A Honeymoon in Antigua & Barbuda--from The World's Greatest Honeymoons

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Sailboats - View from Shirley Heights

With exactly 365 white- and pink-sand beaches, you can take a year-long honeymoon on Antigua, going to the beach every single day, and never hit the same stretch of sand twice. And the most amazing thing? Almost every one of those beaches is stunning, something straight out of a tropical paradise fantasy.

But there's a lot more to love about Antigua and her sister island, Barbuda, than their beautiful expanses of sugary sands. Yachting enthusiasts come from around the world to cruise these tranquil coves and bays, particularly in late April/early May, when Antigua Sailing Week attracts yachties and landlubbers from around the globe. If fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, or windsurfing are your passions, you'll have nearly unlimited opportunity to indulge your bliss in the crystalline waters surrounding the two islands, which together form a nation officially known as Antigua & Barbuda. And then there are the lively harbor towns, a forested interior, great golf courses, fabulous food, cricket matches, rich heritage sites, and all sorts of recreational alternatives.

Also See: Caribbean Index | Aruba | Bahamas | Barbados | Bermuda | Caymans | Curaçao | Grenada | Jamaica | Martinique | Puerto Rico | St. Croix | St. John | St. Lucia | St. Thomas | Turks & Caicos | Virgin Gorda/BVI

Antigua Honeymoon Ideas

»»Barbuda Honeymoon Ideas

St. John's: Small, brightly-colored, distinctly Caribbean-style buildings abound in St. John's, the nation's capital and largest city—but the skyline is dominated by the twin towers of Baroque-looking St. John's Cathedral, built in 1845. Nearby is the interesting Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. Located in a former 1747 Court House, it features Arawak and colonial artifacts that help to illustrate the islands' history. ~ From here it's a short walk through the ancient, narrow streets to the waterfront, where you'll find Heritage Quay; the best spot for duty-free deals, it offers products ranging from jewelry, crystal, and watches to t-shirts and mugs. But you might prefer lively Redcliffe Quay, where restored warehouses now hold boutiques and restaurants, and charming shops tending toward handicrafts. Beware: both Heritage and Redcliffe Quays get crowded when cruise ships are docked.

English Harbour/Nelson's Dockyard: Antigua's history is intertwined with sailing—for centuries, the main port, English Harbour, was the Leeward Islands base for the British Royal Navy. It was also home for a while to famed Admiral Horatio Nelson, who at the time was merely a Captain. The naval yard began construction around 1725, and for more than a century played a major role in increasing Britain's wealth from the New World. However, by 1889 the Yard no longer served a purpose and was abandoned. After extensive restoration in the mid-20th century, the area became known as Nelson's Dockyard. It's now one of the world's finest examples of a Georgian naval port (and the only one still in use). Tour guides in period dress show the place off with great style. Most of the wonderful old buildings are seeing new life as offices, galleries, restaurants, and museums. Learn all about it at the Dockyard Museum; housed in the 1855 Naval Store Keeper's residence, it's rich with information about Antigua's early naval history, Horatio Nelson (a few of his telescopes, maps, and other possessions are on display), and much more.

Beachin' It: Crescent-shaped Half Moon Bay, a tranquil stretch of pink sand near Freetown, is considered by many to be one of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches. ~ With a mile-long strip of white sand, Jabberwock Beach is a sight to behold. It's also a good place to swim, stretch out, or snorkel. ~ For something livelier, try Dickenson Bay, lined with beachfront cafes and beach bars. Something's always going on at this boater's and water-sportster's hangout. Another action spot particularly popular with tourists is Runaway Bay. ~ Prefer to get away from it all? The southern part of the island is the best bet—check out Carlisle Beach and Crab Hill Beach, good places to walk, picnic, swim, and sun. Or try the west coast's Fryes Beach, with its ultra-soft white sand and—on exceptionally clear days—views of Montserrat. And if none of those beaches appeal, 358 more are waiting for your try-out!

Shirley Heights: This is the place to go for a sensational, all-encompassing photograph of Galleon Beach, Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Fort Berkeley, and beyond. From up here you can sometimes see clear to Montserrat and Guadeloupe, and at sunset the view will simply knock your socks off. A restored military garrison on the hills east of the Harbour, Shirley Heights was once the holding area for military units headed out to the Colonies. It's dotted with old gun emplacements and well-preserved military structures. Although you can drive here, you might enjoy hiking up from English Harbour on the partially forested Lookout Trail. Or park at 18th century Clarence House, built for the Duke of Clarence—later, as King William IV, he was known as the "Sailor King"—when he served in Antigua under Nelson. A steep trail ascends from there up to Shirley Heights.

