Country guides
Caribbean
Things to do in Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua may be small, but its winding coastline makes it feel endless. Though blessed with 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, this vibrant Caribbean island offers far more than just sun and sand.
Most visitors start their journey in the capital, St John's, which is known for its colourful markets and lively harbour. On the island's south coast, English Harbour frames Nelson's Dockyard, a restored Georgian-era marina and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just above it, the Shirley Heights Lookout presents sweeping views and hosts famous Sunday night barbecues with rum, live music and local food.
Among Antigua's most beautiful beaches are the remote crescent of Half Moon Bay and the secluded Rendezvous Bay, reachable by a scenic hike. Deep Bay is popular for snorkelling around a coral-covered shipwreck. Inland, Betty's Hope tells the story of the island's colonial past, while the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda provides a broader look at its history.
Natural wonders include the Pillars of Hercules, best viewed by boat, and the dramatic limestone arch of Devil's Bridge on the east coast, which is especially striking at sunrise.
Barbuda presents a more untouched experience. Its only town, Codrington, provides access to the Codrington Lagoon National Park, which has one of the world's largest colonies of frigate birds. From here, travellers can also arrange snorkelling or scuba diving trips to explore the pristine reefs surrounding the island.
English Harbour
English Harbour, Antigua's graceful and evocative historic district, centres around the 15 square miles (39 sq km) of Nelson's Dockyard National Park. Originally developed as a bas…
English Harbour
English Harbour, Antigua's graceful and evocative historic district, centres around the 15 square miles (39 sq km) of Nelson's Dockyard National Park. Originally developed as a base for the British Royal Navy during the great age of sail, the harbour served as the headquarters for the fleet of the Leeward Islands throughout the late 18th century. Although the dockyard is associated with Horatio Nelson, who was stationed in Antigua and influenced its expansion, it was gradually abandoned in the 19th century and officially closed in 1889. Today, Nelson's Dockyard has been fully restored and is recognised as the only Georgian-era naval dockyard still in operation worldwide.
Website www.nationalparksantigua.com
The Beaches
Antigua boasts 365 beaches, one for each day of the year, the great majority resting inside the calm, protected waters of the island's Caribbean coast. Dickenson Bay and Runaway Ba…
The Beaches
Antigua boasts 365 beaches, one for each day of the year, the great majority resting inside the calm, protected waters of the island's Caribbean coast. Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, located along the island's developed northwestern coast, are the places to go for those who want the fully loaded resort beach experience, complete with reggae music and busy bars. The beaches most conveniently situated near St John's are Fort James and Deep Bay, both of which offer good swimming and snorkelling. Galley Bay attracts surfers during the winter months and joggers during the evening, and the series of four crescent beaches at Hawksbill, one of which is nudist, is also highly regarded.
Redonda
Redonda is a small, uninhabited rocky island located about 35 miles (55km) southwest of Antigua. Though officially part of Antigua and Barbuda, it's best known for its curious clai…
Redonda
Redonda is a small, uninhabited rocky island located about 35 miles (55km) southwest of Antigua. Though officially part of Antigua and Barbuda, it's best known for its curious claim to being the world's smallest 'kingdom'. In the 19th century, a local merchant is said to have declared his son king of the island, a title that later passed through a line of poets and writers. While never formally recognised, the legend lives on. Redonda is now a protected nature reserve, home to rare seabirds. Though visitors cannot land, the island can be admired by boat from Antigua.
St. John's Cathedral
St. John's Cathedral was originally built in 1683, and has been rebuilt twice due to damage from earthquakes, with the current structure dating to 1845. Located in the heart of Ant…
St. John's Cathedral
St. John's Cathedral was originally built in 1683, and has been rebuilt twice due to damage from earthquakes, with the current structure dating to 1845. Located in the heart of Antigua's capital, the cathedral's twin white baroque towers rise 70 feet (21m) above the city, offering a striking view over the port. Built during British colonial rule, the church may have represented English dominance to the enslaved African population at the time. Today, it stands as one of St. John's most iconic landmarks, welcoming visitors with its imposing presence and reflecting the island's complex colonial history.
Antigua Rum Distillery
No drink captures the spirit and flavour of the Caribbean better than rum, and a visit to Antigua's only commercial rum distillery is a must. Founded in the early 20th century, it …
Antigua Rum Distillery
No drink captures the spirit and flavour of the Caribbean better than rum, and a visit to Antigua's only commercial rum distillery is a must. Founded in the early 20th century, it produces the well‑known brands Cavalier and English Harbour. Visitors can tour the working distillery and follow up with tastings of the different rums, making for a more authentic experience than many of the more tourist‑oriented sites on the island.
