Travel tips for your stay in Antigua:
Lookout points + more
In a nutshell, Antigua ranks high on our list of favourite Caribbean islands. Compared to other islands, mountains are not the most breathtaking, but the hilly landscape in the South is beautiful and beaches are great - not all, but most. Driving distances aren't too much neither. We would recommend to stay maximum one week unless you are looking for many more beach days to relax.
People say “Antigua has 365 beaches, one for each day of the year”
I would not be able to confirm that there are indeed 365 beaches on Antigua, but I can say that there are quite a few and we recommend our favourite ones below.
Accommodation
Area: The surroundings near English Harbour in the south of the island are very picturesque, a pretty harbour surrounded by hilly landscape. It's also a good place to start your day trips on the island. One of our favourite beaches "Half Moon Bay" is not far away.
Type: Our experience showed that private accommodation like AirBnB had better price-value than staying in hotels or resorts.
Our accommodation:
We stayed at the "Sea View Studio" rented by Sarah. This is probably one of the best accommodations we have had in the entire Caribbean. Ample parking space, good wifi and washing machine included! Sarah is a very kind landlord too. I have therefore decided to recommend her place here on my blog. You better be fast, her place is usually fully booked - have a look!
Car rental
Car rental company: We would highly recommend https://www.antiguarentalcar.com who even let us keep the car a few hours longer than the rented amount of days - and that without any additional charge.
Need for car: We highly recommended to rent a car on the Island. Like on most Caribbean Islands, bus service exists, but as a tourist with limited time, you would not want to bother.
Driving distance: Within less than one hour, most places on the island can be reached.
Road conditions: Roads have many potholes. However, when driving carefully, you do not necessarily need a big car. We had the smallest category and it was all right.
Supermarkets
Find in our supermarket recommendations in a map - click here or see below:
Our recommendation: Epicurean (two on the island) for an initial stock, otherwise Covent Garden (English Harbour). Other supermarkets either had low quality or ran out of goods (very low on stock).
Availability: You may find tiny shops every now and then while driving around, but real supermarkets are rather scattered - if coming from the airport and staying south at English Harbour, we recommend passing by a big supermarket in the North, e.g. Epicurean. Otherwise you are left with not much choice in the south.
Price level: On the expensive side
Favourite Beaches
Find our favourite beaches marked in a map - click here or see below:
Half Moon Bay: Probably for many visitors the most beautiful beach on the island
Deep Bay Beach: Our second most favourite beach, definitely stay at the North end with its fort up on the hill, accessible via road, pass on the North side of the pond
Jabberwock: Next to the street, but separated by greens, beautiful white sand
Hawksbill Bay: Nice beach, but mainly for nudists
Runaway Beach: Amazing blue waters and fine white sand
Bush Bay: Less for swimming, more for the hike through the forest, nice excursion, parking on the field when turning from the main road
We have also passed by Darkwood Beach, Ffryes Beach, Carlisle Beach, Fort James Beach, Dickenson Bay, but they are not our favourite beaches - either not the nicest surroundings or rather commercialized.
Highlights & best lookout points
Sunday night at Shirley Heights Lookout Point - see in map
Every Sunday night, Shirley Heights, the top of the hill south of English Harbour, transforms into a festival with local music and barbecue. Entrance is free. A barbecue meal costs starting USD 10 - this is a great deal for island food. Enjoy amazing sunset views while listening to local musicians making music on metal drums. Later on after sunset, dance to the music of a local band on the opposite stage until late. It is also worth to visit the same location a second time during day time. We just couldn't get enough of that view.
Hike up Fort Barrington National Park - see in map
Another great lookout point is Fort Barrington at the North end of Deep Bay Beach. Park your car, cross the bridge and walk up the pathway. We also suggest to continue walking behind the fort until the end Fort Barrington National Park - it's worth the views down the cliffs and won't take you long.
Drive up the hill at South end of Deep Bay Beach - see in map
Right next to Deep Bay Beach, at its South end, lies a hill with a great lookout point. One can drive up almost to the top by car. Access can be found in the residential area. Right opposite of Galley Bay Beach leads up a steep road. A small parking can be found to the right, just before the road is blocked. Just follow the driving directions on my google maps, find the spot and enjoy the view!
Map with all recommendations
Red: Airport
Blue: Supermarkets
Yellow: Favorite beaches
Green: Highlights
Personalized map created with Google Maps
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