8 Fun Antigua & Barbuda Adventures

By freem32@cogeco.ca Adventure, Caribbean, Caving, Cycling, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Nature, Old Forts, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Stingrays, Water Sports

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

Awesome Activities Include Snorkeling, Sailing, Caving & More…

Antigua and Barbuda are a Caribbean nation in the eastern Caribbean sea (Leeward Islands), just north of Guadeloupe and east of St. Kitts. Known as the sailing capital of the English Caribbean, Antigua is famous for it’s 365 white sand beaches and excellent cuisine. That said, there are plenty of adventures to make you feel alive, both on land as well as in & on the water!

While vacationing in the Caribbean, it’s always great fun to get off the resort and really explore the island. Antigua and Barbuda adventures are waiting…

Surrounded by protective reefs and outer islands, Antigua & Barbuda offers some really good Caribbean snorkeling, diving, sailing, fishing and water sports. It’s also good to know that there’s plenty of action on the islands themselves as well. Here’s our recommendations for experiencing Caribbean adventures in Antigua and Barbuda…

Snorkel Antigua’s Coral Reefs

Practically surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, Antigua is a great place for Caribbean snorkeling. Explore Antigua’s clear multi-hued blue waters full of diverse sea-life, including colourful fish, coral and sponges! Discover an alien world that you just can’t experience on land…

Slip into the warm Caribbean Sea and snorkel right off the beach on the island’s west side at places like Hawksbill Bay and Darkwood Beach. There are also some sheltered bays on the east coast that are good for beach-goers to snorkel from.

Antigua’s well known and perhaps best snorkeling site, Cades Reef is just a short boat ride from the south-west coast – This 2 mile (3km) long barrier reef has snorkeling locations like Coral Gardens, School House, Passage and Aquarium. There are also good snorkeling locations in the popular English Harbour area – Here you’ll enjoy snorkeling in the shadow of the Pillars of Hercules, or perhaps over a shipwreck in the protection of Freeman’s Bay. There’s also a 3 mast shipwreck in the shallow waters of Deep Bay near St. John’s. Good snorkeling can also be found via a short boat ride to a few of the off-shore islands near the north-east coast of Antigua.

Of course, no trip to Antigua is complete without visiting Stingray City. While you can snorkel there, the main attraction is having Southern Stingrays swim around your legs. If you’re brave enough, you can even hold one of the gentle creatures – kind of a once in a lifetime experience! Antigua’s Stingray City is located about a mile (2km) from the coast, yet the man-made dock floats just 3 to 4 feet (1m) above the sandy ocean floor. The large 5 feet (1.5m) wide females are very sociable as they swim slowly around, while the smaller males dart swiftly around and through the crowd.

For more information on Antigua’s snorkeling sites, plus a listing of tour/boat operators, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Snorkeling page

Want to see more? Check out our Snorkel Antigua’s Great Bird Island, and Snorkel Antigua’s Long Bay videos on YouTube!

For a more colourful and detailed story on Stingray City, check out our personal experience by reading our Stingray City Antigua blog post.

Sail Around Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua has a long and storied sailing history that dates back way before Horatio Nelson’s famed stay on the island. Today, Antigua’s annual ‘Sailing Week’ attracts dozens of yachts and hundreds of visitors from around the world to Nelson’s Dockyard for the Caribbean’s top Regatta.

For visitors to the Caribbean islands, an Antigua & Barbuda sailing adventure provides an opportunity to experience the islands from a unique perspective. Cruise quietly along the coasts of Antigua & Barbuda with a refreshing cool wind at your back and delightful sights just glide by… See the mountainous south-west of Antigua, as well as the island’s many forts, bays and off-shore islands, across a stretch of gorgeous multi-hued blue waters!

Sailing excursions also provide plenty of opportunities to snorkel and dive along the way. If you’re up to the challenge, you can even join a crew for some races in English Harbour! Of course, watching the sun set from sea with someone special also has it’s charms.

For more information about sailing in Antigua, including boat operators and yacht charters (with or without a crew), click on our Antigua & Barbuda Sailing page

Explore Amazing Caves in Barbuda

Escape the ever-present sun by journeying underground to a world of natural subterranean limestone caverns and sea caves. It can be a bewildering experience venturing into sub-terrain grottoes to witness eerie stalagmites, stalactites and flow-stones up-close and personal. There may be bats in the caves, or even petroglyph paintings on the walls to examine!

