How many beaches does Antigua have? What & Where Are The Top Beaches?
You may have heard that Antigua has more than 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. That is a list we want to see. Even if it’s folklore it’s impressive as they clearly have a lot. We show you here some of the most beautiful beaches in Antigua.
Antigua Beaches
Click on the names of the Antigua Beaches to scroll quickly to them in this article
What are the Best Beaches in Antigua? What beaches do we LOVE?
Depending on what you are looking for in your ideal Antigua Beach, chances are Antigua has it covered. There is no surfing here unlike in Barbados, yet you can have a lot of fun in the waves at half moon bay for example. The waters are mostly pretty calm (some storms at sea can create waves on certain days. Please take reasonable care on the day) the calmest beach is maybe Pigeon beach.
Beaches For Snorkeling
The best beaches of Antigua for snorkeling are Pigeon beach and Galleon Beach and the far end of Dickenson Bay. Antigua is a very sandy island so it is very hard to find non stirred up bottoms! The sand causes less than perfect visibility. If you can go around to the pillars of hercules it’s also a great spot and an actual dive site. There is always Cades reef but you will need a tour to get out to it.
If you are looking for a perfect getaway in the Caribbean, you might want to consider renting a villa in Antigua. Of course, we say yes! Antigua is a beautiful island with 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. It also has a rich history, culture (a friendly welcoming nation of people) and cuisine, both local and international that will make your stay unforgettable. So let’s say you pick Antigua for your vacation.
Benefits of renting a villa
But why choose a villa over a hotel? Here are some of the benefits of renting a villa in Antigua:
Privacy: A villa gives you more space and seclusion than a hotel room. You can enjoy your own pool, garden and terrace without sharing with other guests. You can also choose a villa that suits your preferences, whether you want to be close to the beach, a beachfront view, a mountain backdrop or an exclusive resort setting. Some villas are inside resort complexes so you can get the best of both worlds.
Comfort: A villa feels like a home away from home. You can relax in cosy living rooms, cook your own meals in fully equipped kitchens and sleep in comfortable bedrooms. You can also enjoy amenities such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, cable TV and laundry facilities. Some villas even have extras like jacuzzis, gyms and game rooms.
Service: A villa rental often comes with personalized service from a dedicated villa management staff. This is depending on the budget to the extent of this of course. You can have a housekeeper, gardener, chef and concierge at your disposal. They can help you with anything you need, from cleaning and maintenance to grocery shopping and restaurant reservations. They can also arrange activities and excursions for you, such as sailing, snorkelling or hiking- all of these are great in Antigua.
Value: A villa rental can be more cost-effective than a hotel stay, especially if you are travelling with family or friends. You can split the cost among your group and save on dining out and other expenses. You can also find villas that fit your budget and offer discounts for longer stays. To maximise your budget go to the bigger supermarkets not the convenience stores dotted all around.
So where can you find the best villas in Antigua? Here are some of the top options:
Villa Retreats: This company has a stunning collection of luxury villas in Antigua, including Nonsuch Bay and Blue Waters. They have private pools with stunning views and access to resort facilities like golf courses, spas and restaurants.
Antigua Estates: This company has a fine selection of luxury beachfront and waterfront villas along with exclusive high-end ocean villas and apartments available to rent on short or long-term leases. They have properties near English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour, which are popular areas for nightlife, shopping and sailing.
Antigua Holiday Villas: This company offers lovely villas for rent with private pools located near English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour as well as Galley Bay overlooking the bay. They have properties that range from 3 to 5 bedrooms that can accommodate up to 10 guests.
Isle Blue: This company features the largest and best collection of Antigua villas and vacation rentals. They have properties in Jumby Bay Villas, Nonsuch Resort and Tamarind Hills Villas. They also offer expert advice coupled with highly responsive service.
As you can see, renting a villa in Antigua is an ideal way to enjoy this island paradise while getting a break. Whether you want to relax on the beach, get some focused project done, enjoy the culture and pace of Antigua- or have some fun you can find a villa that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
Previous article title – Castaways has a stylish refurb
Enjoying a nice sunset cocktail in happy hour. Lounge-style music and light in appearance Castaways is now a firm favourite for the locals and expat community.
This is now an old post the establishment is now called the Pop-Up Bar but in essence, is still the same.
It is unfair to compare Luxury across islands places and budgets.
Luxury is a very easily used word (especially online) and we become somewhat immune to it. Luxury is also very subjective so we took a risk using it for the title of this sample resorts guide. Nevertheless consider the following reports as Luxury for Antigua.
