Come! Let’s Rock the Isolated Caribbean Islands of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua’s world is nothing but days on the beaches of the best white sand and crystal clear cobalt waters. On the other hand, life on Barbuda is somewhat the same with soft sandy beaches of reef-clad waters and birds, particularly frigates more than the total population.

Antigua is the land of winter homes for many famous people – guitar-player Eric Clapton, rag-trader Giorgio Armani, and tastemaker Oprah. Besides beaches and famous star spotting, the ideal and historic sights of English Harbor will grab many hours from you.

Barbuda is a desert island as it is the least populated one at 25 miles from Antigua accessible by 3-hours boat trip or 20-minute flight. This means you can only find beaches and swaying palm trees that are ideal for people who want to be away from all types of hustle and bustle. It’s only but major attraction is a tour on its private boat to access the beaches and frigate-bird colony along with tropical mockingbirds, warblers, pelicans, ibis, oystercatchers, herons, ducks, wild boar, and white-tailed deer. The only village here is Codrington where inhabitants stay and airport dwells. For tourists, there is a small resort and handful of guesthouses to stay. At  Barbuda, expect beachcombing on the northeast coast, golf and tennis at the resort, snorkeling, and diving at the resorts, the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, shipwrecks sight, and beautiful reefs.

The happiest news for you is that you can find your own beach on these islands of West Indies that suit your style and budget.

Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Attractions

• Barbuda’s Frigate Bird Sanctuary:
  Situated in the northwest lagoon and reachable only via an exciting boat trip, it is the home of more than 170 species of birds and more than 5,000 Fregata magnificens, the frigate birds. These aerial water birds are a wonder to see due to their largest wingspan of four to five feet as compared to the size of any bird’s body on Earth. Known as the man o’ war bird, they are often compared with the warships due to their size and flight. They tease pelicans, egrets, and cormorants. A bird with red throat pouch is a male one that can blow it on any misbehavior.
• Shirley Heights:
  The name stands for General Shirley who was the Governor of the Leeward Islands at the time of fortification in the 18th century. It is a sprawling series of gun emplacements and military mansions famous for captivating scene. You can catch the glimpse of the far away English Harbor. Be here on Sunday afternoon where you are invited with barbecue, steel band, and reggae music. Near to this, a  cemetery is perched that holds an obelisk to pay a tribute to the soldiers of the 54th troop.

• Sea View Farm Village:
  This is in Antigua whose pottery work has its origins in the early 18th century for making catering containers using the local clay. Although pottery is seen at many places in Antigua, this is the center of this cottage industry. Potters gather the clay from the close by depths and the produces are ablaze in an open fire on the green grasses in the work area at their houses. Eager to purchase these man-made ornate items? Well, you can even do so at the passages in the village and at stores. Know that this pottery cracks if kept in a cold atmosphere.
• Harmony Hall Art Gallery:
  Located in Brown’s Bay at Nonsuch Bay, this gallery is the hub of the Antiguan arts. With temporary exhibits all the year around, the gallery organizes the main attraction of the Antigua Artist’s Exhibition and the Craft Fair in November.
• Museum of Antigua and Barbuda:
  Located in the center of St. Johns’ in the colonial Court House of 1750 A.D., this is the beautiful museum exhibiting the chronicles of both the islands right from its geographical origin until the current modern look. You can spot a number of varied interesting objects including a life-size copy of an Arawak residence and the bat of Viv Richards, the famous cricket player.

• Betty’s Hope Sugar Plantation:
  In Antigua, this holds the credit of the first large plantation that promoted large-scale sugar production. Currently, you can only view the  two stone sugar mills and the stillhouse ruins. Plans are there to make it an open-air museum. Sir Christopher Codrington, who came here in 1674 A.D. from Barbados, created this sight and named after his daughter.
• Indian Town National Park:
  This is the Indian Town Point located on the eastern tip of Antigua. The Devil’s Bridge here that is a huge innate limestone curve on the coast provides a most scenic sight on the island. Watch this arch at the time of high tide when the Atlantic waves compel water to penetrate through holes in the rocks besides.
• Fort James:
  Constructed in the first half of the 18th century, this scenic citadel’s purpose was to protect the harbor of St. John’s. This surrounding view of the harbor is the main attraction along with some good walls and cannons. Close to this, the Heritage Quay offers a hotel, four cheap shops, and restaurants.
• Fig Tree Drive:
  Take up this scenic activity from the low central plain up to the old volcanic hills of the Saint Mary village in the southwest. Along the rough dive, you can wonder at the verdant vegetation; rainforest up to the sheer farmlands around Fig Tree Hill (Banana Tree); banana, mango, and coconut groves; small churches; and several ancient sugar mills.
• Nelson’s Dockyard:
  This is a national park with a museum, shops, hotels, and a ship retreat that holds the English Harbor and Shirley Heights. It is in St. John’s, the capital city of Antigua whose English Harbor was utilized by Admirals Nelson, Rodney and Hood as a safe dwelling place of the British at the time of the Napoleonic wars.
• Green Castle Hill:
  Located in the south of St. John’s, this is famous for its imposing geologic features and the views of the southwest volcanic mass and the interior plain.

Antigua Accommodations / Barbuda Accommodations

• Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort
• Antigua Village Condo Beach Resort
• Carlisle Bay Antigua
• Grand Pineapple Beach Resort, Antigua
• Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort in St. John’s
• Coco Point Lodge at Barbuda
• Hotel Palmetto resorts at Barbuda