Two Foot Bay Cave is a short walk from Barbuda’s pink sand beaches and is home to bats, crabs, iguanas and birds. Ancient petroglyphs can be seen on the cave walls – Amazing!

Journey out from Burbuda’s main town of Codrington to see the astonishing Darby Cave, a massive sinkhole with it’s own forest and plenty of long stalactites. You’ll be in awe.

Hike a couple of miles (3km) farther out and you’ll encounter an amazingly bizarre grotto called Dark Cave. It’s filled with water and you’re sure to see bats and maybe even some of the resident blind shrimp.

For more information about Antigua and Barbuda caves, plus tours operators to get you there, check out our Antigua & Barbuda Caving page

Dive Antigua’s Coral Reefs

Antigua and its neighbouring islands boast over 40 dive sites, some in relatively shallow water and others in the deeper more complex underwater terrain south of Antigua. If you’ve always wanted to try scuba diving, Antigua is a great place to get started – there is a dive school on the island along with several Dive Centres offering PADI certification.

Antigua diving provides opportunities to view a diverse collection of coral, sponges, sea fans and other interesting marine life. The island’s reefs are also home to schools of colourful fish as well as eels, lobsters and crabs. Antigua’s south-west coast offers some good coral covered ledges and deep plunging walls to explore along with crystal-clear dive sites in and around the popular Cades Reef area. The English Harbour area has plenty of sunken boulders, rocks and wrecks providing more diverse and exciting places to examine.

For more information on the islands’ dive sites, along with a listing of dive centres and boat operators, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Diving page

Fish the Turquoise Waters of Antigua & Barbuda

Head out from Antigua for some serious Atlantic Ocean ‘deep sea’ fishing to bring in some big game sport fish like Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Kingfish and Sailfish. For the competitor fisherman in you, you can join the annual Antigua & Barbuda Sport Fishing Tournament.

Barbuda has some more great fishing options closer to shore. Fish in the shallows for good eating fish like Bass, Grouper and Snapper. If fly-fishing is more your thing, settle down near Barbuda’s Codrington Lagoon and bring in some Bone fish, Tarpon, Snook and Barracuda.

For more Antigua & Barbuda fishing information, including a list of boat operators to get you out there, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Fishing page

Hike Under the Sun in Antigua

A great way to experience the natural beauty of Antigua is by hiking one of it’s surprisingly enjoyable trails. The island offers some easy coastal sight-seeing walking trails as well as some more challenging hilly trails. The best thing is… Most Antigua hiking trails offer rewarding picturesque views of the island and Caribbean Sea from hill-tops or coastal vantage points.

There are several popular Antigua hiking trails located near Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, most of which lead to Shirley Heights, one of the best places in Antigua for taking pictures of iconic English Harbour. They include the Carpenters Rock Trail, which passes the remains of Fort Charlotte, as well as the steeper Lookout Trail.

Monks Hill Trail, with its spectacular view of Falmouth Harbour, as well as Middle Ground Trail which crosses the small peninsula between English and Falmouth Harbours ending at historic Fort Berkeley, are also in the area.

Not to be missed, there are a number of remote trails amid the rolling hills and volcanic features of the rain-forest area called the “Green Corridor” – This quiet area includes the Wallings Nature Reserve, Christian Valley, as well as the ultimate Antigua hiking trail, Mount Obama – The island’s highest peak at 1,330 feet (405m) above sea level.

For more detailed descriptions of our favourite Antigua Hiking Trails, click on our Antigua’s Best Hiking blog post.

For a more complete list of Antigua & Barbuda hiking trails, as well as a listing of hiking guides, check out our Antigua & Barbuda Hiking page

Get On the Waters of Antigua & Barbuda

With plenty of healthy mangroves and numerous beaches, bays and inlets along 100 miles (160km) of coastline, Antigua & Barbuda are ideal for enjoying Caribbean Water Sports. All in the comfortable warmth of the Caribbean sun!

