Sights of Antigua and Barbuda: personal experience. Excursions Antigua and Barbuda
October 2007 Nina Lebedeva
A variety of excursions and sports entertainment are the main types of tourist activity. Snorkeling and diving, day cruises along the coast of Antigua, swimming with dolphins, unforgettable trips to the island of Barbuda, tropical safaris, fishing, viewing the island from a helicopter, water sports - surfing and yachts, deep sea fishing, cricket, golf, tennis, boating motor boats, scooters, kayaks, jeep tours, nature excursions, walks.
Attractions:
- The capital is St. John's (local architecture, museum, cathedrals, promenade, souvenirs).
- English Harbor is the most famous bay in Antigua, a historical area, a former British naval base headed by Admiral Nelson. Nelson's Dockyard, a military port completely restored, was named after him. Here - Admiral Nelson's Dockyard Museum - presents the history of English Harbor, as well as navigation - exhibits and ship models.
Excursions:
- Exciting fishing in the waters of the Atlantic, exploring natural attractions - flora/fauna.
- Jeep safari deep into the island, visiting villages, getting to know the life of local residents.
- Kayak excursion in the east of Antigua. Ecological tour, familiarization with tropical nature islands.
- A trip to the coral island of Barbuda, which is little developed and where pristine nature has been preserved. Quiet secluded holiday, many beaches. Habitat of some rare species of exotic birds, turtles, lizards, abundance of fish, coral reefs.
- Excursions to Marine Parks. Magnificent views for photography.
- Day cruises among the small islands of Antigua, snorkeling, boat picnics and seafood lunches.
Antigua
Columbus named the Antigua de Santa Maria church in Seville after the church. A beautiful island with a picturesque coastline, many bays and rich vegetation, for a long time became an arena for the struggle of European colonists with aggressive Indian tribes and the forces of nature. Only in the middle of the 17th century did life begin to improve for the settlers, and today the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are one of the largest resort areas in the West Indies. Antigua is home to a huge number of modern hotels, nightclubs, casinos, centers aquatic species sports and entertainment complexes.
Barbuda
It lies 42 km north of Antigua. This quiet, pastoral and rustic island, home to just 2% of the country's population, is very rarely visited by tourists - mainly birdwatchers and yachtsmen come here. But nevertheless, this small piece of land in the vast expanse of the sea is considered one of the most colorful islands on the planet, and its eight-kilometer Long Beach is also one of the most beautiful shores peace. The island's more village-like capital, Codrington was named after the Gloucestershire family that once leased Barbuda to the British Crown for "one fat pig a year." Barbuda, composed almost entirely of limestone rocks, abounds in caves.
Redonda
The tiny and virtually uninhabited volcanic rock known as Redonda lies 56 km southwest of Barbuda. The island is practically not visited by tourists, only yachtsmen are frequent guests of these waters. Currently located in Redonda natural Park.
Reefs
Both Antigua and Barbuda are almost completely surrounded by coral reefs, numerous underwater banks and rocks, and therefore abound in shipwrecks. The southern and eastern coasts of Antigua, and indeed the entire coast of Barbuda, are surrounded by shelf shoals that provide excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling. Most of Antigua's coastline, with its white sand and gentle slope, is protected from the sea by coral reefs, and all are free (at least officially). Main places beach holiday- Dickenson Bay and Runway Bay on east coast, Deep Bay and Hawksbill west of St. John's, as well as Darkwood Beach south of Jolly Harbour. On the east coast, Half Moon Bay is considered the main seaside holiday destination, while in English Harbor there are Galleon Beach and isolated Page Beach. Outlying beaches, including the northern end of Dickenson Bay and Hawksbill Beach, are designated as nudist beaches.
Good snorkeling and diving conditions can be found around Sunken Rock and Cape Shirley, as well as off the south coast of Antigua. Moreover, many dive areas are located very close to the shore, rarely more than a fifteen-minute boat ride. And the underwater world of the islands is truly magnificent - there are numerous colorful reef inhabitants, including parrot fish, angelfish, wrasse and barracuda, practically safe nurse sharks and you can even meet, if you're lucky, dolphins and sea turtles. The reefs are largely pristine, and although the depths are shallow, there are some good sea canyons and shipwrecks.
