Have you wondered, “Where is Antigua?” My family calls this Caribbean island nation home, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
This article is part of my Wander Like a Local series, where guest writers reveal the best-kept secrets, must-see spots, and unique experiences that only locals know. Discover hidden gems and authentic tips from those who call it home.
I’ve lived in the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda with my boyfriend and our two young sons for the last three winters. We’ve really enjoyed our time there and integrated ourselves into the culture. Carl works as a yacht captain on a sailboat there, and I work as a digital nomad for a tech start-up while our eldest goes to preschool.
We love living there because it is a beautiful island, the locals are amazing and there are lots of fun things to do there. Plus, with 365 beaches to choose from, you can always find a spot on the beach! Hopefully I’ve got you thinking, “Where is Antigua?” and “Should I visit?”
Have You Visited Antigua?
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Where is Antigua?
Before I get on and answer this, I should start by saying that there are two main Antiguas in the world. The Antigua that I live on is an island nation in the Caribbean, and shouldn’t be confused with nearby Antigua city in Guatemala.
The full name for Antigua is Antigua and Barbuda. It’s made up of two main islands — you guessed it — called Antigua and Barbuda. But, the island nation also includes a handful of other islands such as Bird Island, Redonda, and Prickly Pear Island. It’s located in the center of the Caribbean which makes it a popular stop for yachts enjoying a trip around the islands.
How to Get to Antigua?
Antigua, unlike some other islands in the Caribbean, is easy to reach by direct flight from the US, Canada, and the UK. It’s also a transit point for other islands, such as the exclusive St Barths. Antigua is a key stop on the cruise circuit with most cruise brands stopping there as part of their Caribbean itineraries. The main season for cruises runs from December to April.
If you’re on a yacht, you’ll find that most itineraries involve a stop in the Caribbean nation of Antigua, either on a route going north to the Bahamas or south to Grenada. Antigua is a mecca for sailing, and with several large marina’s the island is a real hive of sailing activity. Even if you’re not a sailor, there are plenty of opportunities to give it a go.
Fun Fact: The locals call Antigua Wadadli, and you’ll find a local beer by the same name. On the beer name front, you’ll also find a beer called 2Six8 Craft Brewery, which is named after its phone code of 268.
Does Antigua Really Have 365 Beaches?
The island of Antigua is reputed to have 365 beaches. I’ll confess that I’ve not been to them all, so I’ve not had the chance to personally count them. However, with so much coastline between all of the islands, I’m not surprised that there are so many beaches.
What we love as a family is how stunning the beaches are and how easy it is to hit a few beaches in one day. With warm turquoise waters lapping onto golden sands – what’s not to love? However, with so many to choose from, I know that it’s helpful to be able to quickly pick a beach that works best for you and your holiday.
Here’s my quick guide to which beaches to visit.
- Fun for families: Galleon Bay or Pigeon Point
- Best for activities and nightlife: Dickenson Bay Beach
- Off-the-beaten-track adventure: Rendezvous Bay or Half Moon Bay
- Best for snorkeling: Galleon Bay or Long Bay
- Best for quiet relaxation and natural beauty: Carlisle Bay or Coco Bay
What is the Best Way to Get Around Antigua?
Antigua does have a public transport system. However, it’s not a comfortable or very efficient way to travel around the island. So it’s not one of the options that I’d recommend you try. This leaves us with three main ways to get around Antigua: car rental, taxi, or tour.
Car Rental
One of the most popular and easiest ways to explore Antigua is by rental car. This offers you the freedom to visit places at your own pace when you want to. I have a car on the island, and I love that nowhere is more than a 45-minute drive!
Taxi
If you aren’t keen on renting a car, then taking taxis is a good choice. This is especially true if you want flexibility in visiting attractions at your own pace and don’t fancy joining a tour. If you’re visiting some of the more remote places, then you should ask your taxi driver to wait for you because there isn’t any Uber in Antigua.
Tour
There are plenty of incredible tours to join on the island that can be divided down to sea, road or air — yes, helicopter tours are also a great option! Seeing the island by boat is one of the most popular options, as you’ll get to experience the beautiful coastline and also see the main attractions.
We did a helicopter tour for my 40th birthday, and wow, that really was an amazing experience if you’re looking for something a little more unusual.
What is There to See and Do in Antigua?
There are a lot of fun experiences and activities that you can do in Antigua other than hit the local beaches. To make it easier, I wanted to give you my top five recommendations on the best things to see and do.