Website www.antiguadistillery.com
Betty's Hope
Betty's Hope was among Antigua's first large sugar plantations, founded around 1650. Today it's being restored as a heritage site. Visitors can see the twin stone windmills (one re…
Betty's Hope
Betty's Hope was among Antigua's first large sugar plantations, founded around 1650. Today it's being restored as a heritage site. Visitors can see the twin stone windmills (one restored to working order for demonstrations), the ruins of the boiling house, the old still house (where rum was once made), and interpretive exhibits showing how sugar was produced. The site also gives insight into life on the plantation, including the enslaved workers and their transition to labourers after emancipation. Betty's Hope earned a historical reputation for efficiency and skilled workmanship that still resonates today.
Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
Set in one of St. John's oldest buildings, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda occupies an 18th-century courthouse built on the site of the city's first market. The museum traces the…
Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
Set in one of St. John's oldest buildings, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda occupies an 18th-century courthouse built on the site of the city's first market. The museum traces the island's history from its geological formation and early Amerindian cultures through colonisation, slavery and sugar plantations, right up to independence in 1981. Exhibits include pottery and tools from the Arawak people, colonial-era artefacts, models of sugar estates, and one of its most popular items: the cricket bat of national hero, Sir Vivian Richards.
Website www.antiguamuseums.net/
Pillars of Hercules
The Pillars of Hercules, a remarkable natural rock formation, mark the entrance to English Harbour in the south. These towering columns have been shaped over millennia by the relen…
Pillars of Hercules
The Pillars of Hercules, a remarkable natural rock formation, mark the entrance to English Harbour in the south. These towering columns have been shaped over millennia by the relentless forces of wind, rain and waves, and are best admired from a boat just outside the harbour for a dramatic view. Those eager to explore on foot can hike to the end of Galleon Beach, where they can enjoy some boulder scrambling to get up close to this impressive natural wonder.
Shirley Heights
Once a military guardhouse, Shirley Heights is now home to a popular restaurant famous for its lively Sunday evening barbecue parties, complete with live bands. Visitors can explor…
Shirley Heights
Once a military guardhouse, Shirley Heights is now home to a popular restaurant famous for its lively Sunday evening barbecue parties, complete with live bands. Visitors can explore the well-preserved ruins of the original fortifications while taking in some of the most stunning views in Antigua and beyond. On a clear day, the vista stretches as far as Montserrat and Guadeloupe. Shirley Heights also serves as a prime vantage point for watching Antigua Sailing Week, the island's renowned annual sailing regatta held each spring.
Devil's Bridge
Located on the rugged eastern coast of Antigua near Willikies, Devil's Bridge is a striking natural limestone arch formed by centuries of wave erosion. Surrounding the bridge are d…
Devil's Bridge
Located on the rugged eastern coast of Antigua near Willikies, Devil's Bridge is a striking natural limestone arch formed by centuries of wave erosion. Surrounding the bridge are dramatic cliffs and powerful blowholes that, when the tide and surf are right, shoot seawater high into the air. Although the arch itself is relatively small, the views of the Atlantic Ocean and the raw natural beauty are breath-taking. Swimming at Devil's Bridge is not allowed due to strong currents, but nearby Long Cove offers a popular, sheltered swimming spot where an offshore reef calms the waters, making it ideal for a refreshing dip.
Barbuda
Barbuda remains largely untouched and is famed for its long, pristine beaches, where footprints in the soft, pink sand are still a rare sight. The calm waters of the Caribbean gent…
Barbuda
Barbuda remains largely untouched and is famed for its long, pristine beaches, where footprints in the soft, pink sand are still a rare sight. The calm waters of the Caribbean gently lap the southwestern shores, while the eastern coast faces rougher seas. Encircling much of the island is a vibrant coral barrier reef teeming with colourful marine life, making it an excellent spot for snorkelling. Nature lovers will be drawn to Codrington Lagoon National Park, home to one of the largest colonies of magnificent frigate birds in the Western Hemisphere and a haven for abundant wildlife.
St John's
Antigua's capital, St. John's, is a lively cruise ship port known for its charming colonial architecture, colourful markets, museums and a wide range of restaurants. Visitors are o…
St John's
Antigua's capital, St. John's, is a lively cruise ship port known for its charming colonial architecture, colourful markets, museums and a wide range of restaurants. Visitors are often greeted by the city's iconic landmark, St. John's Cathedral, which stands proudly in the heart of downtown. The city buzzes with activity, as there are plenty of eateries and bars, live steel drum music, and stunning panoramic views from nearby Shirley Heights. History enthusiasts will appreciate the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nelson's Dockyard, a beautifully restored naval yard steeped in maritime heritage. Life here moves at a relaxed pace, making it easy for visitors to unwind with a rum cocktail in hand, basking in the unique Caribbean atmosphere.