There’s some great kayaking available in Antigua’s North Sound Marine Park and the mangrove forests of the nearby off-shore islands. There’s more mangroves to explore by kayak on the south-west coast of the island as well. Probing the island’s tranquil mangrove inlets and lagoons is the perfect speed for sightseeing wildlife and enjoying nature in shallow calm waters. A local guide can show you some native marine life, including sea-grasses, mysterious sea cucumbers, jellyfish and spectacular starfish.

If you have a need for more speed… Antigua’s east coast trade-winds are ideal for surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing. Same thing holds for Barbuda’s remote crowd-less beaches. You can partake in the action yourself, or just hang around and check out “the scene”.

For a more colourful story about our personal water sports experience, check out our Antigua kayaking-snorkelling-hiking blog

For more information on the islands’ water-sports options, including a list of tours, lessons and equipment rentals, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Water Sports page

Get to Know Antigua by Bike

Get some fresh air and exercise while getting to know Antigua better. Antigua cycling provides great views of the Caribbean Sea and on a clear day, even some neighbouring islands. Ride on Antigua’s scenic coastal roads or cross-country routes, some of which even include some nice hilly terrain. Take an excursion with a local cycling tour operator who knows the island well or even rent a bike and venture out on your own.

Popular regions to cycle on Antigua include areas near the capital St. John’s as well as less busy areas like Devil’s Bridge & Long Bay, Half Moon Bay, Falmouth Harbour, Rendezvous Bay, Darkwood Beach and Jolly Harbour. There’s also the hilly road to Shirley Heights as well as more challenging routes to Mount Obama, Fort George and McNish Mountain.

For more Antigua cycling information, including a list of cycling tours and bike rentals, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Cycling page

Have fun out there!

ACT Staff

Once you’ve had your fill of action and want to slow-it-down a bit, check out our recommended Things To Do in Antigua & Barbuda

For an overview of the “land of sun and sea”, take a look at our Antigua & Barbuda Vacations page

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Short & Steep – Muddy Hike on Dominica’s Morne Anglais Trail

By freem32@cogeco.ca Adventure, Caribbean, Hiking

Great Dominica Hiking includes the Morne Anglais Trail — Dominica’s Morne Anglais – It’s Peak hidden within the cloud

Dominica Hiking – We needed cleats for this one…

It was a beautiful sunny day in the Caribbean and we were excited to be Dominica hiking again. Our guide picked us up at the cruise terminal and after a short sightseeing drive through Roseau and along the coast, we arrived in the village of Giraudel.

Today’s quest was Morne Anglais, one of the tallest mountain peaks in Dominica. We started our hike at an abandoned water storage facility at the top of an extremely steep secondary road. It’s amazing that cars can climb this type of hill. Speaking off steep, the hike immediately started on a slope, on a narrow path along-side the water facility property line. We then crossed a clearing next to an agriculture site of some sort with a weird igloo-like structure being made of sand and cement – Looks like it will be used for crop storage. The trail eventually transitions into a nice natural path that pretty much just disappears into the rain-forested. Our guide explained that we would be hiking through elfin forest as well as rain-forest.

Without any level ground to walk on for the initial half-hour or so of the hike, we were already out of breath – We hadn’t even warmed up yet. Oh well, there’s no turning back now. Once we were in the forest, we encountered a few flatter areas and we started to find our Dominica hiking legs. This was good, for we would need them. Our guide told us that we had picked a good day to hike Morne Anglais, as there had been torrential rain for several days prior to our arrival, making the trail impossible to traverse. Hhmnnn…

Well… It turns out that the trail was really water-logged and hadn’t had time to sufficiently dry up after all that rain. We were about to find out that most of the trail, especially all of the somewhat level areas, was a muddy mess. In some places, the mud was 3-5 inches (12 cm) deep and consisted of that heavy/thick muck that you can’t seem to (easily) pull your foot out of. Oh, Joy! Seriously – Always one for new experiences, this trail / hike gave us that, as we walked the majority of the trail with what felt like mini cement blocks of mud on our feet.

Seriously – a couple of times we had to stop and wait for our guide to find his sandal in the mud and strap it back on again. The mud had literally sucked the sandal right off of his foot.

These muddy conditions really slowed our progress, as it was difficult to find traction while we ascended the mountain. We repeatedly had to use our hands, grabbing nearby tree branches or plants so that we could pull ourselves up and climb. Somewhat typical Dominica hiking, although this was pretty extreme!

