28 AMAZING Things to Do in Antigua and Barbuda

Quick Guide To Things To Do In Antigua

Best For History – Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights 

Most Amazing Beaches – Galleon Beach, Valley Church Beach and Coco Beach

Best hikes in Antigua – Middle Ground and Shirley Heights Lookout Trails

Top for animal encounters – Stingray City and Lavinscourt Island 

Best for adrenaline junkies – Zip Line

Luxury tour experience – Helicopter Island Tour 

Best for escaping the crowds – Day Trip To Barbuda

Amazing cultural experience – Antigua Carnival

1. Soak Up Some Rays At Incredible Beaches

With over 365 beaches to choose from the hardest part will be which one to try first! You might enjoy driving along the island’s coast and just picking a beach as you drive. Stopping at a beach is a great way to cool off in the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

Our top recommendations are:

Pigeon Beach – this is our local beach and it has everything that you need for a chilled-out beach experience. We often head there for drinks at sunset as it’s just outside of English Harbour. It’s got a very safe swimming area with shallow waters, a beautiful view and a couple of delicious dining options to choose from.

Galleon Beach – if we’re not at Pigeon Beach at the weekend then you’ll find us here. We love the variety on offer, from paddleboard hire to snorkelling and even a rum master class. It has something for everyone plus a very cool restaurant in the middle. It has calm waters and white sand – the perfect place to spend a day, you’ll see why it’s such a popular destination.

Coco Beach – we love this one, as it has soft white sands and a very chilled out vibe as it’s not busy and there aren’t lots of facilities, if quiet is what you are looking for. If quiet is what you are looking for then this is a popular spot for relaxation.  Afterwards, to the award-winning Sheer Rocks for dinner.

Dickenson Bay – this is the buzzing Caribbean beach with everything. The great thing is that if you want to mix it up with some water sports, some good food and beach bar vibes this is the perfect beach.

2. Hike For The Best Views Of Antigua

We love to hike in Antigua as there are some awesome walking trails to explore such as Middle Ground and Shirley Heights Lookout trails in English Harbour. Or you could head inland to Walling Reservoir and hike to the second-highest point in Antigua called Signal Hill. If you are nature lovers then a hike is a great way to explore the island. Because you take in some of the most popular places along the way.  Don’t forget to bring some comfortable shoes!

There are some really good hiking tours that you can join where they explain the history of the trails. You’ll need to make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks – the trails can be hard work, especially in the heat! We’d also advise making sure that you’re going to time it to be finished before 9:30 am as it can get really hot after then.

The best two hikes, in our opinion, are:
Middle Ground (Goats) Trail – this hike connects Nelson’s Dockyard with Pigeon Beach. You’ll usually see lots of other people on this trail in the morning before it gets too hot. Some people even run it! You’ll also see goats (hence it’s nickname), and if you look carefully you’ll see hermit crabs, bumming birds and lots of little lizards.

Shirley Heights Lookout Trail – If you’re looking for some of the best panoramic views on the island then they are from the top of Shirley Heights. On the way up, you’ll go past the mermaid pools and through lush cactus woodlands.  You can also stop by the Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre to learn more about the historical sites in Nelson’s Dockyard National Park which this walking trail goes through.

3. Explore Nelson’s Dockyard

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is well worth a visit as it’s one of the main historic sites in Antigua. You can either take a tour or just pay for your entry into Nelson’s `Dockyard National Park and wander around at your own pace. It’s well-signposted inside and has a well-put-together dockyard museum inside with lots to interest you.  There’s even a cool boutique hotel there called Admirals Inn.  And yes, Admiral Horatio Nelson did once leave there.

The boat that Carl works on is based here in the winter and we love nothing more than people watching. You can watch other visitors touring around. You can listen out for scuttlebutt (that’s a yachtie word for gossip) from the yacht crews. And you can enjoy the comings and goings of the yachts parking up.  It’s particularly busy during Antigua Sailing Week when many yachts come to spend the week racing.

Top tip from a local: Don’t forget to head out to Fort Berkley at the entrance to English Harbour for some great photo opportunities. From there you can carry on hiking the Middle Ground Trail and take a swim at Pigeon Beach.

4. Discover The Shirley Heights Historical Buildings

We thought we’d start by giving a bit of an overview of Shirley Heights and the historic sites surrounding it. Together with Nelson’s Dockyard, Dow’s Hill Interpretive Centre, and Clarence House, Shirley Heights is part of the UNESCO Heritage Site known as the Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites.

