Positioned 62 miles northwest of Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda of the British Leeward Islands are twin paradise islands which offer visitors over 365 beaches, bird sanctuaries, historical buildings and international shopping. Most tourists come to Antigua and Barbuda for the solitude of the pure white beaches while others know Antigua for its fantastic sailing facilities.
Along with the sun and the sand comes an interesting history of the islands. A variety of museums offer artifacts and insight into the island before and after it was claimed by Europeans. When you get there, hop into a cab and get a tour of the island from one of the natives. Drive along the Fig Tree Drive to experience tropical foliage and banana plantations. Then swing by St. Thomas and peak in the shops that display local crafts and fruits.
Barbuda, which lies 32 miles from its sister island Antigua, is a smaller, less developed island. If you go, be sure to tour the bird sanctuary, home to over 150 tropical species.
Facts
• Climate: Temperatures vary from the mid-70s to the mid-80’s.
• Currency: The Eastern Caribbean dollar, but U.S. currency is widely accepted.
• Language: English.
History
Colombus first landed on Antigua on his second trip to the New World in 1493, naming it after Santa Maria la Antigua of Seville. After about 130 years went by, the English decided to settle the island and make Antigua, along with it’s sister islands Barbuda and Redonda, Associated Members of the British Commonwealth in 1967.
Although the British were inhibiting the island, they still prepared for the return of the French. The British built forts and a major naval installation at English Harbour to protect themselves againt forces that never showed.
Today these historical dockyards have been restored to their original active service and are included in the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, a 15-square-mile park which includes the harbour, dockyard, Dow’s Hill and Shirley Heights.
Where to Stay
These hotels are recommended:
• Curtain Bluff
• St. James’s Club
• Blue Waters
• Rex Halcyon Cove
• Sandals Antigua
• Admiral’s Inn
• Barrymore Hotel
• Club Antigua
• Palmetto
Getting Around
You can catch a taxi to take you to your hotel, or for $20 you can have a tour of the island! Taxis are easy to find and typical fares will run you anywhere from $12 to $25 .If you decide to rent a car, bear in mind that the roads are badly marked and covered in potholes. To rent one, you must first purchase a $12 Antiguan driver’s licence sold at most rental agencies.
Here are a few of the major ones:
• Avis
• Hertz
Top Things to Do
Barbuda is one of the best beach destinations in the Caribbean. It has unspoilt beaches on all sides of the island. It is very rare to be on the beach with anyone else – except on the hotel beaches and these are open to all visitors as long as you keep to the waterline and keep your distance from the rich and famous!
Most of the beaches have no facilities so it is important to remember to take water and shade or find a place to keep out of the sun for some of the time. In some destinations it is said when you have seen one beach you have seen them all, but in Barbuda each beach is different, better than the last and interesting enough to keep even the most cynical holidaymaker happy for hours.
The beaches can have dangerous currents at certain times of the year but there are also areas which are perfect for children or non-swimmers, with shallow water and rock pools filled with tiny fish and crabs. There are aerial displays provided by pelicans diving close to the beach and everywhere you swim you will see fish darting about in the water.
On holiday weekends the beaches fill up with Barbudans who take picnics very seriously and bring loud music, food and truck loads of people to spend the day in the sea. In some of the cave areas people camp for several nights, catching and cooking fish, deer, and land turtle which can be shared by everyone, especially visitors. At Two Foot Bay and in other areas of the island there are huge caves to explore. In some there are ancient cave drawings and in others it is possible to climb right through to the top of the Highland and see for miles. Others go underground and underwater and require more expert knowledge of how to explore them.
A few miles from Highland there is the Darby Cave Sinkhole. After an easy 40-minute trek with a guide through the bush you suddenly come across a huge hole in the ground. With the tops of tall trees at eye level it is an amazing natural sinkhole. In very dry weather the salt ponds sparkle with crystalline sea salt which is still harvested here. A bush safari will delight bird watchers and nature lovers, who may want to stop for a picnic in the shade and a swim in the sea.
Around the coast of Barbuda there are many wrecks from different periods of the island’s history. There are experienced divers on the island who can guide visitors to the wrecks and it is possible to hire scuba diving equipment. The wrecks are often in dangerous water and it is important to seek local advice before attempting to explore them. As there are many fishermen and women on the island it is always possible to go fishing, either out at sea or in the calm lagoon water. Many people have boats and will take fishing trips out in them, bringing home barracuda, shark, tuna and other types of local fish.
Catching lobster is also relatively easy as they are a speciality of the island and can be caught by hand or in specially crafted fish pots.
One of the main tourist attractions is the Magnificent Frigate Bird Sanctuary, situated in the Codrington Lagoon, a 40-minute boat ride across the water. It is a spectacular sight even for non-bird watchers. In the mating season from September to April this rare bird displays a huge red breast to attract a female mate and they lay one egg on a nest built precariously on the mangrove. These birds cannot walk or swim; they soar high in the clouds and live solely on fish which they often steal from other birds, giving them their local name Man o’war. They have few predators here and this nesting site is one of the most important in the world for these endangered birds.
Shopping
Most of the shops in Antigua are open until around noon and are located around St. Mary’s Street or High Street in St. John’s. Local island crafts such as pottery and straw works are available as well as Antiguan rum.
A special treat is to visit the fruit and vegetable market at the West Bus Station on Saturday mornings. Here you can sample all of the exotic fruits of the island.
Food
Antigua and Barbuda both offer a wide variety of foods to satify your appetite. Most restaurants provide an international menu of French and West Indian cuisine as well as typical Antiguan meals such as saltfish and avocado. Also an ample amout of fresh seafood is available at most restaurants and is definitely worth ordering.
Located on a beach, Coconut Grove Beach offers a delightful variety of seafood as well as an incredible view. If you are touring the old warehouses, try Commissioner Grill, which serves a variety of foods cafeteria-style. If you’re lucky enough to be on the island on a Thursday, Shirley Heights Lookout set in an 18th-century fort, offers diners barbecue while they enjoy the sounds of steel drum and reggae bands.