Antigua has numerous amazing beaches where tourists can swim, play water sports, and many more things. But Barbuda is heaven for those who want offsite, relaxing places for vacation in the beautiful silky white-pink sand beaches and home of many birds which are just mindblowing to watch.
Antigua and Barbuda are the islands of the Caribbean with the most rated beautiful beaches, not only this but islands were also rich with historic and heritage places. These islands have many places to visit but Antigua, a real paradise of the earth attracts tourists more whereas Barbuda is a hidden site with 2% of the population of the whole nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
Below are some of the best places which must be visited when you come to these islands
Best places to visit in Antigua and Barbuda
Best places to visit in Antigua
Their flawless beaches made vacationers allure more to swim in their sophisticated soft water. At the same time, you will be amused by many ancient heritage and museums and will also enjoy the local food along with city life full of enthusiasm.
Antigua is the largest among the nation of two islands, Antigua and Barbuda in terms of population as well as an economy builder.
1. Nelson’s Dockyard
Nelson’s Dockyard is one of the ancient heritage of this island which has been built for the harbor of the English men. The site is named after the great Horatio Nelson who lived in this dockyard from 1784 to 1787.
If you want off-track with the beaches, this will be the perfect destination for that. Dockyard covers the large part of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. Scenic view from this place is just made your mind blow.
Many cafes, food stalls, and shopping gift galleries are here to explore with the cool winds of the sea. Though you will not be entertained on Sunday as it’s closed open all Monday to Saturdays, from morning 8 AM to the sunset at 6 PM with an entry fee of $8 USD which includes tour guides of this place including Shirley Height and dow’s Hills.
2. Shirley Heights
Take a hiking tour from Nelson’s Dockyard to Shirley Heights which is also a part of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park.
Its high altitude, 492 feet approx is the reason for beautiful eye shots of most of Antigua and it’s more beautiful view at the time of sunset as the whole Dockyard and the island gets to light up gives such an amazing city view of 360 degree and just mesmerizing sea-scapes for your memory too.
It’s been open from Monday to Saturday, but you must not miss the Sunday evening party which will of the additional fair of $20 XCD. Party is of great fun, and one of the must things to do in Antigua.
It has been organized by restaurants and bars over there with some local band shows. Your evening will be crazy about this thrilling party, dancing all night long.
3. Hawksbill Bay
This bay is a group of a total of four beaches lying in a straight way which is just amazing to visit for full of fun and food.
The first beach of this bay is for public and easily accessible as it’s the opposite of the main road. The second and third beach of Hawksbill Bay is officially on the name of the famous resort of this area, rex Resort as the maximum property is sold to them still beaches are open to another tourist also apart from the resort tourist.
Four beaches named as Eden Beach is for those who want to crowd out himself. Relaxing, cool beach with clean white sand visitors will generally be seen here unwind with the city life under tall palm trees all over the beach. It’s the only clothing-optional beach in this whole island, Antigua and Barbuda.
4. The Devil’s Bridge
From thousand years of flashes of ocean salty waves over rocks, getting demolished to the formation of Devil’s Bridge, located in eastern Antigua. Blowholes, master-piece of nature created by the strong waves and wind at the site where two oceans hit each other.
Yet the scenic view was just unescaped from your eyes but it’s absolutely not safe at all. Expertises were regularly alerting as their blowholes were very feeble and may become dangerous with the heavy wind flow.
Though you can visit free of cost but will not say to visit for a must. As the safety of your life comes first then your enjoyment. Don’t take your children along with you in case you want to explore it for once.
5. Galley Bay Beach
The waves here are best for surfing and is located on the northwest coast of Antigua. You will generally see small turtles over the beach of Galley Bay and even there nest full of eggs keep for hatching. Usually, in the summer, you will get to see the cute baby turtles hatched and trying to come out of their zone to the sea for swimming.
The famous resort of this area, Galley Bay Resort has captured a maximum of the beach along with their 3 open-air restaurants just near the shimmery clean blue sea waves.
If you have thought of swimming over here, it will be the wrong idea cause you will get the rocky formations between the sea which may hurt you.
6. Dickenson Bay
Long stretched clean white sand beaches are the perfect pack of beach tours in Dickenson Bay. On the waterside of St John’s Parish in the northwest of the island, Bay is situated. Tourists can easily reach here as it is near to the cruise port.
Besides bay, there are a handful of some inclusive hotels and resorts with open-air restaurants and bars. Tourists will enjoy at its fullest on the island’s best beaches.
Beyond this many things to do like beach activities and water sports are also available on these beaches, or if visitors just want to relax on the laydown chairs and umbrellas, you can do that also.
If want to walk alone with your lovers, you take the right lane of undeveloped silent beach to spend your time.
7. Half Moon Bay
This beatch comes in top famous beaches of the world. This is genuinely the best places to visit in Antigua and Barbuda islands. Beautiful and amazing beaches of the Half Moon Bay are just mesmerizing due to its shimmery white sand.
There are main 6 breathtaking resorts, acquired the nearby shores which have occupied most of the beaches for visitors’ private space.
- Rosewood Resort and Hotel
- Rosewood Estate
- Sea Cliff Estates
- Mellon Estate
- The Residences
- Half-Moon Bay Estates
But normal visitors who aren’t staying in those resorts can come and enjoy the beachside fun and entertainment with your family and friends.
8. Betty’s Hope
Betty’s Hope is the first and the largest sugar plantation on this island in 1651. Though it’s mill is closed for decades but now restored and represented as the heritage and history of the Antigua island.