Antigua Luxury Resorts
You can expect:
Top top uncrowded beaches with clear inviting turquoise water High levels of customer service High levels of comfort (air conditioning and furnishings) Excellent pools restaurants and watering holes Space (time for Zen) Fantastic choices of cuisine and beverages created by world class chefs
You might expect:
In resort fast service yet relaxed and attention to the details that count Outside, slow travel
Think of Antigua differently
However you still would not visit Antigua on the basis of Luxury alone. An Antigua luxury resort would not compete with New York, Paris, London or Dubai. Antigua has a unique culture and some say time zone! Here the business is relaxation and enjoyment to the fullest. What Antigua offers is a charm and delight way beyond luxury and different- therefore no competition.
We look at 5 options; Jumby Bay, Carlisle Bay, Cocobay, South Point and Admirals Inn at different price points all befitting the word luxury in one way or another.
The most exclusive resort on the island. In fact it is located on it’s own island.
Jumby Bay Island
Jumby Bay Style
Jumby Bay Suite
For this reason celebrities like it– those not wanting their own luxury villa or owning their own property.
Price range: USD. 1500-2300.
It is a 300-acre private island located two miles off the coast of Antigua. It boasts of a variety of wildlife amidst tropical foliage and white sand beaches. The resort has 40 rooms and suites. There are some privately owned residences also.
This all-inclusive resort provides amenities which include seamlessly arranged airport transportation, breakfast and free wifi.
They have a pool, outdoor pool, fitness centre, restaurant, bar/lounge, spa, business centre, tennis court, among other things.
The main attraction is water skiing training provided to guests.All other water sports too are available such as deep sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling. Hobie Cat sailing is very good at all resorts in Antigua.
This resort is located on the beach at Carlisle Bay and the cost ranges from USD 500-1500. Airport transfer is included.
It has a private beach and thus, the location brings solitude for the tourists. The property has a tropical garden and the air-conditioned rooms offer garden or ocean view and a balcony or terrace.
It has an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre with personal training, Spa, Sauna and Tennis court.
Canoeing, diving, fishing, windsurfing, non-motorised water sports, snorkelling, hiking, horseback riding, table tennis etc., are the other attractions.
Cocobay Resort is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort, located at valley church, Antigua.This resort sits on a bluff between two southwest-coast Antigua bays. Cost ranges approximately between USD.400 to 720.
The package includes meals, snacks, local beverages (restrictions apply) and beverages in the in-room mini-bar.
They have a spa, two restaurants, free wifi, outdoor swimming pools including infinity-edge pool, onsite hiking and kayaking, snorkelling, skydiving, and live music entertainment.Also available are tennis facility, marina, scuba diving and casino at nearby locations. Also, nearby is the big Ffryes bay, with its 1000 ft beach, with furnished thatch shades.
A special attraction on offer by the hotel is the adult-only and honeymoon getaway.
This hotel is situated adjacent to the Antigua Yacht Club Marina in Falmouth Harbour.
Southpoint Dining
Southpoint Pool
Southpoint Pool
Price: USD.270-1000
Balconies of rooms afford a view of moored yachts.There is a large terrace with a waterfront view across the bay.Apart from Mediterranean and middle eastern cuisine on offer, they boast of sushi bar too.Entertainment options are available within walking distance.
ADMIRAL’S INN AND GUNPOWDER SUITES
This Resort is located at St. Paul Parish, English Harbour, Antigua.
Pricing is around USD. 180 – 600
This is a boutique type of hotel and is a part of the UNESCO heritage site and steeped in history.
It is at a secluded section of nelson’s dockyard at a distance of 100 yards from the bay. The buildings face waterfront and provide a breath-taking view of Nelson’s Dockyard.However, the beach offered with the Admiral’s Inn and Gunpowder Suites is of the non-swimming type.
Easy transportation through their shuttle service is available at the entrance of the Resort, to go to the swimming beach in freemans bay and other places.Kayaks are available to explore the harbour.Also, many bars and restaurants are available within walking distance.
Tip: Taxis Vs Renting a Car in Antigua – Renting a car wins!
One of the main drawbacks of an Antigua vacation is the cost of Taxis. Gasoline isn’t particularly expensive in Antigua. So why then are taxis quite expensive? Firstly the term expensive is relative- they are expensive in terms of if you will be dependent for a week on them. They fix their pricing and operate a system so they don’t ever barter each other down. Read about Renting a car in Antigua here.
Airport Taxi Prices Antigua
Know the price on arrival at the airport in advance by downloading the fares this way you negotiate on strong terms of knowing the actual price!
Despite what you may read on Facebook groups or in forums you will get a shared taxi from the official desk unless you are VERY lucky and no one else is going in that direction. And there are always clusters of resorts so it is unlikely.
