Curator’s statement
Antigua and Barbuda is an absolute island paradise with breathtaking beaches and crystal clear waters. I was fortunate enough to spend a romantic Valentine's Day trip exploring the incredible island. We stayed on Dickenson Bay Beach and used that as our home base for all of our explorations. You could easily spend every day on the beach in Antigua (there are 365 of them, after all.) But this tiny island has a lot more to offer. It’s the perfect place for a romantic getaway!
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Day 1: Dickenson Bay bliss
This is one of the most popular beaches on Antigua! You can rent a beach chair and check out the many beach bars and restaurants nearby! Salt Plage and Ana’s on the Beach both have great food.
Dickenson Bay is also a great place for watersports! You can rent jet skis paddleboards from the shack on the beach; or sign up for a horseback ride.
While you’re there, definitely visit KonTiki, the floating Tiki Bar! You can hail a speedboat ride from the shore and head out for some rum punch. The ride is free, but be sure to tip your driver.
For dinner, check out Stella Ristorante. I know, you’re probably thinking “Italian? In the Caribbean?” But trust me! This is an incredible rustic, open air-restaurant up on the hill overlooking Dickenson Bay. The wood fired pizza is incredible and all of the homemade pasta is delicious!
Day 2: Pigs and paradise
This super-fun experience takes place on the gorgeous, remote Seaforth beach. Many people choose to book a tour and arrive by boat, but I recommend driving to get here.
However you choose to travel, you’ll be greeted by a passionate, knowledgeable staff. They will give you a quick briefing on what you’re about to experience. Sip on a rum punch during the short intro and then hop in the water with the swimming swine! You’ll start swimming with the big pigs, before the babies come out! You’ll get a chance to hold and feed the adorable little ones!
Relax on the beach: Once the pig experience is over, stick around to enjoy this stunning stretch of white sand. We literally had the entire half-moon shaped bay all to ourselves. It was my favorite spot on the whole island.
Ffryes Beach: If you have a car, make your way to Ffryes Beach, which is a lively stretch of beach with lots of beach bars and a fun atmosphere. Grab a bite to eat at Dennis Restaurant. The snapper is delicious!
Day 3: East Coast adventures
Spend the day exploring all of the great things to do on the east coast of the island. Everything below is located very close together and makes for a perfect day of fun!
Stingrays at Stingray City: This was my favorite snorkeling experience ever! You can swim with the stingrays in the open ocean. You also get a chance to feed them and if you’re brave enough, hold one!
Sea View Restaurant: Stop here for some amazing BBQ chicken! Order from the counter next to the mini-mart and enjoy it from the upstairs deck overlooking the sea.
Devil’s Bridge: A great spot to witness the raw power of the Atlantic Ocean at this natural wonder.Just don’t get too close. The waves are relentless!
Betty’s Hope: Like many Caribbean Islands, Antigua has a complex history of colonialism..The old Sugar Mill provides a thorough history of the island’s past and how slavery shaped it.
Day 4: Hiking & harborside views
The Carpenter’s Rock Trailhead is located at the southern end of Galleon Beach and has some of the most amazing views in Antigua! It’s a relatively easy trail, but it is steep in parts and quite rocky. If you hike the entire trail, you’ll end up at Shirley Heights Lookout, which is one of the best ways to see the Harbour.
The Pillars of Hercules: At low tide, you can also walk to the Pillars of Hercules from Galleon Beach. For the best views, though, take a boat ride to see this incredible natural wonder.
To cap off the day, consider watching the sunset over the harbor from Galleon Beach, which is lined with trendy restaurants and bars. (Or just grab a bucket of Carib and sit in the sand, like we did!)
Day 5: Explore St. Johns
St. John’s is Antigua’s capital and holds much of the island’s history. This is where the cruise ships dock, so if you want to avoid the crowds, avoid the Quay area.
You can wander the streets and pop into some of the local stores and explore the markets. St. John’s Cathedral is also a beautiful stop while you’re in town. Stop into Roti King for some of the best roti on the island!
Need to know
Renting a car: This is the best way to make the most of everything the island has to offer! I only recommend this if you’re very comfortable driving on the left side of the road. Many of the streets are chaotic and confusing, and the roads in some areas are in very poor condition. Everywhere takes longer to reach than you might expect. Don’t trust the Google map times! That said, renting a car is the best way to see the island and you’ll have so much freedom to explore!
The beaches: All of the beaches in Antigua are open to the public. Don’t let the resorts try to deter you! You can rent chairs in most places.
Visiting Barbuda: Antigua’s sister island of Barbuda is a popular day trip, however we didn’t make it there on our visit. It’s a 90-minute ferry ride to get there and there are very few transportation options once you arrive. We decided to save it for our next trip when we have more time!
Eating out: The food in Antigua is incredible! Expect a lot of seafood, curry and roti. Plan at least an hour and a half for your meals. Everything runs on ‘island time’ here! Many restaurants also cater to cruise ships, so check before you sit down that a tour isn’t coming in.
Prices: Antigua is much more expensive than other Caribbean islands (although still less expensive than the US) Just be prepared that eating out in a nice restaurant can set you back around $100 for two people.
Travel Advisor
Sarah Brooks
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