As the country is ruled by the British, the mill was constructed by them only. They tell the story of slaves to paid labor in the sugar mill by the citizens of Antiguans. Many other store yards are renovated and changed to a museum that is now becoming the visitor attraction over here.
Afterward, you may enjoy the Pares village soulful view. You must take one tour guide to get the best knowledge of this place.
9. Fort James
One of the forts constructed by the British government in the 18th century for being protected from french intruders over time of war. This fort is built in the gateway of St.John’s Harbour, the capital of the nation.
Due to its amazing viewpoints of Harbour from the fort, this place is becoming the trending tourist attraction.
Cannons used for war are still kept there to showcase the history of the island. These hulky cannons of 2.5 tons required more than 11 people to move it from its position.
There is a stone establishment in the glory of craftsmen who made this historic monument of this nation.
10. Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
The museum is situated in St. John’s, the capital city of Antigua island. It depicts many untold tales of the island since 1985. It involves from geography of the island to political background.
The main aim of the museum is to face the visitors with the history, culture, tradition of the island, Antigua and Barbuda. Not only that but also the physical sculpture of their culture, documentation of the region, heritage pieces representing the history.
This museum has everything for every age group interest. It is something different from sunset on the beaches to historic heritage.
Best places in Barbuda
Barbuda is usually known as Antigua’s sister island. It’s been 27- miles away from Antigua but feels like some lost island of the world. Only one main village or can call town named, Codrington. Residence of the villager are too friendly and helpful in nature. Barbuda has some most beautiful natural beaches with an add up of shinny pink sands.
This place has many things to do like explore the lifestyle of the only tiny village with their locals by staying with them, having local home food of the Barbuda, experiencing snorkeling on some of the beaches where well good reefs are present.
If you want to go away from the urban crowd to some quite, peaceful site then you can make a stop for a night by beachside over some of the lovely resorts to stay in Barbuda. Though there are very few resorts in this area after the disaster from Hurricane Irma.
Traveling to Antigua and Barbuda island people usually left out revealing the Barbuda island, the best places to visit in Antigua and Barbuda. It has some most beautiful and mind-blowing beaches and the atmosphere of the only town on the island is just beyond everything.
1. Two Foot Bay
Two Foot bay is actually not only about the bay but also the only historic rock carving of the island. It must be one of the best places to visit in Barbuda. Tourist here can’t guide himself they need a guide which is easily available from the only town Codrington.
You need to take a good pair of shoes with you as you need to do hiking to reach the beauty of the caves. It will be good to keep your hand free as there is some climbing too, but the result will be dam wonderful with wild caves.
Not only this but when you reach the top of the reefs and caves, you will get a spunky view of the ocean too. Besides this, you can explore the homely food of the town and enjoy the smoothy vibes of this place.
2. 17-mile beach
The 17-mile beach is also renowned by Barbuda’s Pink Beach. It’s just another paradise to the travelers. The 17-mile beach is long smooth sandy beaches with crystal clear water waves touching your toes.
Quiet beaches with no such crowd and even the small vulnerable shops for eateries or something else on the beachside make it more relaxing to devote some time for yourself.
You will definitely love to spend time with your loved ones by taking a long walk on these pink sand beaches. It’s become more romantic with the sunset view.
3. Frigate Bird Sanctuary
On the site of Codrington, lagoons have some extra-ordinary thing to see for nature and bird watchers is Frigate Bird Sanctuary. This Sanctuary is one of the best places to visit in Barbuda. You have to explore it by taking a boat.
More than 5,000 red nacked Frigate birds take shelter to this sanctuary. If you are visiting between September to April you will encounter not only with most attractive black-feathered Frigate birds but also some spectacular migrating birds.
This Frigate birds hunt from the ocean which is something to do watch. Male frigate trying to impress female frigate in their mating time will be of great fun to make a trip memorable.
Bird lovers will just go crazy not only with Frigate birds but also gazing at more than 170 bird species in this area which you can’t see usually. though a visit to the sanctuary is paid which may vary from different coordinators giving a guide to this place.
4. Low Bay
The low bay is the most famous beaches among all the beaches of Barbuda also renowned by 11-Mile beaches. Its located in the western part of the island. These beaches are lonely stretched long, giving peace. Sound of the waves in silent will definitely give your ears satisfaction.
Other than lighthouse Bay Resort just near to the beach, there is no other source of the crowd in this place, no restrooms. You along with the sea are the only thing which can communicate with each other. So take your foodies and drink along with you for non-stop fun.
As beaches of Barbuda have crystal clear lagoons and give happiness when the cold water is touching your toes and going back.
5. Gravenor Bay
Bay is situated in the southern-most coastal areas of this island, somewhere between Coco Point and Spanish Point.
These points of Barbuda come in the list of the best places to visit on this island. Like this place in Barbuda island is the prime location for the finest services of Yacht and even fringing reefs of these bay are best for experiences of snorkeling.
Travelers want to reveal the heart of the sea they will surely enjoy to visit here. Besides these two activities, there is nothing much to do in Gravenor Bay.
Summary
In this blog, we have tried to cover all the best places to visit in Antigua and Barbuda. These islands of the Caribbean have some of the best beaches in the world.
A list of beaches which includes sporty crowded beaches to some quite beautiful beaches. Whereas some of them have reefs and some have unique pink-shinny sand beaches. Over in all making the islands must-visit destination of the nation and many things to do as well.
Apart from the beaches, there are some museums and historic places too where you will get to face the ancient story of this island. And some scenic views from the top of this hill.
Island is a full package of fun and enjoyment and travelers searching for core places of the world to visit. All these things to do and destinations, making Antigua and Barbuda islands one of the best places to visit in the Caribbean.
Be safe while traveling.
Thank You…
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