Hi fellow travelers! My name is Christina Patel. Welcome to my travel article on the best things to see and do in the beautiful Antigua of the Caribbean. I’m a 28 year old from a place called Hertfordshire just north of London.
When I was 19, I moved to Greece to work for three months. I pretty much caught the travel bug then and have been exploring the world ever since. I have always been interested in content creation and blogging. I toyed around with it once or twice but never fully got into it until last year.
The pandemic meant I had a lot more time on my hands to start writing blog posts. So I created a website called “The Curly Commute” to share my favorite places and pictures with readers. Feel free to read a few of my posts and follow my travel journeys on Instagram at: @imchristinasophia.
My Amazing Trip to Antigua
My friend moved to Antigua earlier in the year to work remotely, instead of England (I can’t imagine why). I went over to visit her and was able to explore the island based on her recommendations. She had been there for two months before I arrived, so she created the perfect itinerary for me.
It was a mixture of beach days, hiking, boat trips and resort days. The whole trip was special but the boat trips I went on to Barbuda and a trip around Antigua were the highlights for me. It was a great way to discover different parts of the island and see turtles and stingrays along the way!
7 Best Things To Do in Antigua
The best way to describe Antigua is “paradise”. The water is so blue, the sand bright white and there are endless stretches of palm trees. There is so much to do here – whether you want to be active, laze on the beach or are interested in history. There is something for everyone to enjoy. Below are my recommendations for the top 7 things to do in Antigua:
1. Relax at Darkwood Beach and Ffryes Beach
Darkwood Beach and Ffryes Beach are the two most beautiful beaches in Antigua in my opinion. You get quite the “pinch me” moment when you first set your eyes on those beaches. Darkwood Beach was one of the first places I visited when I arrived in Antigua and it was the first time I had that realization of: “wow, I’m really in the Caribbean”!
2. Visit Sheer Rocks Resort & Restaurant
Sheer Rocks is a lovely resort perched on a rocky cliff that looks out over the beautiful Ffryes Beach. You can either come here for lunch or dinner with a view or you can hire out private rock/plunge pools that look out over the ocean. Prices here are super reasonable and the venue is world-class.
3. Watch the Sunset at Shirley Heights
Head to Shirley Heights to watch the sunset over English Harbour. Once the sun has gone down you can head back down to English Harbour to grab some dinner. It’s tranquil around here as you are surrounded by the calm waters of the harbour. This is the quintessential Antigua experience.
4. Spend the Day at Blue Waters Resort & Spa
Blue Waters is a 5 star resort but you don’t have to be staying here to enjoy it. You can come to Blue Waters for the day for $120 USD. This entitles you to free food and drink all day, as well as the use of three pools and three small beaches. It’s a great way to enjoy a little bit of luxury on your trip.
5. Take a Boat Trip to Barbuda Island
Barbuda island makes for such a great day out and is yet another slice of Caribbean paradise for travelers to enjoy. We went with a wonderful company called “Barefoot Antigua” and got together with a group of 12. Having the boat all to ourselves as we cruised to Barbuda was magical!
We were taken around Barbuda and then stopped at the island for lunch and cocktails. There are a couple of restaurants in Barbuda but one of the most popular is Uncle Roddy’s. Alternatively, they also have a branch of the sushi restaurant, Nobu. You can’t go wrong with either of these places.
6. Go Sunbathing and Swimming at Carlisle Bay
Carlisle Bay is yet another Antiguan beach. There are 365 beaches in total to choose from in Antigua, so you can’t go wrong! But this is one of the top rated beaches to visit for sure. Head to the beach for a day of swimming and sunbathing or visit at golden hour to take in a Caribbean sunset.
7. Swim with Wild Turtles at Galleon Beach
Galleon Beach is the best place to swim with wild turtles. The sand at the beach is nice, the water is calm and clear (making it perfect for snorkeling), and there is a natural shelf which you can swim out to with deeper water. There are also seagrass beds where turtles normally hang out. Swimming with turtles is a bucket-list activity that everyone visiting Antigua can enjoy!
Wonderful Local People of Antigua
The people of Antigua are friendly and welcoming and they always have a smile on their face. You are instantly welcomed on the island with open arms. I have only been to one other Caribbean island but I spoke to many travelers whilst in Antigua who have been all around the Caribbean. A lot of them said that Antigua is the best Caribbean island they have been to.
We had a local taxi driver who went by the nickname “Daddy Sheppy” because he was exactly that – like a dad to everyone. He would ensure that everyone was happy and safe. Every taxi journey with him was a lesson in Antigua’s landmarks and history. It was a really great chance to learn more about the island from a local. If you meet him on your trip, say hi from me!
Delicious Food Scene of Antigua
One great thing about Antigua is the food. You won’t go hungry on your vacation here as there is so much delicious food to try: jerk chicken, goat curry, fresh fish and more! My favorite restaurants that I would highly recommend are Dennis Beach Bar (Ffryes Beach), Cloggy’s (English Harbour), Casa Roots (Runaway Beach) and Beachlimerz (Fort James).
Shirley Heights is another great spot to visit as they have a BBQ and bar onsite. The best day to come to this viewpoint is Sunday just before sunset as the crowds tend to be smaller. This is where you can capture that classic Antigua sunset photo with a view over English Harbour and the hills.
Where to Stay in Antigua
If you are looking for the 5 star Caribbean experience, I recommend staying at either Cocobay Resort or Blue Waters Resort. The views, food and facilities in both of these places are second to none. I stayed in an Airbnb and prefer to do this when I travel as I like to keep costs down by cooking meals rather than eating out everday (this allows me to travel more often).
I stayed in an area called Jolly Harbour. This is a great location because there are lots of restaurants, a local beach and you are also close to some of the best spots on the island. There are lots of reasonably priced Airbnb’s in Jolly Harbour to choose from. Just search away and see what you find!
Need to Know Before you Go
Most places take card but remember to withdraw cash before you arrive. I found the cash machines were often out of order when I was there. Rent a car if you can. There are so many beautiful places on the island and these aren’t always close together. Renting a car is the best way to see them all.
The best time to visit Antigua is in the dry season between December and April/May. The local currency is Eastern Caribbean Dollars but they also accept US Dollars. Apart from those things, just enjoy your time on this Caribbean island paradise! Thanks for reading everyone. Safe travels!