6 Amazing Things To Do in Antigua and Barbuda

Located at the junction where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, Antigua and Barbuda is a tiny two-island country with a unique pastoral charm. Part of the Leeward Islands, it remains one of the most underrated vacation destinations in the Caribbean.

The ideal period to visit Antigua and Barbuda is from mid-December to mid-April. However, the islands are a year-round destination with a wide range of excursions to keep visitors busy. Having a strong British influence, prominently visible through the colonial buildings in the capital city of St. John’s, the islands are particularly a favourite among offbeat travellers from the UK.  

Famous for being the “land of 365 beaches,” the archipelago is also a popular cruise destination. However, you’ll need a few days on the islands to truly and leisurely enjoy the many things to do in Antigua and Barbuda.        

Museum of Antigua and Barbuda

One of the educational things to do in Antigua, a day at the museum, is an excellent occasion to spend a couple of hours with the family. The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda opened to the public in 1985. Before that, it was St John’s Court House since the mid-1700s, making it the oldest building in the city. 

As the nation’s primary museum, it exhibits an array of artefacts that provide visitors insight into the region’s history and culture. On display here are native Arawak findings from nearby archaeological sites, remnants from the British era, and a typical Arawak home replica. 

The diversity of the exhibition is genuinely fascinating. So, you will come everything from Archaic age tools and old handmade baskets to minerals and a bat used by famous cricketer Vivian Richards.     

St John’s Market

An excellent way to appreciate the culture of a destination is to partake in local daily activities. Therefore, among the best things to do in Antigua is to go shopping at St John’s Market. Residents of the island come here regularly to mingle, gossip, and purchase their basic everyday needs.

Located opposite West Street Bus Station, St John’s Market is especially abuzz with activity on Saturdays when it hosts the weekly street market. Several stalls pop up, selling all types of regional produce and products. For travellers, this is the best day to visit the market. You should, however, reach as early as possible to avoid the afternoon rush. 

While shopping at the market, look out for tropical fruits like dasheen, pineapple, mangoes, and sugar apples. You can also purchase handicrafts that make for excellent souvenirs. 

Most importantly, the atmosphere at the market is lively, with friendly vendors forever eager to speak with tourists and tell them more about their products.

Nelson’s Dockyard

Nelson’s is a Georgian era dockyard that is also Antigua’s biggest attraction. The UNESCO World Heritage Site in the English Harbour was at one time a British stronghold used to keep a lookout for any enemy ships in nearby waters.

Named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, who lived on the Royal Navy Dockyard in the 1780s, the area is today a national park with 12 miles of hiking trails. However, the principal dockyard has become a vibrant hangout spot with restaurants, hotels, beaches, and pulsating nightlife. 

Among the quintessential things to do in Antigua for tourists is visit Nelson’s Dockyard during the annual sailing week. Held at the end of April, close to 200 yachts arrive here and participate in various competitions. 

While touring Nelson’s Dockyard, try and hike to Shirley’s Heights. The nearby vantage point grants spectacular panoramic views of the harbour from a height of 492 feet. 

Stingray City

With a name straight out of a dystopian novel, Stingray City captures the imagination of most first-time visitors to Antigua and Barbuda. While filled with worldly wonderment, this stunning location is anything but fictional. In fact, a visit here is one of the essential things to do in Antigua and Barbuda.

The waters of the Caribbean Sea are teeming with vibrant aquatic life, best explored through scuba diving expeditions. Sadly, not everyone can indulge in diving. Stingray City is thus the perfect excursion to experience the vibrancy of the local marine life without having to book a diving course or trip. 

An exclusive location in the Caribbean Sea, Stingray City, is famous for being the home of several Southern Rays. Tours from the island take visitors to a pontoon in a shallow sea area where they can swim freely with these gentle and harmless giants. An outing for all ages, you can also feed and take photos with the rays. 

When booking your day trip to Stingray City, combine it with a stopover at Laviscount Island. This idyllic private escape is where you’ll find giant Aldabra Tortoises brought from the Indian Ocean. The reserve further fascinates and engages with its walking trails, a sandy beach, birding possibilities, and the chance to go snorkelling in a mangrove forest.        

Birding in Barbuda

Antigua, undoubtedly, takes most of the spotlight when it comes to cruising destinations in the Caribbean. Therefore, it is usually the tourists staying for an extended vacation who get the opportunity to appreciate the natural wonders of Barbuda.

Among the must-visit places in Barbuda is Frigate Bird Sanctuary. Situated near the capital city of Codrington, access to the sanctuary is only through a boat ride. Even though open throughout the year, the best time to see the maximum number of birds is September to April. 

Although over 100,000 birds live and visit Frigate Bird Sanctuary, it is mainly known for having the largest frigate colony in this part of the world. Frigates, who come here annually to mate, are beautiful birds with a wingspan of up to 7 feet.   

Pink Sands Beach

Spending copious hours taking in the rays is by far one of the main things to do in Antigua and Barbuda. And with no shortage of beaches on both islands, there are plenty of gorgeous nooks and corners you can enjoy sunbathing. 

Still, not all beaches are the same. Some happen to be more iconic than others. One such strip of sand lies on the south coast of Barbuda and is known as Horseshoe Bay Beach.

Popular with tourists, the speciality of Horseshoe Beach is that it is one of the pink sand beaches of Barbuda. The pink sand gets its colour from a natural phenomenon that includes seawater crushing seashells over time. Horseshoe Beach is perfect for a family day out, has lifeguards on duty, and offers amenities such as cafes, showers and restrooms.