I love ridge trails, and this was no exception. It was very steep, and there was nowhere to go but on the trail as the sides were almost cliff-like in sections. It gets the adrenaline pumping to know that stepping off the trail could mean tumbling hundreds of feet, although the thick dense forest growth would break your fall rather quickly 🙂

About halfway up the mountain, we came to a sign nailed to a tree, announcing our entry into the “National Parks”. I thought we were already in the Trois Pitons National Park, however we were just entering it. No-one knew this better than our guide, a Dominica Forest Ranger, as he was the one who nailed up the sign the week before.

All along the hike, our guide amazed us with his knowledge of the different plant and tree species. He could also identify over half a dozen different bird types and insects, just from hearing their whistling/buzzing sounds.

Although it was tough going on this extremely muddy trail, we were really enjoying ourselves. We did not encounter any other hikers on this trail, and our guide told us that it is only hiked a few times a month. We had to be careful – both taking shorter than usual steps in order to keep our balance. It would have been easy for a foot to slip out from under me, risking a groin pull etc…

A few places along the trail we took advantage of small openings, breaks in the dense tropical jungle to take some pictures. We had great views of the nearby towns, coastline, surrounding mountains, as well as the top of Morne Anglais itself (see photo below).

We could easily see Dominica’s capital Roseau with what appeared to be tiny cruise-ships in its port. Wow, we must be high! We also had excellent vantage points of the south-west portion of the island, including the towns of Castle Comfort and Bellevue.

As we climbed even higher, we had sensational views to the north and east, where we could see the other tall peaks on Dominica, specifically Watt Mountain, Morne Trois Piton, as well as Morne Diablotin in the cloud covered distance in the north. We also had a clear view of Freshwater Lake next to Morne Macaque. Just spectacular – The rewards of hiking a mountain are plentiful! Now, this is Dominica hiking…

According to my Trail Map App, our hike was a fairly constant steep incline all the way to the top, although the steepness did decrease slightly once we passed the half-way mark. Well, our “on the ground” hiking experience was that the trail consisted of a mixed bag of exciting short sections – Mostly steady steep areas, a few fairly flat areas, along with a few crazy near-vertical sections where we literally climbed with our hands (and feet) up cliff-like tree roots.

It’s the same trail down, however the descent posed a new challenge… How to go down the really steep sections, with all of this mud while staying in control – Well, OK without slipping and falling too often. Again we took it slow and easy, although there were a few times when I felt myself losing balance and bending uncomfortably backwards – It’s probably not too good for the back when your body bends backwards into the shape of the letter C. In some areas we resigned to the fact that the best way to stop from falling is to get on the ground and crawl down backwards on all fours like a crab. Going so slow allowed us to really observe our environment, and I noticed that small 2″ lizards were darting quickly across the trail in front of us. Although we were really muddy, and a little cut-up by some razor grass, we made it back in one piece. What an awesome experience!

ACT Staff

* Please note that this review was done prior to Hurricane Maria in 2017 – The trail conditions/characteristics may have changed as the island recovered *

For trail details and local hiking guides to get you on the mountain, as well as much more information on travelling to Dominica, please click on the following links (to pages on our website):

Hiking Dominica’s Morne Anglais

Dominica Hiking Trails

Dominica Vacations

For an overview of what the Caribbean has to offer intrepid travelers, check out our Active Caribbean Travel home page

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Under the Radar – The Best Hiking in the ABC’s

By freem32@cogeco.ca Adventure, Caribbean, Hiking

Bonaire Hiking – Hit the Dusty Trails

Bonaire is a small southern Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles, situated about 25 miles (80km) north of the Venezuelan coast, and 50 miles (80km) east of Curacao. The island, along with Aruba and Curacao, are special municipalities of the Netherlands. Safe from hurricanes, Bonaire has a truly amazing climate, consistently warm and dry for most of the year. Famous for it’s pink flamingos, renowned coral reefs and white mountains of salt, there’s plenty of Bonaire hiking trails to satisfy travelers seeking an active vacation.

Bonaire Hiking includes Washington-Slagbaai National Park and much more

Bonaire offers opportunities for some easy relaxing walks as well as a couple of intermediate – difficult hikes. Official trails on the island are all marked with pink stones on the ground!

