Antigua and Barbuda offers a range of options for a trip: on Antigua, historic sites and varied stretches of coastline shape the landscape; Barbuda is known for a lagoon, caves and distinctive geological formations. When looking for hotels, first consider whether you want to focus on Antigua’s history and coastlines or Barbuda’s natural and scenic attractions.

Antigua: Dockyard, History and Views

The labor and skill of enslaved Africans made possible the construction and operation of the Antigua Naval Dockyard and contributed to the development of the British Empire, trade and industrialization. The dockyard is at the center of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. The protected area covers almost 16 square miles and includes historic and natural sites.

The Middle Ground Trail, also known as the Goat Track, also passes through a historic African landscape and by military installations. Fort Berkeley is accessible via a short nature trail. From there, visitors can look back toward English Harbour and watch sailing regattas. The Shirley Heights Lookout viewpoint is about 490 feet high and offers views of English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour.

The National Parks Authority holds a weekly talk, Rum in the Ruins, at the Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre. Topics range from history and archaeology to conservation; check in advance whether bookings are currently available. Pigeon Point on Antigua is a good spot for a swim or a drink at the local beach bar after visiting Nelson’s Dockyard. The bar’s operations may change.

Antigua’s Coastlines: Different Beach Characters

On Antigua’s developed northwest coast, Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay offer a resort beach experience. The general character of the coastline is different in the hilly southwest: the beaches there, including Ffryes Bay, Darkwood Beach and Johnson’s Point, are generally less developed than those near St. John’s. Fort James near St. John’s is a public beach; Deep Bay is also close to town. Hawksbill has four crescent-shaped beaches, one of which is an option for nude bathing.

Long Bay lies at Antigua’s easternmost point and is protected by an offshore reef. On the central south coast, take access into account: Rendezvous Bay and Doigs Beach are accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles or footpaths. Check local conditions before setting out. The beaches therefore differ not only in location and character, but also in their explicitly stated access options.

Barbuda: Lagoon, Caves and Coastal Landscape

In Barbuda’s northwestern lagoon, the Frigate Bird Sanctuary is home to over 170 bird species and more than 5,000 frigatebirds; the numbers may change over time. The protected area is accessible only by boat. Confirm local conditions before your trip. River Beach has pink sand and warm, calm, blue water, whose conditions vary seasonally. A 56-foot-tall Martello Tower also stands there.

The landscape also features distinctive geological formations. Darby’s Cave is a vertical sinkhole in the bushland, three and a half miles northeast of Codrington Village. Darby Sink Hole is over 100 meters wide and about 70 feet deep; one side is heavily undercut, and stalagmites up to 8 feet tall are found beneath the overhang. Two Foot Bay lies northeast of Codrington on cliffs overlooking the ocean. The caves of Two Foot Bay are associated with the only known discovery of Amerindian petroglyphs in Antigua and Barbuda. Devil’s Bridge, meanwhile, is a natural limestone arch shaped by the Atlantic surf.

Those wishing to include hikes in their travel plans can turn to Hike 365, a hiking guide featuring a selection of popular trails in Antigua and Barbuda. Check the guide’s availability and trail conditions before setting out.

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St Philip, St John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Barbuda, Crab Hill, Falmouth, Saint George, Freetown, Saint Peter