6 Reasons to Add Antigua to your Bucket List

Jan 10

Written by Jessica - January 10, 2021

Antigua and Barbuda are a twin-island Caribbean nation that has remained fairly under the radar with North American tourists, which has helped to keep it all the more special and pristine.

Antigua is the larger, more developed island, and the main place to stay. It has so many unique features to discover for any type of traveler, including rich history & culture, a delicious foodie scene, colourful towns, gorgeous beaches, rocky cliffs, coral reefs, sunken ships, and lots of hidden treasures waiting to be explored.

Here are 6 reasons that will convince you to plan a trip to Antigua ASAP!

#1: Safety

At time of writing, Antigua is one of the safest destinations to travel to - it has some of the lowest COVID case rates in the world since the pandemic began.

And, there are no visa requirements for Canadians for stays up to six months, making it a wonderful place to stay if you’re able to work remotely.

All passengers arriving into Antigua will need to provide proof of a negative PCR test, taken no longer than 7 days prior to arrival.

Also check out our blog Where Can You Travel Now?

Even before COVID struck, Antigua was still among the safest nations in the Caribbean.

Local Antiguan people are pleasant, kind, and helpful folks who want to help you enjoy their island more than anything. It is unlike other poorer Caribbean nations, where visitors often encounter beggars and hawkers that can make them feel uncomfortable. In Antigua there is very little begging or harassment. People are generally happy and living a good quality of life compared to elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Plus, the main spoken language is English, and the roads are easily drivable, making it overall a very pleasant place to visit and feel safe exploring on your own.

#2: Weather

Antigua is definitely a land of sun, sea, and sand.

It is physically located very close to the equator, making it the sunniest of the Caribbean islands with beautiful weather year round. Temperatures are mild (mid-70’s to mid-80’s) and humidity is low - Antigua actually has the lowest annual rainfall of all its Caribbean island neighbors and isn’t as affected by the tropical hurricane season.

There are gentle sea breezes that keep you from feeling too hot or humid.

You can expect great weather any time of year, meaning it’s a destination you can book very early in advance and not have to worry about bad weather ruining your vacation or special event.

#3: Stunning Scenery

Antigua may be a fairly small island, but it is home to some diverse scenery that makes it quite unique - and completely stunning.

There are actually 365 beaches scattered around the island! Many have soft, powdery white sand, but some have beige or even pink-hued sand; there is quite a variety to be explored.

You could literally visit a different beach every day of the year.

But, just like Antigua’s slogan says, ‘the beach is just the beginning’.

The island’s expansive, winding coastline made Antigua difficult for early explorers to reach, but it also created several safe harbours, scenic bays, and secluded beaches. Much of the land is still very natural, wild, and untouched by mass tourism, leaving lots to explore.

Rolling hills give way to valleys and small towns, with tons of spots for picturesque views of the many bays. (TIP: the views get better the higher up you go into the hills).

In the north of the island lives a nearly unbroken coral reef - the flanks of an ancient volcano that formed the twin islands about 30 million years ago. There are also mangrove forests in the north, and tropical vegetation & palm trees everywhere on the island.

MUST DO: Visit Devil’s Bridge National Park, in the eastern part of Antigua. This is an area of stunning natural limestone rock formations (some of which create amazing ‘arches’ over the ocean, like the one pictured) and several natural blowholes which shoot up water and spray powered by waves from the Atlantic Ocean. It is a very cool experience!

Overall Antigua is very lush and tropical, with palm trees and vegetation everywhere, and colourful small towns.

#4: Activities

Once you’ve got your fix of beach hopping and taking in the scenery, there are so many fun things to do in Antigua!

Scuba dive or snorkel the coral reefs and sunken ships - there are over 100 to explore around Barbuda (and the water visibility is extremely clear)
Kayak through the tropical ecosystem of mangroves
Scenic hiking - there are many trails and tracks available for exploration. Most of the popular hikes lead to one or another of the island’s many hilltop fortifications such as Fort George or Fort Barrington, to scenic views such as Signal Hill and Shirley Heights, or secluded beaches like Rendezvous Bay. Pick the one that suits you and take to the hills! (tours also available)

Horseback riding on the beach or along forested trails at the Antigua Equestrian Centre

Wildlife Spotting & Birdwatching
- Spot animals and birds in the Wallings Nature Reserve, located within Antigua’s picturesque rainforest (tours available)
- Stop by Stingray City (pictured) for an educational aquatic encounter with stingrays, including snorkeling and feeding
- Visit the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the western hemisphere, at the Codrington Lagoon on the island of Barbuda
- Make a trip to Great Bird Island (just offshore of Antigua) for outstanding opportunities for birdwatchers as well as the chance to spot the Antigua Racer Snake

Sailing Paradise

The incredibly clear blue ocean water and gentle sea winds have made Antigua a popular hub for sailing, it is probably the top activity on the island, other than the beach.