Bonaire Hiking – Washington-Slagbaai National Park

Perhaps the best Bonaire hiking can be found in the Park at the north end of the island. This 14 thousand acre (56 sq km) sanctuary was the first in the Netherlands Antilles. The National Park has a varied and diverse terrain that includes flat sections as well as hilly regions. Brandaris, the highest peak on Bonaire at 784 feet (241m), is located within the Park. There are areas of low growing shrubs and trees, dry desert like areas, rocky sinkholes, rough limestone shorelines and some great sandy beaches. From the hill-tops you’ll get some amazing views of the island, as well as the crystal clear water of the Caribbean Sea… Plenty of birds, including parrots, flamingos and parakeets can be seen in the park, along with iguanas and many other species of reptiles.

There are three main hiking trails in the Park:

The Subi Branderis Trail – An intermediate level hike with some fairly steep sections. The trail is about 2.5 miles (4km) round trip, requiring an hour or two to complete, although you may not want to leave Bonaire’s highest peak – On a clear day you can see Venezuela!

The Kasikunda Trail – An easy / intermediate level hike with a fairly steep region. The trail is just over a mile (2km) round trip, taking an hour or two to complete. Once you’ve climbed the volcanic hill, you’ll be rewarded with great views of the island.

The Lizard (Lagadishi) Trail – An easy hike just over a mile (2km) round trip that you can enjoy for an hour or two. This is a diverse trail with great views, including flamingos!

While you’re there, check out the Park’s museum and enjoy some off-roading on one of the three main roads that meander through the park. There’s a number of interesting sites to see in Washington-Slagbaai National Park, including salt lakes, animal watering holes, a lighthouse, along with some great rocky coastal views and quiet beaches.

For more information, including hiking guides to show you around the Park, click on our Hiking Bonaire’s Washington-Slagbaai National Park page

Bonaire Hiking – Trails Elsewhere on the Island:

At the north end of the island, south of the National Park and just east of Rincon, you’ll find three more great Bonaire hiking trails:

Montana Trail – This easy 2 mile (3km) hike takes less than two hours to complete. You’ll climb a small hill that has great views of Goto Meer Lake and the Caribbean Sea.

Roi Sango Trail – This easy hike includes some sections of the trail in partial shade, covers about 1.5 miles (2.5km). A small hill provides surprisingly rewarding views of the surrounding area, including the sea and some interesting rock formations.

Dos Pos Trail – This easy 2.5 mile (4km) loop trail takes an hour or so to complete. The trail travels through a rural setting bordering Washington Slagbaai National Park, with views of Goto Meer Lake.

There’s also a couple more trails on the east side of island:

Bara di Karta Hill Trail – This short easy hike takes less than an hour to complete. The highlight of the hike is a small (200 feet / 60m) hill with spectacular 360 views of the island – Believe it or not!

Red Hill Trail – This easy 1.5 mile (2km) loop trail takes a couple of hours through desert-like terrain accompanied by soothing views of the Atlantic Ocean.

For more information, including hiking guides and tour operators who will get you on the trail, click on our Bonaire Hiking – Other Trails page

Have Fun (and wear a hat and bring plenty of water)!

ACT Staff

If you’re looking for other exciting activities to experience, take a look at our Bonaire Adventures blog

If you’re looking to explore the island at a more relaxing pace, check out our Bonaire Attractions blog

For an overview of the beautiful island of Bonaire, click on our Bonaire Vacations page

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The Adventures of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman

By freem32@cogeco.ca Adventure, Caribbean, Caving, Cycling, Hiking, Nature, Rock Climbing, Scuba Diving

Cayman Brac & Little Cayman are home to great Caribbean adventures, including the Caribbean's best Diving & Rock Climbing, plus great Caving, hiking & cycling.

Amazing Diving and Climbing / Caving, Hiking and Cycling too!

A British Territory in the Western Caribbean, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are peaks of the massive underwater Cayman Ridge. The Cayman Islands are located south of Cuba, between Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Jamaica. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are situated east and slightly north of Grand Cayman.