The Shirley Heights Lookout was first used during the War of American Independence (1774-1783) as a signal station and lookout for approaches to English Harbour. The other buildings include the blockhouse which is a combination of a small fort at the headland and garrison complex that was used by British soldiers. Nearby Clarence House, another historic attraction, was once the island’s governor’s mansion and is now a museum.

There’s a fantastic trail up to the Shirley Heights Lookout if you fancy getting some fitness in.

5. Join The Shirley Heights Lookout Party

This lookout gives you incredible panoramic views over Nelson’s Dockyard and beyond to Montserrat.

Every Thursday and Sunday at Shirley Heights Lookout they host an incredible evening combining music, food, rum punch and the sunset. If you head up early you can wander the lookout itself beforehand.

There’s a wonderful atmosphere when everyone is watching the sunset whilst listening to the local steel band. Afterwards, there’s a local band playing live music of popular hit covers, and once the rum has kicked in the dancefloor gets very busy!

Top tip from a local: Get there early to grab a table as it gets busy, we normally get there at 4:15 pm. If you’re planning on eating then buy your food tokens with your first round of drinks. You can cash them in later as the buffet queue itself is never very long. The food is delicious!

6. Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation

If you’re keen on history then a visit to this sugar plantation makes for a great experience and thing to do in Antigua. You’ll spot the sugar mills as you drive up.  The historical site itself dates back to 1651 making it one of the oldest in Antigua. Between 1674 and 1944 it was a sugarcane workhorse owned and run by the Codrington family.

There’s lots to see at this cultural heritage site when you go as it’s set up as an open-air small museum. They are still restoring and preserving many of the exposed ruins such as the stone windmill, the still house and a cistern complex. In the small on-site museum, you can learn more about what work and slave life would have been like at the plantation.

Once you’ve seen the windmill at Betty’s Hope you’ll start to spot the ruins of other sugar mills located all over the island!

7. Visit Devil’s Bridge Limestone Arch

If you’re looking for a break from the beaches then Devil’s Bridge is good as you can sit and watch the Atlantic Ocean crashing in on the natural limestone Arch.

If you have a rental car and want to drive part of Antigua this makes a great stop for taking in some “relaxation” time. Especially if you’re looking for things to do in Antigua that escape the hustle and bustle of the beaches and resorts. Apart from the arch, there isn’t much there except a few local vendors selling souvenirs, which isn’t a bad thing as it means it never feels busy.

Top tip from a local: Easter Monday is the best day to visit as they have the annual Antigua and Barbuda Kite Festival happening there. With hundreds of kites from small to extra large flying in the air.

8. Swim with Stingrays at Stingray City

Antigua is one of the only places in the world where you can take a tour out into the sea to swim and interact with stingrays. We love going to Stingray City and it’s one of our favourite things to do.  Did you know that you’re actually seeing them in their natural habitat as they are free to come and go as they please.  Each time our kids get more and more confident with the stingrays. They’re just like puppies, rubbing against you as they glide past (the rays that are, not our kids, haha!)

Whenever we have friends come to visit this is one of our top things to do in Antigua to share with them (it’s why we’ve done it 5 times already!).

The boat tour takes you out to a sandbar in the sea where you’ll snorkel and swim with the stingrays. You don’t need to be a confident swimmer as the water is usually only chest-high. You’ll get a chance to hold a stingray and feed them too, all under the careful supervision of their guides.

9. Feed Giant Tortoises At Lavinscourt Island

When you arrive on this small island it’s like stepping back in time as you’ll be greeted by dozens of local tortoises. On the island, they also have a breeding programme for the giant tortoises from Mauritius, and you can enter their massive enclosure to get a closer look. It really surprised us how much, as a family, we enjoyed this tour!

Did you know that giant tortoises can live to 200 years old and weigh more than 300 lbs?

The main experience is to feed and pet the tortoise, which is incredible as they actually (when hungry) move much faster than you expect them to. They seemed to enjoy the attention they were given when they got a little rub on their shell or neck.

Top tip from a local: We added this tour onto our stingray tour as Lavinscourt is just a few minutes’ boat ride from the stingray HQ.

10. Pigs in Paradise

If you’re looking for more unusual things to do in Antigua, then look no further than the Pigs in Paradise unique experience. Yes, you read that right. If you’ve been to the Bahamas then you’ll know all about Pig Island, and now Antigua has its very own pig beach!

Pig’s Paradise brings their little piglets to Seaforth Beach where you have a chance to swim with the pigs and bottle feed them their milk.

It’s a quirky idea if you’re looking for something different to try out when you’re visiting the island!

