Discover the islands of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda are the quintessential Caribbean islands that boast some of the most exceptional beaches in the World. Located in the archipelago of the Leeward Islands, these idyllic islands offer all year round sunshine, powdery sand beaches and crystal clear waters.

Admiral Horatio Nelson sailed to Antigua and you’ll notice an English influence with the narrow roads, colourful villages and historic buildings. The island has 365 beaches providing beach paradise to all who visit. Most of the reef-filled waters are situated on the Caribbean side of the island with its coral reefs attracting snorkelers and divers worldwide. Barbuda’s coastline is edged with long pink and white sandy beaches and protected by barrier reefs. The island also offers abandoned forts, caves and ancient shipwrecks.

Temperatures on these tropical islands range from 26°C to 30°C with a very respectable 7 to 8 hours of sunshine each day. We traveled to Antigua in September a few years back. It was a fantastic time of year to go as there are less crowds and the prices are much more competitive.

We had glorious sunshine every day we were there with a couple of evening showers that completely cleared the air. You’d think the temperature would take a drop but it really didn’t, we just lost the humidity. It proved a great time to play tennis unlike in the midday sun when it was too hot to be exercising!

There were four beaches at the Hawksbill Hotel Resort with more close by so we really were spoilt for choice. The Antiguan and Barbudan people are so welcoming and genuinely happy to share their island with you too. Cricket is the national sport of Antigua and the POD Father often joined the locals for a barefoot game in the sand. Most memorable however were the football matches he joined in with. It’s not often you play on a slanted pitch that has to cleared of cows before you begin. It made for a very interesting game that’s for sure!

Many of the beaches in Antigua look like they’re private but they’re all open to the public. There’s so much choice on offer with beaches to suit couples and families alike. While we adore beautiful beaches and enjoy the relaxation they bring, we’re adventurers and we like to explore too. Antigua and Barbuda offer both.

Antigua is a walker’s paradise. From hilltop to coastal promenades, amongst the ruins of historic forts and sugar mills to the verdant rainforest, every hiking environment is catered for. You can also take to the skies in the forest on a zip-line adventure. In Barbuda, there are a wealth of caves to explore.

We had a wonderful time visiting English Harbour which is home to the world-famous Dockyard, named after Admiral Nelson. Once home to the British Royal Navy, it’s the only marina from the Georgian age. The museum and restored buildings highlights the history of the island, the dockyard and life at the forts. There are two forts close by – Fort Berkeley which is a superb vantage point and Fort George, located at the summit of Monk’s Hill.

In St John’s, we visited Fort James which is named after King James II as he reigned while the fort was being built. In the 1700’s, thirty-six guns were mounted in place and there were barracks for 75 men. Today just one cannon survives. The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda provides an interesting history from 10,000 years ago including how the islands were formed and who lived there.

Betty’s Hope was a poignant reminder of Antigua’s slavery history during the sugar era. Located just south of Pares Village, it was a prominent sugar plantation for more than 300 years. The natural bridge Devil’s Hope is also well worth a visit as is Stingray City where we got to swim with stingrays and tropical fish in the coral reefs.

One of the most memorable days we had was a trip to Shirley Heights for the the BBQ party. Held weekly, it’s a 30 year-old tradition that features the AMP Halcyon Steel Orchestra who are among the best steel orchestras in the world. The atmosphere was electric with the spectacular sunset and exotic drinks as standard.

To see a short film of the islands and check out special offers, click here. To explore more of Antigua and Barbuda, click here.

Numerous events take place on these amazing tropical islands. Check out the event brochure below to see what’s on when.

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Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post with the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. Photographs iStock.