Reasons Why You Should Visit Antigua And Barbuda

There’s a beach for every day of the year in Antigua and Barbuda, so the to-do list here revolves around the sand and sea. During the day, these islands are filled with sunbathers, swimmers, boats and sometimes even stingrays. Meanwhile, evenings are all about beachside sundowners and long lazy dinners with sea views. Here’s why Antigua and Barbuda should be on your holiday radar.

1. It’s kitted out for couples

Villa

The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are flecked with honeymoon-grade hotels. Resorts such as Cocobay in Saint Mary and Hammock Cove in Saint Philip are just for adults and come with features such as in-room jacuzzis, private plunge pools and double-ended bathtubs. Also, you’re never far away from a sunset or sea view when you holiday here – take it all in with a clifftop cocktail at Sheer Rocks.

2. There’s nothing plain about the sailing here

Natural Feature

The pristine and hard to reach beach in the Rendezvous Bay in Antigua.

With more than 153km (95mi) of crimped coastline, Antigua and Barbuda are best explored by boat. Multiple sailing tour companies operate across the islands; you just need to decide whether you’d prefer to travel by speedboat, catamaran or yacht. The best packages tend to include onboard barbecues, a few rum punches and a couple of snorkelling stops at spots such as the Pillars of Hercules and Rendezvous Bay – a beach that’s only accessible by boat or 4×4.

3. Become a conch connoisseur

Cafe, American

Spain, England and France have all had a presence in Antigua and Barbuda over the years, and each place has left its mark on the country’s cuisine. Tuck into everything from escargot (edible snails) to curried shrimp. If you’re into seafood, don’t leave without trying the conch – a national dish best served with a mound of rice and peas and a side of fried plantains.

5. There are 365 beaches

Natural Feature

There’s a beach for every day of the year in Antigua and Barbuda. Some options, such as Dickenson Bay and Runaway Beach in St John, are more animated than others. The sands here are backed by restaurants and bars; water sports are readily available in the sea. If you’d prefer a more people-free beach, try Darkwood or Turners Beach in Saint Mary. Whichever one of the 365 you choose, you can count on sand that’s blonder than Barbie’s hair.

6. There are almost 200 types of birds

Natural Feature

Frigate bird colony in the Codrington lagoon, Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda, West Indies, Caribbean, Central America

The birds of Antigua and Barbuda are confetti colourful. There’s the green-throated carib that’s the colour of a mermaid’s tail and the native Barbuda warbler with its sunshine-yellow breast. Then there’s the frigate bird, with its Porsche-red neck that blows up like a balloon in mating season. To get a really good look at the frigates, book a sea-taxi tour to Codrington Lagoon with an experienced guide.

7. The cricket will bowl you over

Stadium

Cricket is Antigua and Barbuda’s national sport. While you’ll see locals playing it on the beaches, the best place to catch a live game is at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, a 15-minute drive from St John’s. There’s a bar called Island B-Hive on-site and plenty of food vendors in the stadium, so you can drink cool Wadadli beers and munch on local snacks as you listen to the bats swack on the pitch.

8. The views are spectacular

Bar, Authentic

The former military lookout at Shirley Heights is 149m (490ft) above Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour. On clear days, you can see all the way to Montserrat. Most people take a taxi to the top, although you can follow a thigh-burning walking trail up from Nelson’s Dockyard if you’re feeling energetic. Visit at sunset to watch the sky turn the harbour water the colour of clementines, or visit from 4pm on Sundays to enjoy a steel band and barbecue.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.