Antigua's sheltered west coast is great for beginner surfers, while the windswept east coast boasts consistent winds and is great for experienced surfers. Another common type of recreation is sport fishing in the ocean, the main objects of which are marlin, tuna and king mackerel "wahoo".
Island group Wadadli was discovered by Columbus in 1493, during his second expedition to the shores of the New World.
Sights of the islands of Antigua and Barbuda
Sights of Antigua
Columbus named Antigua island in honor of the Church of Antigua de Santa Maria in . A beautiful island with a picturesque coastline, many bays and rich vegetation, for a long time became an arena for the struggle of European colonists with aggressive Indian tribes and the forces of nature. Only in the middle of the 17th century did life begin to improve for the settlers, and today the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are one of the largest resort areas in the West Indies. Antigua is home to a huge number of modern hotels, nightclubs, casinos, water sports centers and entertainment complexes.
The capital of Antigua, its commercial center and major tourist area countries, St. John's is a rather unusual capital. Only 30 thousand people live here, but this is almost half of the country's population. It is a major tourist center of the island but, nevertheless, much of the city remains an example of old Caribbean architecture and way of life. All tourist activity in the capital is limited to the promenade around the harbour, Heritage Quay and the pastoral Redcliffe Quay area, where most of the shops, restaurants and galleries are concentrated, as well as colorful stone buildings and wooden huts, clearly aimed at tourists. Some of them are beautifully restored, others are in a dilapidated state, but together they create the flavor of St. John's, which has become the basis of its popularity among tourists.
Literally a few hours will be enough to explore the city and its attractions, since all the main attractions of the city are located close to each other. It is definitely worth visiting the neo-baroque St. John's Cathedral (1845; the first building on this site dates back to 1683). The cathedral's two slightly awkward towers are business card islands and are one of the rare examples of mixed timber and stone architecture. In the southern part of the cathedral you can find a small cemetery with old, moss-covered tombstones, many of which date back to the 17th century. Also noteworthy is the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, housed in the colonial Court House (1747) at the intersection of Long and Market Streets, west of the cathedral. The museum has a good collection of exhibits on the history and culture of Indian tribes and the colonial period. Long Street itself, where Carnival parades take place, is lined with many fine old buildings, including several colorful 17th-century wine shops still in business. The small Nick Mali Gallery (Antigua Art Gallery) lies on the north-east coast of Hodges Bay.
Small fort james was built on a bluff at the northern end of St. John's Harbor in 1675, but most of its surviving structures date back to 1739. Several ancient cannons that once guarded the harbor can still be seen here, as well as gunpowder magazines, a mess hall, barracks and several largely intact fortifications. Together with Fort Barrington (the oldest defensive structure on the island, mid-17th century), lying on the opposite side of the mouth of the harbor, and Fort St. John on Rat Island, it formed an almost impregnable system of defensive structures. Today the fort looks rather dilapidated, but the picturesque view from its walls more than compensates for all the inconveniences. Nearby lies a cemetery with a small obelisk in honor of the soldiers of the 54th regiment. A little further north, in Fort Bay, lies one of the capital's most popular beaches.
Named after the church of St Mary of Redcliffe, Redcliffe Quay is considered the best place to explore the city. This is one of the oldest parts of St. John's, so there are many old warehouses that have been restored and used for small shops, as well as restaurants and bars. Behind the pier, at the end of Nevis Street, is the old slave market, and to the north is the colorful Heritage Quay area, where cruise ships dock and therefore there are many duty-free shops, a theater, and a memorial to the Antiguans who gave their lives in the fields The First World War, a monument to the first prime minister of an independent country, W. Bird, and the Westerby Memorial. The colorful Farmers' Market is located in the southwestern part of the city. It's worth visiting on weekends when thousands of locals flock here.
English Harbor, "English Harbour", lying on the southern coast of the island, is considered the most popular attraction of Antigua, having the richest collection of historical monuments on the island.