Cricket: The nation's major sport, Cricket—a legacy of British colonization—is incredibly popular; in fact, some of the world's most famous players hail from these islands. The official Cricket season runs from January into July, so if you're honeymooning here at that time, take in a match. Since cricket is played everywhere—at the beach, on village greens, in the new stadium—you won't have much trouble finding a game. You don't have to know anything about it to appreciate the experience, either, not when the audience shows as much energy as the players, often dancing calypso and singing big-time on the sidelines. An afternoon spent at one of these games is a great way to go beyond the typical tourist experience and get at least a tiny bit acquainted with the islands' underlying culture.

Fig Tree Drive: Explore Antigua with a drive along this incredibly scenic road. It leads from the lowlands, up along an ancient volcanic mountain, and into the island's lush, rain forest interior. You won't see any figs you recognize here, by the way—"fig" being the local word for banana—but you'll be surrounded by plenty of banana, pineapple, coconut, and mango trees, bright-colored flowers, and glimpses of wildlife. You'll pass old sugar mills, tiny churches, and roadside stands selling local fruit, homemade hot sauces, jams, and other goodies. Once you get to the island's highest point, Boggy Peak (1320 feet), you'll be rewarded with a panoramic view that seems to stretch on endlessly.

Betty's Hope: Founded in 1650, Betty's Hope was Antigua's first sugar plantation. It soon fell into the hands of the Codrington family, who turned it into one of the largest and most successful sugar estates on the island. Today Betty's Hope lies in ruin, but they're picturesque and very interesting ruins. The 1737 windmill shown here—you can just see it's "twin" mill peeking out from behind—crushed about 2 acres of sugar cane per day; the juiced stalks were then used as fuel in the boiling furnaces. The Great House is gone, but other structures have survived, including the Still House (where rum was made) and part of the cistern system. The complex has been transformed into an eco-tourism site with a visitor's center and a small museum housed in a former cotton storeroom. A trail system runs through the estate, with exhibits and signage explaining the ruins and local plants. ~ While you're in the neighborhood, check out nearby Devil's Bridge, a natural limestone arch formed by the pounding Atlantic surf. Thanks to a reef that acts as a breakwater, the waters surrounding the arch are a popular local swimming spot.

Barbuda Honeymoon Ideas

Although it's a mere 26 miles north of Antigua, largely-undeveloped Barbuda seems a world away. Don't come here if you're after nightlife and manufactured excitement. The beauty of this island lies in its simplicity and tranquility. It's a place for people who embrace the joy of slowing down and creating their own excitement.

The Barbuda Express ferry runs 5 days a week between Antigua and Barbuda—an easy, 90-minute trip. Flights are quicker (20 minutes), to be sure, but the boat ride is a great experience.

A Typical Barbuda Beach

Beachin' It: Beaches on the Atlantic side of the island are great for beachcombing, collecting driftwood and shells washed up to shore, and pondering the pounding waves. On the Caribbean side you'll spend the day basking on truly superb pink- and white-sand beaches and swimming or snorkeling in see-through waters. With the exception of resort beaches, you'll often be totally alone, on beaches that go on for miles and miles. Most are completely undeveloped, so be sure to always bring plenty of water and food. An umbrella's a good idea, too, since you can't always count on trees for shade. We could name a few beaches to check out, but the great fun on an island like this, one that's amazingly undeveloped, lies in exploring.

Frigate Bird Sanctuary: One of the best experiences on Barbuda is to tour, via kayak or piloted boat, the northwest lagoon's Frigate Bird Sanctuary. These large seabirds attain a body weight of approximately 3 pounds and a wingspan of up to 8 feet; unable to walk or swim, they are either aloft for days at a time or roosting. Fierce competitors, they're sometimes called Pirate or Man-of-War birds for their tendency to steal food from other seabirds (they don't get along all that easily with each other, either). Males have a distinctive red pouch that inflates during the breeding season to attract a mate. Other bird species in the Sanctuary include the Barbuda Warbler (found nowhere else in the world), the endangered Whistling Duck, and the Tropic Bird.

Codrington Village/Martello Tower: The island's only town, Codrington, is a simple place, but nonetheless contains historic buildings like Government House (1694), where you'll see the stone block that riders once used to mount a horse; or the Ginnery, which stored salt and cotton from the earliest days of slavery until the mid-1900s. Many other original buildings and old stone walls exist; some have been incorporated into newer structures. ~ When you see a BBQ expert in action on the street—common during weekend fish frys and food fairs—give the local specialties a try. Common are deer, land turtle, conch, crab, lobster; and drinks include soursop, ginger beer, and tamarind juice. ~ A few stores sell gift items, t-shirts, and one specializes in local handicrafts. In the Artcafe, artist Claire Frank sells her hand-painted silk pictures and postcards. ~ A few miles from Codrington is Martello Tower, a classic example of the small defensive forts built during the early 1800s by the British Empire.

More Info: Antigua & Barbuda Department of Tourism

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All written material ©WGH ~ Photos: Thanks to the Antigua & Barbuda Department of Tourism for all photos except the frigatebird; Aquaimages (frigatebird)