This is a bold statement but I think Antigua might be my favourite Caribbean island. I recently went for my third visit and fell even more in love with the paradise beaches, intriguing culture and heritage, and the BBQ ribs. ( I can never get enough of those ribs!)
If you’re planning a visit to Antigua and Barbuda, these are all my can’t-miss experiences, including a couple of hot new addresses that need to be on your list.
The Hut Little Jumby
The hottest new address in Antigua is The Hut Little Jumby, a chic private island restaurant and beach club by the same team who run the iconic The Hut on the Isle of Wight in England.
I was lucky to be one of the first guests to experience their unique brand of hospitality and the food, setting and atmosphere were all flawless.
The beachfront restaurant is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week and offers a creative menu of dishes that blend blend tradition and modernity. (The fish tacos and bang bang conch were highlights for me.)
You can also come for drinks in the laidback bar and garden. Keep an eye on the website for details of their live DJ sessions at the weekend if you’re craving a vibey experience.
For a special occasion you can hire one of their uber chic beach cabanas and spend the day enjoying sunbeds, sofas, a private bar and showers on the immaculate sands of Little Jumby.
To get there, hop on The Hut’s free catamaran from Barnacle Point on the mainland. You can also catch a shuttle boat from Jumby Bay Island if you’re a guest there.
Shirley Heights
Perched on a hill above English Harbour, Shirley Heights is not just a viewpoint but an experience not to be missed when in Antigua, especially on a Sunday when they hold their infamous sunset party.
Not only are the sunsets from Shirley Height’s breathtaking but imagine this scenery set to a backdrop of steel drums, smoky BBQ meat and sweet rum punch and you’ll get an idea of the incredible atmosphere here on Sundays.
The Shirley Height’s Sunday Party runs from 4.30-8.30 and can get busy during peak season as it’s legendary throughout the Caribbean. There is an entrance fee of EC$25 / US$10 so bring some cash, especially if you plan to tuck into the BBQ food. (Which you absolutely should because, as mentioned earlier, the ribs are amazing!)
Kai Coconut
So far this post has been all about epic places to eat and drink in Antigua and I’ve got one more for you! Kai Coconut is a floating bar with fun waterslides and delicious bbq food where you can spend the day bobbing on beautiful turquoise waters.
The 2-storey catamaran is moored at Valley Church Beach on Antigua’s west coast, which is famed for its aquamarine waters. It is accessed by tender from Small Ffryes/Coco Bay and offers various packages including VIP experiences and sunset parties. It’s got a great buzzing vibe and, you guessed it, the bbq ribs are amazing!
Humble & Free Tour
For something completely different I highly recommend one of Humble & Free’s eco-tours, which offer an authentic insight into Antigua’s Rastafari community. We did the Jabba Pot cooking experience with charismatic Rasta Rich and enjoyed great conversation and really delicious food.
Humble & Free offer various different experiences from farm tours to hikes, taking guests on immersive journeys to parts of the island your average holidaymaker wouldn’t normally see.
Nelson’s Dockyard
A must-see in Antigua is Nelson’s Dockyard, the world’s last remaining working Georgian dockyard, which was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Park in 2016.
Take a guided tour, or just come for a stroll, around this beautifully preserved 18th-century naval dockyard and marina for a glimpse into the island’s maritime history.
Relax on one of Antigua’s 365 stunning beaches
Antigua has 365 beautiful beaches but there are a few names that always crop up on the list of favourites:
Ffyres Beach – My personal favourite, this beautiful secluded beach on the southwestern corner of the island is perfect for long romantic walks far from the crowds.
Jolly Beach – This lively long beach offers an array of watersports, bars and restaurants, and calm waters ideal for snorkelling.
Dickenson Bay Beach – On this mile long stretch of golden sand you’ll find a mixture of high end resorts like Royalton CHIC Antigua and more rustic style beach clubs like Siboney Beach Club. It’s only a 10-minute drive from St John’s so is a good option for daytrippers arriving by cruise ship.
Carlisle Bay Beach – Boasts an incredibly photogenic golden crescent lined with palm trees and backed by verdant hills on the south of the island.
Day trip to Barbuda
If you’ve got enough time, hop on a boat or plane to explore Antigua’s twin sister, Barbuda, and discover Pink Sand Beach & Frigate Bird Sanctuary for a unique bird-watching experience.
Where to stay in Antigua
Stay at Tamarind Hills, a luxury villa resort nestled in the hills above Ffyres Beach, for a base on one of Antigua’s most beautiful beaches.
A member of small luxury hotels, Tamarind Hills Resort & Villas offers an elevated Antiguan home from home with stylish private residences & studios that come with fully equipped kitchens and generous private pool terraces.
I stayed in an Ocean View Studio with Jacuzzi and loved the rustic chic decor and panoramic beach views from the suite and balcony.
More great places to stay in Antigua
For the ultimate luxury escape check into one of the only overwater villas in Antigua at Royalton CHIC Antigua, an adults-only all-inclusive on beautiful Dickenson Bay Beach. (See slideshow before for more info!)
For families, you can’t beat St James’s Club Antigua, an all-inclusive family-friendly resort boasting 2 beaches, 6 pools, 5 restaurants, tennis courts, watersports, kids club and spa.
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I travelled to Antigua as a guest of Traverse Events & Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.