The main point of attraction in the harbor is Nelson Dockyard (“Nelson’s Dockyard”), which is a British naval base (18th century), today the most popular yacht anchorage on the island and the only real harbor of that era in the world.
During the Napoleonic Wars, English Harbor was used as one of the main bases of the British fleet, the names of Nelson, Rodney and Hood are associated with it, so it is not surprising that it is now established National Park with an area of about 27 sq. km.
Worth seeing are the Gregorian-style Clarence House (18th century, now the Governor General's summer residence), the partially restored fortified lookout post and old cemetery at Shirley Heights, and the Daws Hill Visitor Center (which regularly hosts multimedia history shows). Antigua), and among the thickets of cacti stands Fort Berkeley, which once protected the western entrance to the harbor (the fort is dilapidated, but is being intensively restored).
Nearby lies the large horseshoe-shaped bay of Falmouth Harbor, which is a whole tourist complex with a large number of restaurants. High in the hills above the village of Falmouth (north side of the harbour) lies the massive fort of Great Fort George, and the eastern part of Falmouth Harbor is practically adjacent to Nelson Dockyard. St Paul's Anglican Church, located on the main road to Falmouth, is Antigua's first Christian church (built in 1676). Around the church there is an old cemetery with the graves of Charles Pitt (he was buried here in 1780), a memorial to Andrew Dunlop and other historical figures.
West Coast
The west coast of Antigua, between the small fishing village of Old Road and the capital, is one large tourist area, lined with hotels and a series of beautiful beaches. Here, framed by the rolling hills of the Shakerley Mountains, are beautiful beach areas such as Dickenson Bay, Runway Bay, Galley Bay and Hawksbill. From Old Road the road follows the coast past banana groves and pineapple plantations, around Cades Bay and the cay of the same name, to highest point islands - Mount Boggy Peak (402 m), from whose top you can see the islands of St. Kitts, Guadeloupe and even Montserrat.
North-west of St. John's lie two beautiful bays - Runway Bay and Dickenson Bay. This is a surprisingly quiet area with long beaches and magnificent white sand, calm waters and a handful of small but very cozy hotels. Here you can find a huge number of seabirds, the ruins of the old Fort Corbinson, the white beaches between Corbinson Point and Witherill Hill, and the large salt water body on the inland side of Runway Bay, which also serves as a nesting site for thousands of birds. Nearby are the restored colonial sugar plantation Betty's Hope (1650, the first on the island) with a small museum in the Visitor Center, more than 170 old windmills, and the Devil's Bridge rock formation, the lower part of which was washed away by thousands of years of tireless surf action ( according to Indian beliefs, this is where the spirits of the island live), Indian Town National Park, as well as the Scenic Half Moon Bay National Park (one of best places Surf Island), Harmony Hall Art Gallery and one of the island's best restaurants in Nonsuch Bay. Nearby lies the deserted Green Island, considered an excellent place for snorkeling. Also a great place to sea holiday considered to be Deep Bay west of St. John's. A salty body of water separates Deep Bay from the slightly smaller Hog John Bay, which is within walking distance of Fort Barrington.
South-west and south coast
The coastline of the hilly southwestern part of Antigua is much less developed in terms of tourism than the areas around the capital. However, there are some beautiful seashores to be found here, such as Fries Bay, Darkwood Beach, Turner Beach, Jolly Harbaugh Bay and the shores around Point Johnson, as well as Rendezvous Bay and Doigs Beach. Even short walk Along the Rendezvous Trail, through over thirty varieties of shrubs and trees, including giant redwoods, you will see some of the most beautiful coastline and panoramas the island has to offer. There are also a lot of birds living here, which give this area of the island a special “wildness”. South-west of the capital, a narrow isthmus leads to the large peninsula of Five Island, so named because of the five stones that protrude from the sea at some distance from the shore. The barren and arid landscape of the peninsula would be completely uninteresting if it were not for the many small cozy beaches, the large rock in the shape of the head of a hawksbill turtle that gives Hawksball Bay its name, as well as the proximity of the capital and Fort Barrington, which can be reached on foot in about 15 minutes .
