providing ample space for morning jogs and sunbathing. It is also a great spot for swimming, though the waves are not ideal for watersports. On clear days, you can see the neighbouring island of Montserrat from the southern end of the beach. There are several restaurants nearby, including Dennis Cocktail Bar & Restaurant, which serves local and international dishes.

Fort James

Fort James, a beach on the northwestern shoreline, is a local haunt due to the absence of beachfront resorts or luxury hotels in the area. The relative seclusion makes it ideal for horseback riding. You can ride along the soft white sand up to the ruins of the 18th-century fort, which still houses a full complement of cannons. There are also several beachside restaurants offering local seafood dishes, including Millers by the Sea, BeachLimerZ, and Russell's.

Hawksbill Bay

Hawksbill Bay, on the west coast of the island, is named for protruding rocks that resemble a hawksbill turtle, the island's national marine animal. There are four grey-sand beaches: Royal Palm Beach, Sea Grape Beach, Honeymoon Cove, and Eden Beach, the last of which is the island's only nudist beach. The beaches offer serenity and spectacular views of offshore grass-covered rocks, as well as good opportunities for snorkelling.

Morris Bay

Morris Bay is a snorkeler's paradise, with an abundance of coconut palms providing shade and a top-notch picnic spot. Nearby is Cades Reef, a 2-mile-long reef that is home to southern stingrays, multicoloured wrasses, nurse sharks, and more. Morris Bay is about a six-minute walk from Curtain Bluff, a boutique resort that provides free snorkelling gear and twice-daily snorkelling trips for guests.

Dickenson Bay

Dickenson Bay, on the island's northwestern coast, is a hub of oceanfront development, with several resorts and busy bars. It is ideal for social butterflies and those seeking a bustling, resort beach experience. The warm, shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea are perfect for swimming, and there is a variety of beachfront restaurants. Paradise Reef, a mile-long coral garden, is just a 10-minute boat ride away, offering snorkelling opportunities to see parrot fish, lobsters, and other marine life.

Long Bay

Long Bay, situated on the easternmost point of the island, is sheltered by a nearby barrier reef, resulting in calm, crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Blue tangs and eagle rays are commonly spotted here. The beach is a short walk from two luxury resorts, Verandah Resort & Spa and Pineapple Beach Club, which offer free snorkelling gear to their guests.

The Barbuda Express

Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island paradise, with Antigua's 95 miles of coastline and Barbuda's protective reefs, large lagoon, and Frigate Bird Sanctuary. The Barbuda Express is the perfect way to travel between the two islands and explore all that they have to offer.

The day tour offered by the Barbuda Express is a great way to experience the beauty of Barbuda. The tour includes a visit to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, a boat trip to the pink sands of the lagoon, a short tour of Codrington, and an "al fresco" lobster lunch. You'll also have time to relax, swim, or snorkel before returning to Antigua.

Antigua's English heritage

Language and Place Names:

English is the official language of Antigua, a legacy of its history as a former British colony. This makes communication easy for English-speaking visitors and reinforces the island's ties to the United Kingdom. The British influence is also evident in the pronunciation of the island's name, "an-tee-gah," as opposed to the Guatemalan city with the same name, which is pronounced "an-tee-gwah."

Historical Sites:

Antigua is home to several historical sites that showcase its English heritage. One notable example is Nelson's Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in English Harbour. The dockyard served as a safe haven for the British Royal Navy during the 18th century and was named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was stationed there from 1784 to 1787. The site includes historic buildings, a working marina, and a museum that showcases artefacts from its heyday.

Forts and Military Structures:

Antigua is dotted with forts and military structures built by the British during their colonial rule. These include Fort Berkeley, which protected the entrance to English Harbour, and Fort James, named after King James II of England, which defended Deepwater Harbour and St. John's. These forts, along with others like Fort Barrington, offer a glimpse into the island's military past and provide panoramic views of the surrounding areas.

Architecture:

Antigua's architecture also reflects its English heritage. The Great House, a former plantation house turned boutique hotel, is an example of Georgian architecture with its honey-coloured Cotswold stone construction. The building has been meticulously restored, showcasing the luxurious lifestyle of the wealthy plantation owners during the colonial era.

Cultural Influences:

Antigua's culture has been influenced by its British colonial past as well. Cricket, for example, is a popular sport on the island, and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, named after the Antiguan cricket legend, is a testament to this. Additionally, the island's culinary scene includes dishes like "saltfish and fungi," the national dish of Antigua, which is reminiscent of polenta or mashed potato and is often served with cured, dried fish.

The island's cuisine

Antigua and Barbuda's cuisine reflects the islands' history and melting-pot creole culture. The national dish is fungee (pronounced "foon-jee") and pepperpot. Fungee is similar to Italian polenta, made mostly with cornmeal. Other local dishes include ducana, seasoned rice, saltfish and lobster (from Barbuda).

Breakfast typically involves saltfish, flaked into pieces and sautéed with onions and peppers, alongside avocado, eggplant (also known as troba), eggs, and lettuce. Lunches usually include a starch like rice, macaroni or pasta, with vegetables or salad, an entree (fish, chicken, pork, or beef) and a side dish such as macaroni pie, scalloped potatoes or plantains.

Dinners may include pork, baked chicken, stewed lamb, or turkey, with rice, macaroni pie, salads, and a local drink. Dessert may be ice cream, cake, apple pie, or gelatin.

Local drinks include mauby, seamoss, tamarind juice, raspberry juice, mango juice, lemonade, coconut milk, hibiscus juice, ginger beer, passion fruit juice, guava juice, soursop juice and ginger beer. Alcoholic drinks include Wadadli beer, malt and rum, with the latter often being made locally.

• Black Pineapple: Antigua is famous for its black pineapple, a sweeter variety with golden fruit and lower acidity than other pineapples.
• Conch: The meat found inside spiral shells that wash up on the beaches, conch is slightly chewy and similar to clams. It can be prepared in curries, fritters, chowders, and ceviches.
• Susie's Hot Sauce: A local hot sauce business, offering a huge variety of flavours, from the extremely spicy "Scorpion" sauce to the sweet and mild "Pineapple Passions".
• Rum Punch: A favourite drink of the island, made with high-quality rum, lime juice, and cane sugar.

Antigua's sailing scene

Another historical sailing spot is Falmouth Harbour, Antigua's original British settlement. It has become a thriving hub for the yachting community, with three large marinas and an expansive boat yard.

For those seeking a more relaxed sailing experience, there are numerous options for chartering a sailing boat for the day or half-day excursions.

The best sailing weather is between December and May, which is also peak travel time. However, even in the off-season, the weather is usually around 80°F.

There are numerous mooring options, from simple anchorages to full resorts and marinas. Dickenson Bay is perfect for overnight stays, with a protected anchorage and plenty of stores and shops ashore. Nonsuch Bay is safe and sheltered, but tough to navigate due to narrow passes and reefs. For a historical experience, Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour is a full-service marina and the only surviving 18th-century naval dockyard in the world.

Frequently asked questions