A vibrant sailing culture lives here - Antigua has the reputation as the yacht repair centre of the Caribbean.

Its network of harbors draw maritime lovers year after year for the island’s famed Sailing Week in May. And, the southern point of the island has marinas that can take yachts of more than 300 ft!

Sailing in Antigua is also the best way reach some of the more secluded beaches that are trickier to get to by car. You also get to see the island from a completely different perspective.

Taking a sailing tour or charter for at least a few hours is highly recommended.

#5: Culture & History

Antigua has a vibrant local culture and rich history that must be explored.

It was established as a British colony 1784 and began to draw the eye of the Royal Navy, then became the nation’s most prominent Caribbean base. Today, it has a uniquely blended Caribbean-British vibe.

In the capital town of St. John’s (pictured) you can visit the Dockyard Museum of maritime history, beautiful St. John’s Cathedral, and the historic Fort James.

In Saint Paul’s Parish (in the south), take a walk around Nelson's Dockyard - a heritage marina and UNESCO World Heritage Site in English Harbour. Nelson’s Dockyard is home to the only perfectly-preserved Georgian dockyard in the Caribbean, and has many pretty buildings to see.

Also in the south, stop by the Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre for a 20-minute theater-styled, interactive presentation on the history of Antigua - it is a fun and informative activity that kids in particular will enjoy. It’s a wonderful introduction to the island, and is highly recommended (especially for your first day or two).

Hundreds of sugar mills also dot the land and stand as a gentle reminder of the progress the islands have made over the years moving from sugar cane production to tourism as its main industry.

Hundreds of sugar mills also dot the land and stand as a gentle reminder of the progress the islands have made over the years moving from sugar cane production to tourism as its main industry.

You can arrange a day (or half-day) tour to visit several sugar mills, stone-built churches, and historic sites around the island for a comprehensive cultural/historic tour in a short amount of time.

#6: Fantastic Accommodations

Other than the amazing scenery and activities, what got me super excited about Antigua was discovering all of the wonderful options for accommodations available on the island. Antigua has the most luxury boutique properties in the Caribbean, some very nice mid-range options, and several private villas (including unique options of villa-resorts, too).

The options available are perfect for social distancing and travelling with family or a group of friends. It is a popular destination for weddings, elopements and honeymoons too.

Antigua has clearly worked very hard to make sure it is safe for tourists to visit. All tourists visiting Antigua and Barbuda during the pandemic will be required to stay at only authorized hotels and inns. If a tourist wants to stay at a private home or with friends, they are subject to a 14-day quarantine.

As long as visitors have no symptoms, bring a negative PCR test with them, and stay at an authorized accommodation, no quarantines will be applied.

Here are two of my favorite resorts in Antigua, both of which are on the list of authorized accommodations:

Cocobay Resort

Luxurious, private, and intimate 5-star resort near Jolly Harbour (45 min drive from the airport)

All Inclusive and Adults-only
Known as Antigua's most romantic resort, it is ideal for honeymoons and romantic celebrations
Gorgeous infinity pool and deck area with picture-perfect ocean views (pictured)
A charming collection of pastel pink, blue, and purple cottages perched on a bluff overlook the turquoise waters of Valley Church Bay

Each spacious cottage has a balcony, hammock, sun loungers, wood floors and wood-beamed ceilings; most also have private plunge pools

Guests can enjoy private beach access, a full-service spa, and live entertainment on select nights of the week
The resort features two exotic restaurants: The main all-inclusive Rafters Restaurant & Bar provides breakfast, lunch and dinner in an intimate setting with spectacular sea views, while reservations must be made independently for the world renowned Sheer Rocks Restaurant

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The Verandah Resort & Spa

4.5 star All Inclusive and All Ages resort with a laid back Caribbean vibe
The perfect mix of family fun and island adventure
Located on a gorgeous private beach, with many water activities available
A large resort property, but even when full it doesn’t feel busy; well laid-out
Good food, but not ideal for picky eaters; also a fun beach bar
Rooms are simple, clean, and very spacious; some rooms have wonderful ocean views from the private balcony
A fairly quiet, laid back resort that is perfect for beach lovers, families, groups, and couples