Attractions Barbuda
Barbuda Island lies 42 km north of Antigua. This quiet, pastoral and rustic island, home to just 2% of the country's population, is very rarely visited by tourists - mainly birdwatchers and yachtsmen come here. But nevertheless, this small piece of land in the vast expanse of the sea is considered one of the most picturesque islands on the planet, and its eight-kilometer Long Beach is also one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Codrington
The island's more village-like capital, Codrington was named after the Gloucestershire family that once leased Barbuda to the British Crown for "one fat pig a year." Now it is the same quiet town as at the end of the 19th century, the main decoration of which is the numerous beautiful one-story houses (many owners paint them in their own color), and the Government House (1694), which lies in the center of the town, behind the post office. Unfortunately, Government House, which most recently housed the Holy Trinity School building, was severely damaged by Hurricane Louis in 1995, and is being restored rather slowly. The town also has a few guesthouses and a handful of restaurants, bars and shops, but overall it is extremely quiet and deserted, only coming to life on Sunday when the traditional cricket competition is held on the field near Holy Trinity School.
5 km north of the capital, at the highest point of the island (45 m), lies Codrington House (1720), also known as "Willy Bob" or "Mountain House". From this once large slaveholding estate of the Codringtons, only a box of walls and a large water tank have survived to this day. But from here there is an excellent panorama of the coastline Barbuda and the island itself. Also interesting is the Martello Tower (1745-1850) 5 km south of Codrington, which was once part of the island’s fortification system. The tower has a high platform (total height about 10 m) and extremely thick walls, but is empty inside. Cape Spanish Points is the most southeastern point of Barbuda and may be named after the Spanish galleon Santiago de Calerin, which sank in these places in 1695. More than 13 thousand gold pesos ended up at the bottom of the sea, which the ship was carrying as payment to the Spanish garrisons in Maracaibo. An incredible expanse of pristine sand and sparkling water stretches from Codrington to Spanish Points, including Low Bay and many other superb beaches.
The bush, which covers almost the entire territory of the island, provides shelter for an extensive animal community by local standards - deer and wild pigs, turtles and wild cats are found here. Feral cattle roam everywhere, as well as village sheep and goats, which independently return to their pens in the evening. There are several salty ponds where it usually gathers a large number of various birds, and the rare frigate bird (Fregata magnificans) nests in the lagoons, whose colony numbers about 2.5 thousand specimens here (it is believed that this is the largest frigate colony in the world). The coastal waters of the island are rich in crustaceans and numerous species of tropical fish.
Caves
Barbuda, composed almost entirely of limestone rocks, is replete with caves. There are two extensive underground complexes - at Castle Hill and at Two Foot Bay. The voids in Two Foot Bay are a small entrance hole, beyond which stretches a huge cave filled with stalactites and fossils. The ancient inhabitants of Barbuda used the caves for housing for many centuries. In the “Indian Cave” you can see petroglyphs left by the “Arawak” or “Siboni” tribes. Derby Cave lies just 5 kilometers north-east of Codrington, representing a vertical drift formed as a result of karst activity. The mouth of the cave, with a diameter of more than 100 meters, has a depth of more than 21 meters, while the stalagmites reach 2.5 meters in length. The vegetation around the cave resembles a tropical forest, full of palm trees, ferns and vines. Dark Cave lies 3.6 km south of Derby Cave and has a narrow entrance leading to an extensive cavern occupied by a pool of clear water that was used as a spring fresh water still Indians. The cave is home to several rare species of crustaceans, including the unique blind shrimp.
Indian Cave is certainly Barbuda's most interesting prehistoric site. The entrance to this cave is located near the top of a low cliff. Behind it begins the Drop-Cavern cave, and behind it is the Bat-Chamber cave, about 10 m high. From the main corridor to the east there is a short narrow drift, in which petroglyphs were found that are attributed to the Arawak culture. Further, the passage leads to another cave, which is illuminated by sunlight through holes in the roof.