If you would like a private transfer that can work out the cheapest for small groups then we recommend you use a private van service giving airport transfers on our parent website as a reputable and well-reviewed service – Antigua Airport Transfers & Taxi. Reviews here. Renting a car for a week doing a lot of driving expect to pay about $100 ECD (approx. $37USD) in fuel. So you can see from the board here at the Halcyon Cove (sadly no longer in existence) shows the high prices of Taxis but renting a car offers savings to be made. Going to (and returning) the 1st Choice supermarket just up the road is $20 USD for example ($10+$10). The sad thing is that what happens is the following:
Tourists stay in resorts more, depriving Antiguans of their ability to make from tourism.
Taxi drivers work less and possibly earn the same (I’m guessing the government win more though)
The tourist sees less of Antigua and enjoys the holiday differently – they might as well be in a Cuban or Dominican Republic resort at half the cost.
Our recommendation (if you want to economize) is to take a rental car from a reliable company. Just get extra insurance to give you full coverage. Antigua car rental insurance is only ever 3rd party and your liability will be around $2500 for a basic car but much more for a nice big Jeep. If you want peace of mind and have the money just organize a taxi from Best Antigua- you can do it via WhatsApp via wifi get picked up and go.
Taking the bus in Antigua
Local Antiguan minivans cost a fraction of the price and can be hailed from the side of the main roads, expect to pay just a few ECD but you will be in hot cramped spaces and have to wait sometimes a good 40 minutes. There are some routes that are better than others the route from Jolly Harbour is good into St John’s is an example.
Booking a transfer with British Airways to ANY resort in 2023
Look how expensive it is to get a private transfer booking through your airline as a bundle!
TIP: Book with Best Antigua for the best private rates and service especially good for groups.
If you liked this article you might be interested in these related articles
I have been visiting and living on Antigua for around 15 years now. It’s 2023! Wow where did the time go. I started to blog on the beaches and island’s best things to see and do. I love to hear from you if you read my posts so please do leave a comment below. Here in this picture you will find me Rachel and Rocky. He runs the Liquor store with the best discount. Just go in and mention BESTANTIGUA and he will find some discount for you!
Thank you- if you got some value please post this link in your Facebook groups or Trip Advisor posts to help me continue.
UPDATE: Starting November 4, 2023, Frontier will have weekly nonstop flights between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) in Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua will be served by a new budget airline called Frontier Airlines come December 4th
Who is Frontier Airlines?
Frontier Airlines is a low-cost USA Airline with its headquarters in Denver CO.
It is really nice having a T Shirt advertising to the people around you that you love our island! It starts conversations and is a nice feeling to put it one and think about having your relaxing time in Antigua.
This years Antigua sailing week has started with fabulous conditions. The week ends May 5th and already we have seen the classics race and we are into the main events.More
Located in the South West side of Antigua on the calmer waters (leeward side) is Valley Church Beach golden crystalline sand and warm turquoise water.More
Antigua is the perfect destination to have your sunny Caribbean beach wedding. Its 365 white beaches give you a wide variety of choices to plan your flawlessly beautiful wedding. You can have your ceremony on a secluded beach or on a luxurious yacht or simply amongst coral reefs. Getting married in Antigua is an easy process with minimal legal requirements. You don’t need to have minimum stay before getting married here. The marriage in Antigua is perfectly legal and binding. You only need to be 15 years and above in order to get married here. If you wish to have a church wedding, you will need to take permission from the local church authorities and also attend the pre-nuptial consultation.More
The BBC in this blog post highlight one positive aspect of Antiguan culture in this link. There are some nice historic photos allowed to be published by the museum of Antigua and Barbuda. Send us your photos of carnival.
I wanted to quickly share some of the drinks that you can try in Antigua, and one recipe. This is a work in progress and I hope you share some of your favorites in the comments below or twitter @bestantigua #antiguamydrink
Lionel Messi thought by many to be the best footballer that ever lived and currently the best footballer in the world perhaps, it’s all a bit subjective- he’s good at the game! The newlyweds Lionel and Antonela (Antonela Roccuzzo) chose Jumby Bay Antigua for the honeymoon like these guys too. They got married in Rosario Argentina, his place of birth. There was an influx of the best football players and stars (Shakira and Neymar +co) in Rosario to help the happy couple celebrate their holy union.
Many choose to honeymoon in Antigua if not have the actual Antigua wedding. It was a pleasure going through and selecting the best honeymoon videos that took place on our paradisiacal island.More
Those areas really are interesting indeed. I would also add the villas at the north end of Darkwood beach to the stunning list of luxury property featured in this article.