11. Meet Some Local Donkeys

We must have been at least 20 times to Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary. It’s a great activity to do with kids in Antigua as not only do they get to brush the donkey but you’re also supporting a local charity at the same time.  This is the perfect place to heard if you’re animal lovers!

Entrance to see the animals is via a donation box in the gift shop. Your donation will help to support care for the over 150 donkeys that are looked after by the sanctuary. In exchange for your donation, they’ll give you a brush to stroke the donkeys with.

We enjoy visiting because you can learn the names of the donkeys (they each wear a named collar). And you can check out the information boards to learn more about their story and how they ended up at the sanctuary.

12. Airy Zipline Tours

Do you enjoy heights and adrenaline? Then this is an activity for you! One of the best things to do in Antigua is a zipline tour with Antigua Rainforest Zipline Tours.

There are various packages on offer depending on the number of zip lines you want to try. When we’ve been we always go for the full package as it’s such fun flying from tree to tree. At the end is a high-wire assault course, which I found much more daunting than the zip lines themselves.

It operates as a small tour so you’ll be with others as you zip through the rainforest. Also, there are points along the course where they have professional photographers so you can grab a photo at the end.

If you’ve never done a zip line before then this is a great one to try as the lines themselves are a medium length and height so great for beginners. So you’ll have a good hit of adrenaline but it shouldn’t be too intimidating.

13. Incredible Snorkelling and scuba diving

If you want to see sea turtles, rays and more, then Antigua is a great place to come. There are several very safe snorkel spots located off of some of the most beautiful beaches. The best locations for snorkelling are found off of Galleon Beach, Long Beach and Deepwater Bay. They have shallow calm water which is great for teaching kids to snorkel.

You’ll often see sea turtles at Galleon Beach if you get there first thing in the morning before the bay “wakes up” and people start to arrive by boats. You’ll hear the call of “turtle, turtle over here” as people snorkelling try to get the attention of their friends and family. My son and I often paddleboard around to see them.

Some fantastic tours for scuba diving and snorkelling will take you to remote locations to see more underwater action. The best of these take in the Cades Cay which is one of the coral reefs near the island.

14. Experience the Pillars of Hercules

These are surreal geological pillar formations rising out of the sea at the end of Galleon Beach. The relentless wind, rain and crashing waves have carved them out, and they’re impressive to see.

You can get to them either by hiking on foot or by boat tour.

It is well worth taking a boat tour of Antigua and if you do then I’d highly recommend taking one that includes the stunning Pillars of Hercules. I think that they are best viewed from the sea where you can take in their impressive shape. We’ve taken a snorkelling and scuba diving tour with Soul Immersions before and they’ve headed out to the Pillars of Hercules and the coral farm located nearby.

If you do decide to hike then I’d suggest heading there early in the morning before it gets too hot. It can be reached by walking along Galleon Beach to the far end and then hugging the coastline and beach. You’ll suddenly turn a corner and realise you’re there!

15. Learn To Kitesurf Or Wing Foil

Antigua and Barbuda has a couple of great kite surf spots. With great winds and warm waters, there is no better place to learn. It’s also a great thing to do in Antigua when you’ve had enough relaxing on the beach and want an adrenaline rush!

We’re currently learning to wingfoil at Jabberwock on the north of the island. The wind is clean and consistent and it’s never too busy. It’s easy to reach by car and at the school they have a bar so you can enjoy a cold drink at the end of the day on the water.

The second cool place to learn is out at Green Island. We’ve sailed to Green Island before to watch the kite surfers and to see turtles. The school there picks you up and takes you to their centre on a private island. It’s so popular that there is even a new restaurant on the island that opened this winter.

16. Visit St Johns

The capital of Antigua and Barbuda is the city of St John’s. It’s got the energy and vibes of a Caribbean island town and is the island’s main cruise ship port. Over the winter it sees 600,000 passengers visit it!

It’s worth spending a couple of hours walking around and taking in the atmosphere. If you like shopping then they have some great shops at both Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay. Food and drinks wise there are several cool bars such as Hemingways and Papa Zouk’s to try.

If you’re keen on history then there is the Cathedral, and the Museum of Antigua to visit. If you’re a cricket fan then you can also wander up to Old Recreation which was the former cricket ground before the new one was built.  And if you’re feeling energetic then you could walk out to Fort James (or take a taxi!), it’s a cool fort with a great beach below it!

17. Sample Local Cuisine

We love Caribbean flavours – you’ll find jerk chicken and fresh fish on most menus. We wanted to share a couple of great places to eat on the island where you’ll find a nice chilled atmosphere and warm welcome.

