Antigua & Barbuda are blessed with some of the best beaches the Caribbean has to offer. Antigua alone has 365 of them, the locals say one for every day of the year. Some are peaceful for relaxation, others family-friendly with plenty of activities nearby. There are beaches ideal for watching a sunrise or sunset while others are more popular for water sports or snorkelling. For those seeking romance, many of the resorts offer a romantic candlelit beach dining experience.
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.
The best beaches in Antigua
Here are 15 of the best beaches to visit on your tropical island getaway to the island of Antigua.
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 offering a range of clothing and jewellery, massages on sun loungers and boat trips.
Three excellent tours operate from Dickenson Bay, I highly recommend both.
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, 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, click on the Xtreme Circumnavigation 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.
Floating in the ocean is unique bar, Kon-Tiki, expect a party vibe with speakers pumping out well known upbeat tunes. Simply wave from the water's edge and a complimentary boat driver will speedily collect you and return you when you're ready to leave. It is a popular place for friends and couples to hang out with a fair priced rum punch and 360 degree views of the ocean and beachfront.
Two great 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 neighbour Buccaneer Beach Club.
Pigeon Point Beach
Pigeon Point beach is a beautiful stretch of golden sand popular with locals and tourists on the South coast of Antigua. Just before the beach is a scenic hiking path, The Middle Ground Trail. Allow around 90 minutes for this hike that heads up to Fort Berkeley, Antigua's oldest fort.
Pigeon Point offers plenty of shady spots beneath the trees for children to play in the park or to spread your towel out and relax. Water is calm and popular for snorkelling. There are also sun loungers available for hire.
The beach is book-ended by two excellent restaurants, Catherine's Cafe and Bumpkins. Catherine's serves brunches with pilates, regular live music and free use of sun loungers for diners. Bumpkins dish up great burgers and delicious cocktails. The staff here are outstanding and it is a great place to sit at the end of the day to watch a spectacular sunset.
Accommodation close by includes four highly recommended hotels popular with couples, solo travellers and families, The Copper & Lumber Store, South Point, Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort and Admiral's Inn.
Alternatively there are a number of privately owned rental properties a short drive away in English Harbour and Falmouth.
Galleon Beach
Galleon Beach is across the harbour from Admiral's Inn and Copper & Lumber Store on the South coast of the island. Guests staying at Admirals can take advantage of a complimentary shuttle boat that whisks you across in a matter of minutes and will return at a time of your choosing. Those residing at Copper & Lumber Store can pay for a boat shuttle located behind the hotel. On the beach, a cordoned off area of water prevents boats from sailing too close to a shipwreck with its plethora of marine life. Be sure to bring snorkelling equipment as turtle sightings are frequent here.
A popular beachfront restaurant, Loose Cannon, serves excellent food and refreshments. They hire paddle boards and beach cabanas and often have a live DJ. A rum venue, the Academy of Rum is located behind the restaurant. Sign up beforehand to sample local rums and make your own blend to take home as a souvenir.
The more active might like to take a short hike to the Pillars of Hercules, a stunning natural rock formation.
Accommodation close by includes four highly recommended hotels popular with couples, solo travellers and families, The Copper & Lumber Store, South Point, Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort and Admiral's Inn.
Alternatively there are a number of privately owned rental properties a short drive away in English Harbour and Falmouth.
Jolly Beach
Jolly Beach is a stunning stretch of white sand arguably one of the best beaches on the West coast of the island. Located on the Caribbean side, the water is calm and clear. There are a number of hotels and recommended apartments nearby and Jolly Harbour Marina, a short walk away, has many bars, restaurants and shops. Sunsets from here are incredible.
Deep Bay Beach
Deep Bay Beach has soft white sand and crystal clear water. It frames luxurious hotel, The Royalton Antigua, on the NW coast of Antigua and is a great spot to watch the sun set with a favourite tipple. As a hotel guest non-motorised water sports are complimentary though bring your own snorkelling equipment as this is no longer loaned out following the pandemic. A lifeguard is on duty at certain times of the day. Sun loungers are readily available with parasols and side tables and drinks are unlimited from the beach bar as part of the hotel's all inclusive package. A burger restaurant is conveniently located beside the beach.
Crabbe Hill Beach
Crabbe Hill Beach is postcard perfect located on Antigua's West coast. The white sandy beach is an ideal place 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. Two highly recommended studio apartments are within walking distance available for holiday rentals.
Mamora Bay
Mamora Bay is one of the beaches within St James's Club Resort. The luxurious resort is popular with solo travellers, couples, families and friends. This golden sand bay is located 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. A snack bar is adjacent to the beach serving burgers and refreshments. Click on the link for details of some highly recommended, privately owned, one bed apartments available for holiday rentals.
Long Bay Beach
Long Bay beach is located on the Eastern coast of Antigua, the Atlantic side of the island. It is protected by a band of coral making it a great place to snorkel. It is the beachfront for Pineapple Beach Club Resort, one of the adults only hotels recommended for couples. Guests benefit from the complimentary use of water hammocks, non-motorised water sports, catamaran hire and rides. It is worth getting up early to see the sunrise from here.
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a crescent shaped beach of white sand on the Atlantic side of the island framed by tropical flora. To one end of the beach the surf is wild and powerful, ideal for body surfing while the other end is calmer for swimming. On the beachfront enjoy lunch and refreshments from superb Beach Bum Bar and Grill. Expect a big greeting, lots of smiles and excellent food with the most spectacular view.
Look out for Alex, taking some shade while carving some wooden ornaments and bamboo weaving. These are great souvenirs to take home.
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 studio, 1 and 2 bed properties for rent in Crosbies and Hodges Bay.
Pinching Bay Beach
An enchanting beach with sand as soft as talcum powder that can be accessed by boat or via a hiking trail. Click on the link for a recommended tailor made private boat charter.
Fort James Beach
Fort James Beach is a long stretch of white sand close to St Johns. The Fort was originally built to protect the capital's harbour from a French invasion back in the 18th Century. Today visitors can roam the remains, view the cannons and take in the breathtaking views of the beach and Caribbean sea. Beachlimerz restaurant is located here for good food and to hire paddle boards, snorkels and kayaks.
Runaway Bay
Visit the white sands of Runaway Bay to unwind and bathe in the clear, turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Then indulge in an exquisite meal at beachfront restaurant Casa Roots. It's a beautiful spot to watch a dreamy sunset.
Hodges Bay Beach
As beaches are public, access is via upscale Hodges Bay Resort. As a non-resident it is still possible to relax on the powdery white sand, use the bathroom facilities and purchase food and drinks from the bar. Click on the link for a YouTube video showing a 360 degree view of Hodges Bay.
A daily boat service runs from here over to Prickly Pear Island (low season the boat does not run on Mondays and Thursdays). If you prefer to stay off resort, click on the link for details of studio, 1 and 2 bed properties for rent in Crosbies and Hodges Bay.
Rendezvous Bay
Rendezvous Bay is a remote beach that cannot be accessed by car. Choose to take a hike from Wallings Dam, a 40 minute walk from Falmouth or perhaps via a boat tour such as Xtreme Circumnavigation that stops here for a rum punch. The beach offers plenty of shade and it would not be uncommon to find yourself being the only people here.
Click on the link to view a video of the Xtreme Circumnavigation boat approaching Rendezvous Bay Beach from my YouTube channel.