If you’re wondering how to get to these remote islands, don’t worry – There are daily island hopper flights from Grand Cayman that can get you over quickly and easily. Local Grand Cayman boat operators can also cover the 80 miles (130km) or so of ocean.

There’s plenty of outdoor adventures to experience in the Cayman Islands and that includes the rarely visited Cayman Brac, affectionately known as ‘the Brac’, as well as Little Cayman. Here’s our favourites that we would recommend…

Join an Exclusive Club of Scuba Divers

It’s not just a cliché, the Cayman Islands are truly a Diver’s Paradise! The islands are well known in diving circles for pristine sea water with amazing visibility, as well healthy coral reefs alive with marine life. When it comes to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, their remoteness translates into relatively few visitors and almost guarantees uncrowded diving at relatively untouched dive sites!

There are over 60 Cayman Brac dive sites that offer an incredible oasis for divers! There’s easy to access shore diving, shallow reefs brimming with marine life, as well as deep walls and amazing swim-throughs that never get old. There’s also plenty of shipwrecks to explore, including the 330 foot Tibbets (Russian built Navy Ship) with some of it’s guns still in place.

Little Cayman has 60 dive sites of its own, including the world-famous Bloody Bay wall… A steep wall that descends several thousand feet that is home to colourful corals, sponges and sea fans. There’s plenty of rays, barracudas, sharks and large fish to see as well – Little Cayman diving is truly a fantastic experience for experienced and beginner divers alike!

For more information on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman dive sites, as well as a listing of boat operators to get you outfitted, click on our Cayman Islands Diving page

Cave and Climb the Bluffs of Cayman Brac

The Brac is well known for it’s amazing caves! There are a number of accessible and impressive caves on the island to explore including Bat Cave, Peter’s Cave, Rebecca’s Cave, Skull Cave, Great Cave and Halfway Ground Cave.

Prefer to stay on the outside of Cayman Brac’s rocky cliffs, then maybe rock climbing is more your speed. The cliffs at the eastern end of the island seem to be made for Cayman Island rock climbing. There are dozens of routes for expert climbers to explore. With names like Dixon Wall, Neptune’s Lair, North Wall, Love Shack Wall and Tsunami Wall, its a must do for avid rock climbers!

For more information on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman caves and rock climbing, including tour guides to show you “the ropes”, check out our Cayman Islands Caving & Climbing page

Hike Pristine Caribbean Wilderness

It may be hard to believe, but there are more than a dozen short trails on Cayman Brac. While they’re all relatively easy, some of the more challenging ones include the following:

The 4 mile (6km) long Lighthouse Footpath (AKA The Bluff Trail) pretty much follows the rugged north-east coastline to the lighthouse on the east end of the island. More of a tower than a lighthouse, it stands on the 140 foot (43m) high bluff that is the highest point of the Caymans – Take in the amazing views of the sea towards Cuba.

The mile (2km) long National Trust Parrot Reserve Nature Trail is a short hike that provides the opportunity to potentially see a rare Cayman Brac Parrot. The loop trail goes through a small section of the protected reserve land covering grassed-over farmland, thickets as well as forests where you’ll pass mango trees, cactus and orchids.

The best Little Cayman hiking trails include the Salt Rock Nature Trail which is a 3 mile (5km) round trip requiring a couple of hours to complete. There’s also a good hike between Blossom Village and the north coast where you’ll likely encounter plenty of birds, butterflies, iguanas and orchids.

For more information on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman hiking trails, including guides to help you out, click on our Cayman Islands Hiking page

Cycle Around the Islands, Literally

Cayman Brac’s quiet coastal roads offer amazing sea views and the opportunity to get some really fresh air and exercise! The island’s north and south coastal roads are each approximately 9.5 miles (15 km) long… Plenty of road for you to work up a good sweat.

Little Cayman has a quiet around-the-island road resulting in a nearly 10 mile (16 km) long circuit with few vehicles and un-ending views of the Caribbean Sea! Not sure if it gets any better than that…

For more information on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman cycling, including bike rental locations, check out our Cayman Islands Cycling page

Have fun out there!