1. Take in Some History at Nelson’s Dockyard
Nelson’s Dockyard is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is well worth visiting as it’s one of the main historic sites in Antigua. It was there that the British Navy built its base in 1704 until it was decommissioned in 1889. And yes, Admiral Horatio Nelson did indeed live there during the early part of his career.
You can either take a tour or just pay for your entry into Nelson’s Dockyard National Park and enjoy it at your own pace. It’s great to explore because it is well-signposted inside and has a well-put-together dockyard museum inside with lots to interest you. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay on the islands then there’s even a cool boutique hotel there called The Admirals Inn.
2. Enjoy Animal Encounters at Stingray City and Lavinscourt Island
Antigua is one of the only places in the world where you have the chance to take a boat out into the sea to snorkel with stingrays. My family and I love going to Stingray City because it’s incredible to get so up close and personal with the rays. It’s suitable for all ages because you don’t need to be able to swim to enjoy it. This is one of our favorite things to do in Antigua. It’s also great that you’re getting a chance to see them in their natural habitat because they are free to come and go as they please.
After visiting the stingrays there is chance to stop off at Laviscount Island where they have a breeding programme for the giant tortoises from Mauritius. It’s great fun as you get to enter their massive enclosure to take a closer look at them, and feed them too.
3. Escape the Crowds with a Day Trip to Barbuda
If you’re looking for somewhere more “off the beaten path” than the main island of Barbuda then it’s definitely worth either taking the ferry and doing a self tour. Or, hopping onto a tour of the island.
I’ve been lucky enough to have traveled to some incredible beaches in my time, however, I’ve never felt sand quite like the sand on Princess Diana beach in Barbuda. It’s like a soft fluffy mousse, or light talcum powder — it’s so unique.
If you’re looking for a culinary adventure then you’ve got two great options, either a beach style fine dining experience at Nobu. Or, you can go more local with freshly caught and grilled lobster with Enoch. We always opt for the lobster on the beach!
4. Join the Shirley Heights Lookout Party Night
The Shirley Heights Lookout will give you an incredible panoramic view over Nelson’s Dockyard and beyond to Montserrat. It’s got to be the best view on the island! What makes it even more fun is that every Thursday and Sunday they host an incredible evening combining music, food, rum punch, and the sunset. If you head up before sunset then you can wander the lookout itself beforehand.
What I love is that there’s a wonderful atmosphere when everyone is watching the sunset whilst listening to a local steel band. After sunset, a different local band plays live music covering popular hits, and once the rum punch has kicked in the dancefloor gets very busy! If you’re looking for a locally inspired evening of entertainment, then look no further!
5. Hike for the Best Views of Antigua
I love hiking in Antigua as there are some awesome walking trails to explore.
My favorite two hikes are:
- Middle Ground (Goats) Trail. This hike starts at Nelson’s Dockyard and ends at Pigeon Beach. You’ll often see other people on this trail in the morning before it gets too hot, and some people even run it! You’ll also probably see some goats (hence its nickname), and if you look carefully and are lucky, then you’ll see hermit crabs, hummingbirds, and lots of little lizards.
- Shirley Heights Lookout Trail. If you enjoy a great panoramic view as much as I do, this hike up to the top of Shirley Heights is for you! On the way up, you’ll go past the mermaid pools and through lush cactus woodlands, where you can even eat the pink cactus berries. If you’d like a little history, you can stop by the Dow’s Hill Interpretation Center to learn more about the history of the sites in Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, which this trail goes through.
Conclusion
I love living on the beautiful island of Antigua, where the sun shines and there’s a beach for every day of the year. With a great combination of history, adrenaline activities and nature there really is something for everyone.. The only thing left after reading this is to book your trip and get ready to explore Antigua.
Ready to Go?
Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!
- Find low fares with airfarewatchdog and Skyscanner
- Book your plane ticket with Expedia or Kayak
- Or take the scenic route on an epic road trip in a rental car or an RV from Outdoorsy
- From hotels to private homes, find the perfect accommodation with Hotels.com or Vrbo
- Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from eBags
- Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with CityPASS, Tiqets, and Viator
- Don’t leave home without travel insurance from AXA
- Discover the sights, history, and culture of your destination with an interactive scavenger hunt
- Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners. Happy wandering!
Sara Young
Sara Young is the author of Big Adventures With Little Feet, a family travel blog that aims to inspire parents to travel with their kids. She and her family spend their winters in Antigua and their summers traveling the world in search of adventure. Follow her on Instagram.
I’m planning a trip to Antigua, and info from a local is so helpful. Are the rules for driving a car much different from the US? I’m a little hesitant to be the driver!