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There
are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each
day of the year. The great majority rest
inside the calm, protected waters of the
island's Caribbean side. All are open
to the public, and so the challenge posed
to a visitor is not how to gain access
to the best of them but simply how to
locate the beach that suits one's taste.
Exploring on your own is the best way
to do this, although it is wise to bring
a companion along to particularly isolated
locations. Antiguans are understandably
reluctant to divulge their own favorites,
so here are a number of good starters.
Be sure to acquire specific directions
before you go.
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Northwest
Coast:
Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, located along
the island's developed northwestern coast, are
the place to go for those who want the fully-loaded
resort beach experience. The beaches most convenient
to St. John's are Fort James, a locally-popular
public beach, and Deep Bay. Galley Bay attracts
surfers during the winter months and joggers
during the evening. The series of four crescent
beaches at Hawksbill are also highly regarded,
one of which is nudist.
Southwest
and South Coast:
The beaches of the hilly southwest corner of
Antigua are generally less developed than those
around St. John's further north. On the road
that winds along this coast are Fryes Bay, Darkwood
Beach, and the beaches around Johnsons Point.
Rendezvous Bay and especially Doigs Beach, both
located on the central southern coast at Rendezvous
Bay, are especially quiet beaches worth the
rough travel necessary to reach them. Pigeon
Point, near English Harbour Town, is a convenient
balm after a day at Nelson's Dockyard.
East
Coast:
On the southeast corner of the island
is Half Moon Bay, now a National Park
and a good choice for a family outing.
Long Bay, on the easternmost point of
the island, is another good choice for
families, as it is completely protected
by its reef.
On
Barbuda:
Barbuda's smooth coastline is edged with
long pink and white sand beaches protected
by barrier reefs. In fact, the pristine
pink beaches of the southwestern shore
stretch as far as ten miles without interruption.
The beaches of the island's eastern shore,
facing the Atlantic, are somewhat rougher,
although they are outstanding for beachcombing.
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Links
& Sources:
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