Barbuda's Trade Winds: A Tropical Paradise's Weather Secret

Barbuda is an island in the eastern Caribbean that is part of the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda. It is located about 30 miles (48 km) north of Antigua and has a population of 1,634. The island is mostly flat, with a few lagoons and an elevated plateau in the east. The climate is tropical marine, which means there is little seasonal temperature variation. The primary industries in Barbuda are tourism and fishing, with the central and local governments being the largest employers. The island has a rich history, dating back to the first inhabitants who were canoe-driving hunter-gatherers around 3,000-4,000 years ago. Today, Barbuda is known for its pristine beaches and natural attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkelling, fishing, and caving.

Barbuda's location and climate

Barbuda is an island in the eastern Caribbean that, along with Antigua, forms the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda. It is located approximately 30 miles (48 km) north of Antigua. The island is quite flat, with the western portion dominated by Codrington Lagoon and the eastern portion dominated by an elevated plateau. The climate in Barbuda is tropical marine, which means there is little seasonal temperature variation. The average daily high temperature ranges from 27 °C (81 °F) in the coolest months of January and February to 30 °C (86 °F) in the warmest months of July and August.

The only settlements on the island are Codrington, the largest town, and its surrounding localities. With a population of 1,634 and an area of 62 square miles (160 km2), Barbuda is one of the most sparsely populated islands in the Caribbean. The island has a population density significantly lower than Antigua.

Barbuda is susceptible to hurricanes between the months of August and October. In September 2017, the Category 5 Hurricane Irma devastated the island, destroying more than 90 percent of its buildings and forcing the evacuation of the entire population to Antigua. However, by February 2019, most residents had returned to Barbuda.

The island's history of human settlement

The first inhabitants of Barbuda were hunter-gatherers who arrived by canoe around 3,000–4,000 years ago. These early settlers, sometimes referred to as the Ciboney or Siboney, introduced the use of tools and agriculture to the island. Artifacts from this Archaic period include cutting blades made from gastropods, as well as hoes, picks, and water containers constructed from conch, trumpet, and whelk shells.

Over time, the island was also inhabited by the Arawak and Kalinago. The Arawaks, who were present on Barbuda from at least 1,000 BC, likely arrived from present-day Venezuela and Guyana. They used the island for brief stays or seasonal supplies, living mostly in the easternmost parts of the island, including the Barbuda Highlands and Spanish Point. The Arawaks introduced agriculture to Barbuda, cultivating sweet potatoes, corn, peanuts, cotton, tobacco, and various fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants. They also made intricate pottery, known as Saladoid, decorated with white-on-red designs and crosshatching.

The Kalinago people, who called Barbuda Wa'omoni ("Island of Herons"), visited the island occasionally to harvest seafood and crops. By the time the Europeans arrived, they had probably displaced the Arawaks.

In the early 17th century, the Spanish were the first Europeans to settle on the island, followed by the French and English, who formed a colony in 1666. In 1678, Barbuda was colonized by the British, who established the island as a slave-breeding colony. In 1685, Barbuda was leased to brothers John and Christopher Codrington, with the latter establishing the first large sugar estate in Antigua in 1674. The Codringtons attempted to transfer some of their slaves from Barbuda to Antigua, but this proved unsuccessful. During this period, several slave rebellions took place on the island, with the most serious occurring after emancipation in 1834-35.

In 1834, slavery was abolished in Barbuda, and the Barbudans continued autonomous cultivation on communal property. In 1859, Barbuda was annexed as a dependency of Antigua, becoming subject to the laws of the Antigua colony. The island gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1981, becoming part of the modern state of Antigua and Barbuda.

The impact of Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma was a devastating tropical cyclone that wreaked havoc on the island of Barbuda, leaving lasting impacts that underscored the storm's catastrophic nature. Here is an overview of the far-reaching consequences of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda:

Devastation of Housing and Infrastructure

Hurricane Irma's eyewall passed over Barbuda near its peak intensity, unleashing ferocious winds that levelled roofs, fences, power poles, and lines, and toppling trees. The storm's extreme winds ripped through buildings, leaving 90-95% of the island's structures damaged or destroyed. This included essential facilities such as the hospital, schools, and hotels. The storm's impact rendered the island's airport, water, and telecommunication services inoperative, further complicating relief efforts.

