Best beaches in Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua is blessed with 365 beaches, one for every day of the year and all are open to the public. The island, sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, is encircled by coral teeming with tropical fish. Palm trees and sea grape plants sway in the breeze, framing the soft golden and white sand.
Barbuda, the second island that makes up the nation has the most incredible pink hued beaches. The candy floss colouring is due to millions of tiny crushed pink seashells. Stunning crescent shaped Princess Diana beach was re-named from Coco Point beach in her memory in 2011 by the Barbuda Council. It would have been her 50th birthday that year and it was an island she visited several times.
Beaches in Antigua & Barbuda offer something for everyone ... relaxation, watersports, snorkelling, watching a sunrise or sunset, or perhaps enjoy a barbecue or romantic dinner. Here are some of the best beaches in Antigua I have visited on the island so far.
8 of the best beaches in Antigua
1. Dickenson Bay
Dickenson Bay is a mile long stretch of powdery white sand on Antigua's NW coast. It is a hit with families with young children as the the beach gently slopes into the cool, clear water. Expect water sports, water hammocks and some non intrusive beach vendors to wander past offering a range of clothing and jewellery, massages on sun loungers and boat trips.
Five excellent tours operate from Dickenson Bay ...
BBQ Boat ANU - a unique sailing experience with a private captain. Several packages are available to include a sunset sail or bbq lunch. Snorkelling equipment is also available as well as a floating, water carpet. Sails range from 30-90 minutes. For more details and to book, click on the BBQ Boat ANU link.
Xtreme Circumnavigation - an exhilarating tour of the island by speed boat, stopping at Stingray City to snorkel with stingrays, lunch on an uninhabited island, further snorkelling by the Pillars of Hercules and a rum punch on a remote beach. For full details and to book, click on the Xtreme Circumnavigation link.
Adventure Islands Tour - The Adventure Islands Tour includes spending a couple of hours on Laviscount island, a sanctuary mainly for giant Aldabra tortoises followed by snorkelling and a visit to Hell's Gate Island. For full details and to book, click on the Adventure Islands Tour link.
Eco Tour - Learn about the fragile eco systems in the North Sound of Antigua, the mangrove system of Guiana Island and the turtle project at Jumby Bay. Explore the underwater world by snorkelling at two fabulous spots and visit the cave-like structure of Hells Gate Island. For full details and to book, click on the Eco Tour link.
Private Boat Charter - tailor make an exciting boat charter for up to 6 people - perhaps a sunset sail, snorkelling, view some of Antigua's points of interest or perhaps arrive at your preferred restaurant by boat. For full details click on the Private Boat Charter link.
Several bars and restaurants are within easy walking distance of the beach - Salt Plage, Ana's and Casa Roots.
Accommodation:
Two recommended self-catering hotels to consider staying at on Dickenson Bay are:
Siboney Beach Club, easy to spot due to the iconic red phone box in front of it and its recently refurbished neighbour...
2. Pigeon Point Beach
Pigeon Point beach is a beautiful stretch of golden sand popular with locals and tourists on the Southern coast of Antigua. It is a short walk or drive to the following recommended hotels and apartments...
A scenic walking trail begins at Pigeon Point Beach, The Middle Ground Trail. Allow around 90 minutes for this hike with superb views that heads up to Fort Berkeley, Antigua's oldest fortification.
Once on the beach, trees are aplenty offering a shady place to lay your towel and relax. Water is calm, clear and warm, great for snorkelling and kids will enjoy the play park. At the far end, a fantastic French-inspired restaurant, Catherine's Cafe, will ensure you are well fed. Check Catherine's Cafe's website for details of brunches with pilates and regular live bands. To the other end of the beach is a casual beach bar, Bumpkins. They offer a range of burgers and salads and some excellent cocktails. The restaurant is in prime position for a sundowner with stunning sunsets, open daily except Mondays.
Click on the link to see a video of Pigeon Point Beach on my YouTube channel.
3. Galleon Beach
Galleon beach on the southern coast of Antigua, is paradise for those who love to snorkel. Swim from the shore to a shipwreck surrounded by a plethora of marine life including regular turtle sightings. The sea is clear and calm, framed by soft white sand.
Situated smack bang in the middle of the beach is Loose Cannon, a buzzing bar/restaurant offering exceptional food, cocktails and bottomless brunches. Weekends can be spent dancing barefoot on the sand to live DJs and for EC$300 on Tuesdays to Thursdays, hire a canopied cabana for the day. The price includes a mezze platter, use of a paddle board, bottle of wine or pitcher of a cocktail.
The beach can be accessed a number of ways: Peak season, take advantage of the free half hourly shuttle from Covent Garden Supermarket, take a taxi or pay to sail across from a shuttle boat located behind the Copper & Lumber Store. Residents of Admiral's Inn are entitled to complimentary boat rides to and from the beach.
Recommended accommodation close by
The more active might prefer to take a short hike to the Pillars of Hercules, a stunning natural rock formation.
4. Jolly Beach
Jolly Beach is a stunning, mile long stretch of white sand with turquoise hued water, popular with locals and tourists. Restaurants, bars and shops are a short walk for lunch and refreshments.
Recommended accommodation nearby:
4 bed luxury villa in Jolly Harbour - less than 10 minutes walk to Jolly Beach.
2 x studio apartments. Each studio is within 10 minutes drive from Jolly Beach, one tucked away on a hillside at Johnson's Point, the other opposite stunning Crabbe Hill beach. Both are ideal for couples and solo travellers.
5. Prickly Pear Island
Catch a boat over to Prickly Pear Island from the beach at Hodges Bay Resort. Bathe in gin coloured water, sip cocktails from a cabana and indulge in some delicious dishes from the island's restaurant.
Click on the link for details of fantastic studios, 1 and 2 bed properties for rent close to Hodges Bay.
6. Crabbe Hill Beach
Crabbe Hill Beach is postcard perfect located on Antigua's West coast. The powdery white sand beach is an ideal spot to relax, swim in the clear, calm turquoise water or perhaps wander along to Crabbe Hill Beach Rentals and hire a paddle board or kayak.
Nearby rental accommodation:
Two highly recommended studio apartments are close by, one is directly opposite the beach in the heart of Crabbe Hill Village, the other a short walk away at Johnson's Point.
A luxurious 4 bed villa in Jolly Harbour is less than 10 minutes drive.
7. Mamora Bay
Mamora Bay is one of the beaches within St James's Club Resort, a luxurious hotel I recommend staying in for solo travellers, couples, families and friends. This golden sand bay is on a peninsula on the South East coast. The beach is sheltered with loungers and parasols and ideal for water sports due to the calm water.
Click on the link for details of some highly recommended, privately owned, one bed apartments available for holiday rentals. They are within walking distance of Mamora Bay and a short drive from the nightlife at English Harbour..
8. Long Bay Beach
Long Bay beach is located on the Eastern coast, the Atlantic side of the island. It is protected by a band of coral making it a great place to snorkel. Directly on the beachfront is Pineapple Beach Club Resort, one of the adults only hotels I recommend for couples and friends. Guests benefit from the complimentary use of water hammocks, non-motorised water sports, catamaran hire and rides. The sunrise from here is spectacular.