Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Antigua & Barbuda are best known for their friendly and welcoming people, pink and white-sandy beaches, azure seas and an enjoyable climate. Whilst ‘mainland’ Antigua is the hot spot for tourists and locals alike, reef-fringed Barbuda may be one of the best kept ecological secrets in the West Indies! With an abundance of wildlife, beaches and lagoons, a day trip to Barbuda is a must for those who love nature. Continue reading to find out what I discovered to be the enchantment of Antigua!
History
Discover Antigua and Barbuda's rich history on a trip across one of the Caribbean's longest standing nations. Established as a British colony in 1632, the islands gained independence in 1981. Fort Berkeley was constructed in 1704 as part of a strategic defence network that ensured the safety of this beautiful island and English Harbour. Fort Berkeley boasts an impressive array of cannon guns and a bomb proof magazine for storing gunpowder. Explore the area's past further at Nelson's Dockyard and the Dockyard Museum, set around English Harbour and famously used by Admiral Nelson in the 1780s. As the sun sets, experience a vibrant nightlife featuring local bars serving rum-based cocktails. Experience a true Caribbean history trip as you discover the sights and sounds of one of the Caribbean's oldest nations.
Beach Please!
My favourite fact to share with people when they ask me about Antigua is that it has 365 beaches, one for every day of the year! However, the downside to that comes if someone were to ask me to recommend some to visit, because I can only remember the name of one out of the handful I stepped upon – better to be honest than steer someone in the wrong direction, right?! Half Moon Bay is the one that has been stuck in my head, probably because we had pretty much the entire place to ourselves! Discovering the enchantment of this idyllic beach that offers hideaways for shade, boulders for those IG worthy shots and of course the infamous golden sands and azure waters the Caribbean has to offer was almost like finding a hidden gem, although the beach sits on the Atlantic facing side, so the waves can get pretty rough! We even bumped into a masseuse looking for clients to pamper on our beach outing. But that’s not all! Half Moon Bay was one of the filming locations for Pirates of the Caribbean (2003), where Captain Jack and Elizabeth are marooned.
Nature trails
Can you really say you’ve been to Antigua without discovering the enchantment that is Shirley Heights view point, offering the most incredible views over the entire island, where you can spend a Sunday evening eating and dancing away with locals and travellers alike. But, did you know that you can also begin a hike from this area?! There are several paths to take, but the most common one is The Lookout Trail. If you’d prefer to hike in reverse, take the gravel path from Galleon Beach (okay, maybe I did remember the name of another beach) leading up to the iconic view point of Shirley Heights. Both trails offer closer, picturesque views of Nelson’s Dockyard. Antigua boasts luscious flora and fauna, making this the perfect activity for nature lovers. Be sure to carry extra mosquito repellent and water!
A sailors’ paradise
Offering warm, gentle trade winds, safe anchorages, turquoise waters and deserted white sand beaches, Antigua is said to be one of the most idyllic destinations to sail in the world!
The winds between December and May bring stable weather conditions for exceptional sailing allowing Antigua Sailing Week to run into the last couple of weeks in April.
Arguably one of the best regattas in the world, Antigua Sailing Week welcomes sailors from around the globe to enjoy a week of exciting racing in one of the Caribbean’s best sailing locations. On average, it takes between 5 days – 1 week to sail around Antigua, whilst stopping at different ports and points of interest. Whether you are an experienced sailor or not, there are plenty of companies offering sailing trips around Antigua, so be sure to check a few out as an alternative way to discover the enchantment of Antigua!
Food
As I mentioned in a previous blog post AROUND ANTIGUA IN FLAVOURS, Antigua boasts a range of international cuisines including European, American and Indian.
Just as in many of the other Caribbean islands, roti is considered a delicious street food in Antigua. With a range of traditional and more Westernised dishes, as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to choose from, or even a slightly different taste from the East, such as Indo-Chinese, your cravings will be satisfied by Chef Raju at his restaurant - New Taste of India! If you’d rather try something more fitting to the Island vibes, I highly recommend stopping at Sweet T’s, located along the main road in Falmouth, you cannot miss this brightly painted roadside eatery! On your visit, be sure to try one their delicious hard shakes (an alcoholic milkshake), you will not be disappointed! Speaking of sweet things, a summer holiday is incomplete without an ice cream a day in my opinion. Which is where Fred’s Belgian Waffles and Ice Cream parlour located in Redcliffe Quay comes in! What makes Fred’s stand out from the rest? He curates his ice creams and sorbets using real fruits, chocolate, herbs, raisins and coffee beans - to name a few. For those with a sweet tooth, choose from a range of ice creams, sorbet, waffles and milkshakes.
With its unrivalled beauty, vibrant culture, and endless possibilities of fun, Antigua and Barbuda offers all ages a chance to experience the enchantment of the Caribbean like no other. As the late Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda V.C. Bird once said, “The tide of life in Antigua and Barbuda runs high with excitement.” I hope this little glimpse into Antigua has shown you why it should be your next destination!
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