Best Beaches in Antigua & Barbuda

Mile after mile of sand stretches from Spanish Point to Palmetto Point, forming the longest and most likely loveliest beach in the Caribbean. This isn’t any old sand… it’s bright white sand striped with powdered pink conch shells which gives the shore a rosy tint when the water (coloured the most dazzling turquoise) washes over it. Bright green dunes, driftwood, corals and shells complete the postcard perfection. Look out for the tracks of baby turtles who’ve scuttled into the waters, gallop along on horseback, snorkel among tiny tropical fish or stare through binoculars – just to confirm there really is no one else for miles around.

Great for: beach walks, quiet beach, scenery

Up on the northwest coast near St John’s, Dickenson’s is the most popular and developed stretch of Antiguan coastline with lots of hotels, restaurants, shops and activity centres. Champagne-coloured sand and calm, shallow, gin-clear waters make up this famously pretty beach. Don’t miss the infamous red phone box outside the Siboney Beach Club, and by hook or by crook, don’t miss the sunsets. Dickenson Bay is where you’ll find Sandals Grande Antigua.

Great for: activities, food & drink, sunsets

Between Darkwood Beach and Jolly Harbour Beach, Ffryes is sometimes seen as two beaches: Big Ffryes and Little Ffryes. This is one of our favourites for a dip – still and clear like a vast, natural swimming pool (sans smelly chlorine) – while beachcombers can look out for tiny shells on the shore. On a clear day, you can see Montserrat island in the distance. And the cherry on this icing-sugar soft cake? It tends to be a lot quieter than the other beaches on the west coast.

Great for: swimming, beachcombing, scenery

Proof that the best beaches aren’t all on the west and south coasts, Long Bay makes the east coast totally worth exploring. This area is amazing for snorkelling, thanks to very calm, reef protected waters – so blue they’re almost luminous. The sand is soft like talcum powder and small beachfront restaurants serve island snacks and refreshments.

Great for: snorkelling, scenery, food & drink

Named for one of the island’s greatest visitors of all time (you might also hear it called Coco point after a nearby resort), this one’s a beautiful beach near the airfield on the south coast of the island. If you thought Low Bay was quiet, you should come here to experience the secludedness of the wide stretch of whiter than white sand and barely-there waves.

Great for: quiet beach, scenery, snorkelling

Near Jolly Harbour’s marina and shops, this one’s a frisbee throw from restaurants, bars and activities and home to the Jolly Beach resort (the public access is just behind the entrance to the resort). Many come here and don’t budge for the whole week and it’s easy to see why, with amazingly white sand and sea that’s shallow, clear and bath-like warm. Nearby is Cocos Hotel.

Great for: pretty beach, families, activities

Besides being one of the island’s beauty spots, this place has history too – overlooked by the old ruins of Fort James. Plus it’s convenient, near the centre of the capital as well as the cruise terminal. Join locals in a game of beach cricket on the soft, white sand, splash about in crazily calm, clear water or snooze in the shade of a palm tree.

Great for: easy access, nearby attractions, swimming

This may be called Darkwood, but it’s actually bursting with bright colour: fluorescent-blue sea stretching out forever, a horseshoe of emerald hills behind you, sunsets that turn the world orange and a long stretch of white powdery sand to enjoy it all from. Once your eyes have adjusted to this dazzling piece of coastline, see if you can spot the isle of Montserrat in the distance.

Great for: activities, families, sun sets

Near Five Islands Village on the west coast, Mother Nature’s mixed some gorgeous features on Galley Bay. Firstly, super clear water, that whips up a gentle surf on one end for surfers and is calmer than calm on the other end for swimmers. Then, pale, soft sand where sea turtles make their nests and you can see hatchlings scuttling into the water if you’re lucky (and very quiet). And lastly those palm trees, sea grapes and shrubs all gloriously green. The Galley Bay Resort & Spa is here, with snorkels, paddleboards and kayaks to help guests fully enjoy the sea.

Great for: bodyboarding, swimming, turtle nesting site

This beach is home to the famous Andes wreck, and if you come here at low tide you can just about see the mast poking out of the water. So bring your snorkel or join a scuba tour to explore it more closely. Lush hills slope down to the beach, which is a curve shape of pale sand with water so clear and still as can be. You can walk here from the capital, and Fort Barrington is about a ten-minute amble away if you fancy soaking up some island history.

Great for: scuba diving, snorkelling, near capital