Antigua and Barbuda are two of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. They're not as well-known as some other islands, but they offer much more than just warm sun and powdery sand. Antigua has a rich history, with many historical sites that tell an interesting story of this region's past, while Barbuda is home to pristine beaches with no rocky edges or sharp shells to worry about, and clear blue, calm waters that stretch for miles without interruption. Filled with lush rainforests, stunning waterfalls and historical sites that will take your breath away, you will definitely have a hard time deciding what to do first while visiting Antigua and Barbuda! Here are some ideas to give you a helping hand (besides hitting the stunning and absolutely captivating beaches, of course)!
Swim in the Devil's Bridge National Park
Devil's Bridge National Park is a great place to go swimming, snorkeling, or fishing, sitting right at the tip of Antigua's east coast. Plus, it is an exquisite spot to see some great views of Antigua, while also offering a number of trails that are open to hikers and bikers. An impressive outcome of waves crashing into the east Antigua shores for millions of years, the limestone-rock Devil’s Bridge is part of the last remaining rainforest in Antigua now turned into a spectacular national park near. Enveloped by a pristine landscape featuring the towering Signal Hill and a lush land whose volcanic soil sprout lemongrass, a beloved ingredient in the local cuisine, this is where you need to be if natural wonders excite you.
Go Birdwatching in Barbuda
Birdwatching is a great activity for people of all ages, and the island has many unique species of birds. The Antigua and Barbuda warbler, which is on the endangered species list and can only be found there, is one example. Another one of its residents is the Antigua oriole, which can be seen year-round in Barbuda's rainforests. Birdwatchers can also spot golden thrashers, yellow-crowned night herons, and white-crowned pigeons in this area.
Other birding hotspots are Mount Qua Qua (the highest point on Antigua) and Mount Liamuiga (the second-highest peak). These mountains offer excellent views over both islands, but they're also great places for spotting land birds such as blue-cheeked sapphire hummingbirds and masked boobies.
Take a Ferry to Scuba Dive Around Barbuda's Coral Reefs
If you're a scuba diver, take the opportunity to take a ferry from Antigua to Barbuda and scuba dive around Barbuda's coral reefs. You can do this during sunrise or sunset for the most beautiful views of the colorful fish and corals that inhabit these waters. Or dive at any time of day!
You can also go snorkeling in this area if you prefer not to get too deep underwater. A lot of people enjoy snorkeling at low tide because there are many shallow areas where it's easy to see all kinds of marine life including turtles, dolphins, rays and more!
Of the countless dive sites in Antigua and Barbuda, Fryer’s Shoal, Solomon’s Trail, Stadium, Cades Reef, The Net, Montserrat Wreck, Red Rocks, Black Point, and Barracuda Reef Wall are grest starting points!
Now, if you're not a scuba diver, there are many other things to do in Barbuda. You can go swimming or boating on the beautiful Caribbean Sea, take a hike up Black Rock Point for amazing views of the island and neighboring Antigua, watch the locals play cricket on Sundays or just relax on the beach with some rum punch.
Visit the Weekly Street Markets
If you're looking to experience the local culture of Antigua & Barbuda, consider visiting one of their weekly street markets. The street markets are a great way to get an idea of what life is like for many people on the island and lively places where you can buy food (also, try local cuisine), clothes, and other goods from local vendors. The markets usually occur every weekend and are open each day from early morning until around 2 or 3 pm. One of the most popular street markets in Antigua and Barbuda is the one-of-its-kind Artisans Antigua Travelling Market, a pop-up farmers and craft market featuring local artisans promoting anything from leatherwork to cosmetics!
Visit Ruins and Historical Sites
Both Antigua and Barbuda are soaked in history. Some of the must-visit ruins and historical sites on the islands are:
- Shirley Heights – Once a military fort built in the 1700s to protect against pirates and attacks from other countries, it now offers great views of English Harbour, Nelson's Dockyard, and St. John's Cathedral.