ACT Staff

Once you’ve had your fill of action and want to slow-it-down a bit, check out our recommended Things To Do in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman blog

For an overview of the beautiful and diverse islands that make up the Caymans, click on our Cayman Islands Vacations page

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Antigua & Barbuda’s Top Attractions & Things to Do

By freem32@cogeco.ca Caribbean, Golf, Nature, Old Forts, Tourist Attractions

Things to do in Antigua & Barbuda include historical sites like Nelson's Dockyard and Forts as well as Stingray City. Also enjoy Golf, Sailing, Boating & Nature!

Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Stingray City & So Much More!

Antigua & Barbuda are a beautiful Caribbean nation in the Leeward Islands just north of Guadeloupe and east of St. Kitts & Nevis. Antigua is famous for it’s 365 white sand beaches, excellent cuisine and rich sailing history. When visiting the Caribbean, it’s always fun to get off the resort and explore what the island really has to offer. In Antigua, that means taking-in great tropical views from historic sites and enjoying nature from both land and sea. Of course, there’s also time to fit in a round of golf as well as a visit to Stingray City. For your next vacation to Antigua and Barbuda, may we suggest you…

Visit Antigua’s Best Attractions (on land)

Nelson’s Dockyard is probably Antigua’s most popular historical site and a must-see for the history buff. Reminiscent of its 18th-century origins, the humble English Harbour outpost includes a marina, hotel, shops and restaurants. Being around all the ships and history of the area should give you a nice relaxing vibe.

Shirley Heights provides spectacular views of English Harbour, Falmouth Harbour and the Caribbean Sea! Once the site of a military lookout and gun battery, this location is now home to the where you can take the most iconic pictures of Antigua.

Devil’s Bridge is an interesting limestone rock formation on the coast of Antigua. Relentless sea waves crashing against small rocky cliffs has over time created a natural bridge, where sections of the under-pinning rock have eroded away. See the blowholes in action at high tide.

Betty’s Hope is a historical site on the grounds of a 17th-century sugar plantation. The main feature is the remains of a couple of wind-powered stone mills. One can imagine life back in the day…

St. John’s Cathedral is an impressive church, both inside and out. The large stone & brick structure seen today has replaced the wood building originally constructed in the 17th century. Just down the street in the town’s oldest building is the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda, with exhibits that outline the history of the islands.

Guarding the mouth of the large bay at St. John’s stands the remains of a pair of military outposts. Fort James on the northern side of the bay is located next to a long beach and still has stone walls and some cannons. Fort Barrington on the southern coastline is located on a small hilltop with great views of St. John’s and the surrounding bays and beaches. Simply gorgeous!

A couple of other Antigua attractions to consider stopping at includes: Cades Bay Agricultural Station, the home of Antigua’s famous ‘Black Pineapple’; and the Humane Society’s Donkey Sanctuary, always fun for kids of all ages.

For more information on Antigua’s attractions along with a list of tour operators who will show you around, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Land Excursions page

Swim with the Stingrays

Meanwhile, in the water, Stingray City is a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience where you can swim and snorkel with southern stingrays in their natural environment. It’s an exhilarating feeling standing in waist-deep water with the large otherworldly fish swimming around your legs. Of course, you won’t forget what it’s like to hold one of the gentle creatures – Their soft, fur-like wings in your hands!

For a more colourful review of visiting the island’s stingrays, check out our personal Stingray City Antigua Experience blog

Check out Antigua from Sea

The multi-hued blue waters around Antigua is absolutely breathtaking and being on the sea provides a unique perspective of the island. Appreciate the mainland’s jagged shoreline with its inlets, points and white beaches as well as mangrove forests and multiple off-shore islands. It’s also the best way to see Antigua’s famous coral and limestone rock formations known as the Pillars of Hercules as well as the coral archway known as Hell’s Gate, up close and personal. While most of the island is flat limestone, Antigua’s hilly south-west with its volcanic features will really stand out when viewing from the sea.

For a relaxing and enjoyable cruise around Antigua and Barbuda, there are plenty of sailboats available to show you around. To really engage and feel the energy of the sailing scene, time your visit to coincide with the annual ‘Antigua Sailing Week’ which attracts dozens of yachts and hundreds of visitors from around the world to Nelson’s Dockyard for the Caribbean’s top Regatta.