📍Beach Bum Cafe at Half Moon Bay – this is a local favourite spot to eat. The menu has simple dishes served with loads of flavour! Our recommendation would be to try the fish burger. We usually head to Half Moon Bay beach in the morning and book in for lunch at the cafe for after.

📍Casa Roots at Runway Beach – this restaurant serves a wonderful combination of French and West Indian cuisine. The restaurant itself is in a beautiful garden just off of the beach and is well worth visiting.

📍Trappas in English Harbour – this great place in the centre of English Harbour that offers a selection of local cuisines to choose from. The catch of the day option is really tasty and a particular favourite of ours. Make sure to keep a little space for dessert as there are some of our favourites in Antigua.

18. Take a cooking class

We love to take local cooking classes wherever we travel – and Antigua is no exception. We’ve found this great school called Nicoles Table where you can learn to cook local jerk style.

She runs all sorts of classes, from jerk to curries and much much more.

Top tip from a local: You must try the local Susie’s Hot Sauce before you, it is literally blow your mind tasty!

19. Blend Your Own Rum To Take Home

A fun way to spend an afternoon is to join the Rum Masterclass workshop that happens over at Galleon Beach.

It starts with a rum tasting, and then once you’ve decided which rums you like you’ll get to the fun part of blending your rum. You use a pot still so that you can distil your rum in the traditional West Indian way. At the end of the class you bottle and label your rum and finish it with a beautiful wax seal.

By the time you leave, you’ll have a stunning 750ml bottle of your spectacular bespoke rum.

20. View The Island From A Helicopter

Did you know that you can sail, drive or even fly around Antigua? For my 40th birthday, my boyfriend took me on a helicopter ride around Antigua and it was amazing!

The pilot will give you a tour of what you are seeing as you fly by, and there’s something incredible about skirting the seat and seeing turtles and stingrays from the helicopter. Or you can take the helicopter ride to Montserrat and fly over the active volcano there!

21. End Your Day With A Sunset Cruise

Taking a boat around part of Antigua is such a brilliant way to see the island from a different perspective and to try the more remote snorkelling sites. This is great for a solo traveller as it means that you can safely do some great snorkelling. Some of the best snorkelling can be found at Great Bird Island and can only be reached on a tour such as Eli’s Original Eco Tour.

Our ultimate recommendation for a beautiful way to finish your day is watching the sunset from a sailing yacht. Several sunset cruises leave from Jolly Harbour.

22. Go to a cricket match

The atmosphere and fun in the stadium is incredible during a cricket match in Antigua. It’s like a mini carnival with people in costumes, steel drums and other music and makes for a fun thing to do in Antigua for all the family. Plus there’s often another mini game of cricket happening on the mounds.

You might, like us, spend more time looking around than watching the match!!

The best tickets in our opinion are the ones in the mounds as it’s a melting pot of people and is really in the middle of the party atmosphere. Food-wise there are excellent meals served within the stadium, plus good value beers.

23. Drive Down Fig Tree Drive

This road in Antigua is beautiful – it cuts through the tropical rainforest. If you have a rental car then this is the most fun road to drive. Pick some good turns and enjoy the curves of the road but don’t forget to keep an eye out for large Antiguan potholes!

A fab half day out is to combine the drive with a stop at the ziplines, as they’re in the middle of Fig Tree Drive. Just driving in Antigua should be on the list as a cool thing to do in its own right as you dodge potholes, avoid stray donkeys and take in the incredible views.

There are a few things to consider when renting a car in Antigua, so it might be helpful to check out a post we wrote about renting a car.

24. Visit the Pink Sand Beach in Barbuda

Some of the beaches in Barbuda have sand that has a pretty pink to them. The pink is due to the crushed coral mixed into the sand. So, the tides, the seasons and the amount of corral in the sand all affect just how pink the beaches are.

These are some of the best pink beaches in the world. The pink sand on Barbuda stretches from the aptly named Pink Sand Beach to Cedar Point Beach.

25. The Frigate Bird Sanctuary In Barbuda

The frigatebird sanctuary is located in the Codrington Lagoon National Park. There are more than 170 species of birds living there, however the most famous is the frigate bird.

The impressive frigate bird has the largest wingspan in proportion to its body of any water bird. It’s wingspan is over 7ft! It’s also locally called the Man O War bird due to its superior size and flying capabilities. The best time of year to visit is between October and December in the mating season when the males puff out their incredibly bright red gullets to attract a girlfriend.

The reason that this sanctuary is so important is that it has over 5,000 frigate birds which is the largest colony in the Caribbean. These birds spend their lives lying between Barbuda and the Galapagos Islands.