Loss of Life and Displacement

The hurricane claimed three lives on the island and left deep emotional scars. One resident, Sasha Lewis, recounted the tragic loss of her friend's two-year-old son, Charles Francis Jr., whose house was ripped apart by the winds. Up to two-thirds of Barbuda's 1,500 residents were forced to evacuate to nearby Antigua, seeking shelter from the storm's devastation and the impending Hurricane Jose.

Environmental and Ecological Concerns

Hurricane Irma's impact extended beyond human residents, raising concerns about the storm's effects on wildlife. The island's only endemic bird, the Barbuda warbler, faced an uncertain future, with its population already less than 2,000 individuals before the hurricane. The storm also inundated Barbuda's Codrington Lagoon, home to the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Caribbean.

Economic Fallout and Recovery Needs

The destruction from Hurricane Irma resulted in significant economic losses for Antigua and Barbuda. Forensic disaster analysts estimated that the economic losses for the two islands would exceed $120 million. The recovery needs were substantial, with a total of US$222.2 million required. Of this amount, US$79.6 million was earmarked for repairing or replacing houses, as 45% of the houses in Barbuda were left uninhabitable. Even smaller recovery needs, such as US$0.35 million for the water and sanitation sector, were urgent, given that all water sources on Barbuda were contaminated by the storm.

Tourism in Barbuda

Part of a three-island state with Antigua and uninhabited Redonda, Barbuda is often described as Antigua's "sister" island. It is known for its beaches, which are natural, often sprinkled with pink sand, and miles long. The island features a large lagoon, a deep blue Atlantic coast with wild beaches full of driftwood and shells, and a Caribbean Sea coast with pink sand beaches perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The Caribbean Sea coast also offers plenty of opportunities to see animals, fish, and birds in their natural habitat.

Barbuda's population of approximately 1500 live in the only village of Codrington. The island is 15 miles long and 8 miles wide, and is rocky and very flat. Much of the island is covered in impenetrable bush, and there are unmarked roads and tracks to most of the beaches. The recent construction of large-scale developments, particularly on the south coast, threatens Barbuda's rural way of life and risks damaging the coastline forever.

Barbuda is not known for its nightlife or tourist attractions. Instead, it offers a place to relax, slow down, and meet local people. Visitors can stay in great-value, friendly village guest houses or luxurious beachfront rooms. There are also beach hotels, beach suites, exotic hotels, and snorkelling resorts.

Some popular attractions in Barbuda include:

• Princess Diana Beach
• Frigate Bird Sanctuary
• The Caves at Two Foot Bay

The island's unique wildlife

Barbuda is a wildlife paradise. Its small population, large areas of undeveloped land, and pristine coastline make it the perfect habitat for hundreds of species of birds and animals, many of which are now lost or endangered elsewhere in the Caribbean. The island's once-intact natural environment has been disturbed by large-scale development, but Barbudans have always fought to preserve it.

Barbuda is home to nesting sea turtles, and their tracks can be seen on almost every beach along the coastline. The island is also a haven for birds, including the osprey, the roseate spoonbill, and the Barbuda warbler, which is unique to the island. Other bird species found in Barbuda include the red-tailed hawk, the anhinga (also known as the snakebird or American darter), and the Antiguan ground lizard.

In addition to its rich bird life, Barbuda is also home to a variety of other animals, including guinea birds, donkeys, cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats. These free-range, semi-feral animals belong to Barbudan farmers and small-holders who have maintained a sustainable balance with nature for hundreds of years.

The waters surrounding Barbuda are home to some amazing marine life, including the sperm whale, the green sea turtle, and the common bottlenose dolphin. The killer whale, or orca, is also found in these waters and is known for its stable social groups and intelligence.

The island also has its share of unique insects and invertebrates, including several species of endemic moths, beetles, wasps, crickets, spiders, and snails.

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