If motoring around the islands in a fast boat is more your thing, there are several motorboat / tour operators that can fill your need for speed. Don’t worry, they’ll slow down for you to enjoy all the attractions…

When sight-seeing from either a sailboat or motorboat, there’ll be opportunities for snorkeling or swimming over a reef / perhaps even a stop at an uninhabited offshore island for a stroll. Of course, watching the sun set from the sea with that someone special is also a unique and wonderful experience.

For more information on Antigua’s ocean excursions along with a list of boat / tour operators who will get you on the water, click on our Antigua Sailing and Antigua Boating pages

Golf in a Tropical Setting

There are a couple of gorgeous Antigua golf courses to choose from. The Cedar Valley Golf Club is conveniently located near the capital, St. John’s. This 18-hole / par 70 golf course that plays to 6,157 yards is set within tropical trees and has great views of the ocean. Set on the quieter west side of Antigua in a slightly hilly parkland is the Jolly Harbour Golf Club, an 18-hole / par 71 championship golf course plays to 5,587 yards.

For more information on Antigua’s golf courses, click on our Antigua Golf page

Enjoy Nature in Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua is home to four National Parks that were established to preserve the island’s cultural and environmental heritage.

Green Castle Hill National Park and it’s ‘megalith’ rock formations are only accessible on foot
Devil’s Bridge (Formerly Indian Town Point) National Park is a limestone rock formation featuring blowholes at high tide
Fort Barrington National Park features the remains of a 17th-century hilltop garrison
Nelson’s Dockyard National Park encompasses the Dockyard area as well as Shirley Heights, Fort Berkeley, Fort George and a number of hiking trails.

Outside of the parks, there are a few locations known to be great for bird watching. They include Antigua’s off-shore islands, specifically Great Bird Island and Long Island as well as Barbuda’s bird sanctuary, which is home to the largest Frigate Bird colony in the Caribbean.

For more information on Antigua’s natural attractions along with a list of tour operators who will show you around, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Land Excursions and Antigua Hiking pages

Join the Festivities

Antigua’s annual Carnival, billed as “the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival”, includes costumed parades and music including steel-bands and calypso. Of course there’s always plenty of food fairs and partying throughout the festival…

The annual Antigua & Barbuda International Kite Festival is held at Devil’s Bridge National Park. Watch hundreds of kites flying and dancing in the wind along Antigua’s rocky east coast.

For a full listing of Antigua’s Carnival, Festivals and Events, check out our Antigua & Barbuda Events Calendar page

Want to see more? Check out our Memories of Antigua video on YouTube!

For a more complete review of Antigua & Barbuda Attractions and things-to-do, along with a list of local Tour Operators who can help you get the most out of your day, check out our Things To Do in Antigua page.

If you’re looking for something more active that will raise your pulse rate a bit higher, check out our recommended Antigua & Barbuda Adventures blog

For an overview of the beautiful and diverse islands, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Vacations page

Tag: Caribbean

8 Fun Antigua & Barbuda Adventures

Awesome Activities Include Snorkeling, Sailing, Caving & More…

Snorkel Antigua’s Coral Reefs

Sail Around Antigua & Barbuda

Explore Amazing Caves in Barbuda

Dive Antigua’s Coral Reefs

Fish the Turquoise Waters of Antigua & Barbuda

Hike Under the Sun in Antigua

Get On the Waters of Antigua & Barbuda

Get to Know Antigua by Bike

Short & Steep – Muddy Hike on Dominica’s Morne Anglais Trail

Dominica Hiking – We needed cleats for this one…

Under the Radar – The Best Hiking in the ABC’s

Bonaire Hiking – Hit the Dusty Trails

Bonaire Hiking – Washington-Slagbaai National Park

Bonaire Hiking – Trails Elsewhere on the Island:

The Adventures of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman

Amazing Diving and Climbing / Caving, Hiking and Cycling too!

Join an Exclusive Club of Scuba Divers

Cave and Climb the Bluffs of Cayman Brac

Hike Pristine Caribbean Wilderness

Cycle Around the Islands, Literally

Antigua & Barbuda’s Top Attractions & Things to Do

Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Stingray City & So Much More!

Visit Antigua’s Best Attractions (on land)

Swim with the Stingrays

Check out Antigua from Sea

Golf in a Tropical Setting

Enjoy Nature in Antigua & Barbuda

Join the Festivities

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