It’s the start of a new year, and a great time to plan your sweet escapes over the next 12 months. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway, a week of relaxation, or something longer, Antigua & Barbuda have got just what you need …
Every tourist guide will tell you there are 365 distinct beaches in Antigua, one for each day of the year. They’re a magnet for adventurous sun-seekers and Vitamin Sea devotees of all ages. And we haven’t even talked Barbuda yet.
In Antigua alone, there’s world-famous Half Moon Bay on the east coast; secluded Rendezvous Bay in the southwest; ever-popular Dickenson Bay with its restaurants and nightspots . . .
But the island’s warm, glistening surrounding sea and gorgeously windswept bays aren’t just great for sunbathing: they’re perfect to try ziplining or windsurfing, or — more sedately — paddleboarding and snorkelling.
Tour the many islets off Antigua’s northeast coast on a catamaran cruise (sunset ones are our favourites); explore the reefs and other undersea formations at Cades or Sunken Rock; and be sure to allow a day or two to just soak in the rays, with cocktail in hand and sunglasses firmly in place.
Make sure to leave some time for the historic sites around English Harbour, shopping in St John’s, and exploring the rolling countryside of the interior.
A short plane or ferry ride away to the north is Barbuda, Antigua’s sister island. A truly undiscovered gem, this sparsely populated island is well worth a day trip (ideally, much more). Don’t miss the frigate bird sanctuary (host to one of the largest populations of nesting frigate birds in the world), and the dramatic 17-mile stretch of pink sand beach that separates the Barbuda lagoon from the Caribbean Sea.