26. Codrington Lagoon National Park In Barbuda

This saltwater lagoon is a hive of marine life including lobsters and turtles. The main dish to eat in Barbuda is lobster which has lived in this lagoon.

As well as being the home of the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, it is also a nesting site for turtles.

Since Hurricane Irma, much of the mangrove is still recovering, however, you can still hire a paddle board or kayak to paddle through it.

27. Caving at Two Foot Bay National Park In Barbuda

This untamed park on the northeastern coast of Barbuda is home to some amazing caves. If you’re interested in really exploring them then you will need to hire a guide as many of them are hidden.

However, to get to the main chamber and cave, you can hike there without a guide. If you do decide to go it alone, then the entrance to the cave is opposite a stone ruin at the top of a small bluff.

What you’ll be amazed to find is a three-chambered cave carved into the cliff. Inside it are Arawak petroglyphs and a bat chamber filled with thousands of bats! The Arawaks were living in the Caribbean between 4000 BC to 1500, meaning the cave carvings could be thousands of years old – which I think is pretty amazing!

As you climb up through the cave to its roof you’ll get stunning views of the ocean.

28. Join In The Revelry At Antigua Carnival

If you are visiting the island in late July and early August then you should definitely try to get along to Antigua Carnival. Antigua Carnival is a must-do experience that brings travellers from around the world to the island. We love it as it’s more than just a party; because it’s a cultural extravaganza deeply rooted in the island’s history and heritage. 

The great thing is that you can decide to either watch from the sidelines or get involved and join a local band. Most of our friends opt for T-Shirt Mas and join the bands as it’s a lot more fun to be involved and to get properly into Carnival.

Why Visit Antigua?

Antigua and Barbuda is a very welcoming country. It’s made up of two main islands called Antigua and (yes you got it) Barbuda. But, did you know that there are lots of other islands including Great Bird, Green, Guiana, Long, Maiden, Prickly Pear, York and Redonda.

For starters it’s got 365 beaches to choose from, so you’re never short of new ones to explore. Also, it has the perfect combination of a dry hot climate in the winter. The food is tasty, the nightlife is fun and the rum punch is, well…..punchy!

It’s also got some incredible activities and experiences to try from sailing to helicopter rides, snorkelling with stingrays to swimming with pigs.

Best places to stay in Antigua

📍 Luxury holiday: Jumby Bay Island, Long Island – this private island resort is the most exclusive in Antigua and Barbuda. Delivering luxury on another level!
📍Mid Range: Royalton Antigua – we love this resort as it’s great for families and has a cool swimming pool with slides for kids.
📍 Budget: Antigua Yacht Club Marina and Resort – perfect for a short stay if your plans are to explore the island. It’s a good little resort, it doesn’t have a pool but the beach is just a 5-minute walk away.

FAQs

Is Antigua safe?

Yes, it’s very safe. Like any country, you should follow common sense guidelines such as not having valuables on show, and not walking around at night alone.

What is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Antigua is in the winter between December to April. It’s a good temperature and it’s much drier than the summer. Another reason is that it’s outside of hurricane season so it’s a lot safer to visit.

What is the currency in Antigua?

The currency in Antigua and Barbuda is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) more locally called “EC”. Most things will be priced in EC, and some such as tours and accommodation will also be advertised in US dollars.

You can use US dollars in Antigua and Barbuda. If you do then your change will be given to you in EC.

How to get from Antigua to Barbuda?

There are several ways to get between Antigua and Barbuda; these are ferry boat, yacht and helicopter.

Is there a ferry from Antigua to Barbuda?

Yes, there is a ferry between Antigua and Barbuda. It is called the Barbuda Express and takes roughly 90 minutes. There is a ferry every day from either Jolly Harbour or St John’s at around 6:30 am, it’s best to check the schedule as it does change.

Where is the Antigua cruise port?

The cruise port in Antigua is located in the bay at St John’s Harbour on the northwest coast. The terminals themselves can be found at the end of the Heritage Quay. Three piers have space for up to five ships.

What’s the best way to get around Antigua?

There are several options on how to travel, there is a huge variety of tours available or you can rent a car to explore, both are very safe. Taxis are also an option, but you’ll find that the costs soon mount up, so we’d suggest tours or rentals are better value.

Final Thoughts On Things To Do In Antigua

There are a lot of fun and amazing things to do in Antigua. You can get to know the island and explore by trying new activities and experiences such as cooking classes and rum-making workshops. If beaches are your thing then with 365 different ones to choose from, you could spend weeks exploring Antigua to find your favourite ones!

We love living here in the winter, and hope that you decide to visit Antigua and experience for yourself why we love it so much!