- Nelson's Dockyard – Now an 18th-century shipbuilding facility that once served as an important part of Britain's global trade network during its heyday in the 1700s. The site has been restored to its former glory after years of neglect during WWII by Antigua’s military forces who used it for defence purposes until 1976 when it was given back to the people of Antigua & Barbuda where it stands today as one of their most popular tourist attractions. You can tour this historic location via guided tours or explore on your own (for those who enjoy history).
- St. John's Cathedral – A historic church located in St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda. It was built in 1689 by the British as one of their first buildings on the island to help expand their control over this new territory they had just acquired from France. Today it has become an important symbol of Christianity and freedom for all people who visit or live there.
Visit the Museums in Antigua
The National Museum of Antigua and Barbuda is the most popular museum in the country. Located in the capital city of St John’s, it tells the story of Antigua and Barbuda through its history, culture, people, traditions, and beliefs. It also gives visitors an insight into how these islands were formed as well as their natural environment. The museum is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm and sits on the grounds of Independence Square, just north of St John’s, the capital city.
Go Deep-Sea Fishing
If you're into fishing, then you should definitely go deep-sea fishing while on vacation in Antigua and Barbuda. You can even hire a boat and captain for the day if you want to experiment with catching various types of fish that live in the waters off the coast of Antigua and Barbuda, including wahoo, mahi-mahi, white marlin, yellowfin tuna, barracuda, saltfish, blackfin tuna, and kingfish. Or you could try fly-fishing instead, for a more laid-back experience!
Shirley Heights is the Beating Heart of Antigua
Every Sunday, Antigua slips on its most colourful dress and welcomes partying crowds coming from all around Antigua and Barbuda to join the fun and lively night scene. Now, if you are not much of a party animal, you can certainly visit Shirley Heights for the heart-stopping views and sunset panoramas, given that this is one of the most popular lookout points on the island. Or you can head to Shirley Heights on a Thursday night, when the crowds are thinner and you get to enjoy just the same kind of fun, featuring rum punches topped with cinnamon, singing, steel drum music, barbecues, and mind-blowing vistas of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Nelsons Dockyard and the iconic English Harbour.
Antigua and Barbuda are two of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. They're not as well-known as some other islands, but they offer much more than just warm sun and powdery sand. Antigua has a rich history, with many historical sites that tell an interesting story of this region's past, while Barbuda is home to pristine beaches with no rocky edges or sharp shells to worry about, and clear blue, calm waters that stretch for miles without interruption. Filled with lush rainforests, stunning waterfalls and historical sites that will take your breath away, you will definitely have a hard time deciding what to do first while visiting Antigua and Barbuda! Here are some ideas to give you a helping hand (besides hitting the stunning and absolutely captivating beaches, of course)!
Swim in the Devil's Bridge National Park
Devil's Bridge National Park is a great place to go swimming, snorkeling, or fishing, sitting right at the tip of Antigua's east coast. Plus, it is an exquisite spot to see some great views of Antigua, while also offering a number of trails that are open to hikers and bikers. An impressive outcome of waves crashing into the east Antigua shores for millions of years, the limestone-rock Devil’s Bridge is part of the last remaining rainforest in Antigua now turned into a spectacular national park near. Enveloped by a pristine landscape featuring the towering Signal Hill and a lush land whose volcanic soil sprout lemongrass, a beloved ingredient in the local cuisine, this is where you need to be if natural wonders excite you.
Go Birdwatching in Barbuda
Birdwatching is a great activity for people of all ages, and the island has many unique species of birds. The Antigua and Barbuda warbler, which is on the endangered species list and can only be found there, is one example. Another one of its residents is the Antigua oriole, which can be seen year-round in Barbuda's rainforests. Birdwatchers can also spot golden thrashers, yellow-crowned night herons, and white-crowned pigeons in this area.
Other birding hotspots are Mount Qua Qua (the highest point on Antigua) and Mount Liamuiga (the second-highest peak). These mountains offer excellent views over both islands, but they're also great places for spotting land birds such as blue-cheeked sapphire hummingbirds and masked boobies.
