The Best Things to Do in Antigua and Barbuda

19.11.2024 - 19:21 / cntraveler.com

Antigua is a former British colony with a big-hitting cricket reputation, a food scene that's big on flavor, and a beach for every single day of the year. The larger of Antigua and Barbuda, this is an island with some of the best beaches in the Caribbean—not to mention scenic coves, rollicking beach bars, and even one sandy spot with a red phone booth straight out of London that will have you think you're seeing a mirage. It's utter fly-and-flop perfection, but delve a little deeper and you'll find a myriad things to do beyond the sand. Here are our suggestions.

Antigua is home to an impressive 365 beaches.

There are a whopping 365 beaches on this Caribbean isle, palm-fringed swathes of slick white and pink sand lapped by glittery turquoise seas. Everyone will find one that suits, from cool hangouts at Dickenson Bay to Fort Bay's impossibly opaque waters. Windsurfers should head to Half Moon Bay for its shiny waters, while sun-worshippers will adore the beautiful stretches of sand at Jolly Beach.

This small island has a mighty big history, and Nelson's Dockyard is a must-see. This restored marina, once a naval yard for British warships and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was home to Horatio himself in 1784 and it's a fascinating snapshot of Georgian navy life. Antigua was built on sugarcane—venture around the island and you'll spot many of the 112 mills that dot the hillsides. Dating back to 1651, the first sugar mill at Betty's Hope is pretty emotive stuff: hundreds of African slaves toiled here over the centuries, and you can nose around the restored windmills and working distillery.

Head to Turners Beach Bar for a toes-in-the-sand feast of curried lobster and whole roasted red snapper, while Rachel's Bar, the shiny new joint on the island, will mix up a fiery rum punch.

There are some sensational places to eat and drink on the island: head to Turners Beach Bar for a toes-in-the-sand feast of curried lobster and whole roasted red snapper, while Rachel's Bar, the shiny new joint on the island, will mix up a fiery rum punch. For sundowners, make an appointment for happy hour at Castaways in Jolly Harbour—by day it's touristy, but the atmosphere is brilliantly buzzy and come sunset the bars heave with the yacht set.

With fantastic off-shore reefs and bath-warm waters, Antigua & Barbuda is an excellent place to don a mask and fins and explore the brightly colored corals. Book a Sea Escape tour aboard a glass-bottom boat for a day of swimming amongst the reefs, exploring hidden wrecks and drinking rum punch. Head to Green Island for one of the finest spots, Cades Reef, best for spotting lobsters, eagle stingrays, and nurse sharks.

For unbeatable views of the island, Monks Hill is an off-the-beaten-path