Take a Ferry to Scuba Dive Around Barbuda's Coral Reefs
If you're a scuba diver, take the opportunity to take a ferry from Antigua to Barbuda and scuba dive around Barbuda's coral reefs. You can do this during sunrise or sunset for the most beautiful views of the colorful fish and corals that inhabit these waters. Or dive at any time of day!
You can also go snorkeling in this area if you prefer not to get too deep underwater. A lot of people enjoy snorkeling at low tide because there are many shallow areas where it's easy to see all kinds of marine life including turtles, dolphins, rays and more!
Of the countless dive sites in Antigua and Barbuda, Fryer’s Shoal, Solomon’s Trail, Stadium, Cades Reef, The Net, Montserrat Wreck, Red Rocks, Black Point, and Barracuda Reef Wall are grest starting points!
Now, if you're not a scuba diver, there are many other things to do in Barbuda. You can go swimming or boating on the beautiful Caribbean Sea, take a hike up Black Rock Point for amazing views of the island and neighboring Antigua, watch the locals play cricket on Sundays or just relax on the beach with some rum punch.
Visit the Weekly Street Markets
If you're looking to experience the local culture of Antigua & Barbuda, consider visiting one of their weekly street markets. The street markets are a great way to get an idea of what life is like for many people on the island and lively places where you can buy food (also, try local cuisine), clothes, and other goods from local vendors. The markets usually occur every weekend and are open each day from early morning until around 2 or 3 pm. One of the most popular street markets in Antigua and Barbuda is the one-of-its-kind Artisans Antigua Travelling Market, a pop-up farmers and craft market featuring local artisans promoting anything from leatherwork to cosmetics!
Visit Ruins and Historical Sites
Both Antigua and Barbuda are soaked in history. Some of the must-visit ruins and historical sites on the islands are:
- Shirley Heights – Once a military fort built in the 1700s to protect against pirates and attacks from other countries, it now offers great views of English Harbour, Nelson's Dockyard, and St. John's Cathedral.
- Nelson's Dockyard – Now an 18th-century shipbuilding facility that once served as an important part of Britain's global trade network during its heyday in the 1700s. The site has been restored to its former glory after years of neglect during WWII by Antigua’s military forces who used it for defence purposes until 1976 when it was given back to the people of Antigua & Barbuda where it stands today as one of their most popular tourist attractions. You can tour this historic location via guided tours or explore on your own (for those who enjoy history).
- St. John's Cathedral – A historic church located in St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda. It was built in 1689 by the British as one of their first buildings on the island to help expand their control over this new territory they had just acquired from France. Today it has become an important symbol of Christianity and freedom for all people who visit or live there.
Visit the Museums in Antigua
The National Museum of Antigua and Barbuda is the most popular museum in the country. Located in the capital city of St John’s, it tells the story of Antigua and Barbuda through its history, culture, people, traditions, and beliefs. It also gives visitors an insight into how these islands were formed as well as their natural environment. The museum is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm and sits on the grounds of Independence Square, just north of St John’s, the capital city.
Go Deep-Sea Fishing
If you're into fishing, then you should definitely go deep-sea fishing while on vacation in Antigua and Barbuda. You can even hire a boat and captain for the day if you want to experiment with catching various types of fish that live in the waters off the coast of Antigua and Barbuda, including wahoo, mahi-mahi, white marlin, yellowfin tuna, barracuda, saltfish, blackfin tuna, and kingfish. Or you could try fly-fishing instead, for a more laid-back experience!
Shirley Heights is the Beating Heart of Antigua
Every Sunday, Antigua slips on its most colourful dress and welcomes partying crowds coming from all around Antigua and Barbuda to join the fun and lively night scene. Now, if you are not much of a party animal, you can certainly visit Shirley Heights for the heart-stopping views and sunset panoramas, given that this is one of the most popular lookout points on the island. Or you can head to Shirley Heights on a Thursday night, when the crowds are thinner and you get to enjoy just the same kind of fun, featuring rum punches topped with cinnamon, singing, steel drum music, barbecues, and mind-blowing vistas of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Nelsons Dockyard and the iconic English Harbour.