Redonda
A tiny and virtually uninhabited volcanic rock known as Redonda, lies 56 km southwest of Barbuda. The island is practically not visited by tourists, only yachtsmen are frequent guests of these waters. Currently, Redonda is home to a natural park.
Reefs and natural attractions of Antigua and Barbuda
Both Antigua and Barbuda are almost completely surrounded by coral reefs, numerous underwater banks and rocks, and therefore abound in shipwrecks. The southern and eastern coasts of Antigua, and indeed the entire coast of Barbuda, are surrounded by shelf shoals that provide excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling. Most of Antigua's coastline, with its white sand and gentle slope, is protected from the sea by coral reefs, and all are free (at least officially). The main beach holiday destinations are: Dickenson Bay And Runway Bay on the east coast, Deep Bay And Hawksbill west of St. John's, as well as Darkwood Beach to the south is Jolly Harbour. On the east coast, the main vacation spot at sea is considered Half Moon Bay, and in English Harbor - Galleon Beach and isolated Page Beach. Outlying beaches, including the northern end of Dickenson Bay and Hawksbill Beach, are designated as nudist beaches.
Good conditions for snorkeling and diving can be found in the area Sunken Rock And Cape Shirley, as well as off the southern coast of Antigua. Moreover, many dive areas are located very close to the shore, rarely more than a fifteen-minute boat ride. And the underwater world of the islands is truly magnificent - there are numerous colorful reef inhabitants, including parrotfish, angelfish, wrasse and barracuda, practically safe nurse sharks and you can even meet, if you're lucky, dolphins and sea turtles. The reefs are largely pristine, and although the depths are shallow, there are some good sea canyons and shipwrecks.
Antigua's sheltered west coast is great for beginner surfers, while the windswept east coast boasts consistent winds and is great for experienced surfers. Another common activity is sport fishing in the ocean, with marlin, tuna and wahoo king mackerel being the main targets.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Antigua and Barbuda
- Royal Dockyards
Antigua and Barbuda are West Indian islands that are part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago.
Antigua and Barbuda is a paradise of nature surrounded by mighty mountains, the clearest waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, endless coral reefs, unforgettable sunrises and sunsets, developed infrastructure and a total of 365 beaches for complete relaxation.
The area of the islands is just over 440 square kilometers, and the local population is almost 87,000 people.
The capital of the state is located on the island of Antigua and is called St. John's.
The largest city in the archipelago is St. John's. There is a great beach holiday, delicious food, beautiful nature, a variety of entertainment and a rich excursion program.
The island of Barbuda is no less exotic and a nice place, and recognized as one of the most beautiful on the planet. Barbuda has good conditions for divers and snorkelers.
The third island of the archipelago, uninhabited, Redonda, is considered a national park and is preferred by yachtsmen.
There are no direct flights between Belarus and the archipelago.
The best option would be to fly to London, and from there take a direct flight to the islands.
Connecting cities could also be Frankfurt am Main or Vienna and New York, Warsaw and Toronto.
In any case, the flight will take almost 30 hours.
Climate of Antigua and Barbuda
A tropical trade wind climate dominates the territory of Antigua and Barbuda.
All year round, the average air temperature on the islands ranges from +26 to +32 degrees, but the intense heat is moderated by winds constantly blowing from the ocean.
The rainy season is usually observed in the period August-September - December. And the period June - November is characterized by tropical hurricanes, stormy winds and heavy rains.
Beach holidays on the islands are most comfortable from the second half of December to the first half of April.
Antigua and Barbuda Hotels
Accommodations in Antigua and Barbuda are small, cozy hotels with approximately 200 rooms. The cost of accommodation is usually all-inclusive. The level of such hotels usually corresponds to the usual 3* - 5* for us. Everywhere you will find a high level of service, a magnificent view of the ocean from your room, a balcony or terrace with a hammock - also right in the room, and there may also be a swimming pool with a wellness center on the hotel premises.
There are practically no large hotels on the islands.
There are 365 beautiful things in Antigua and Barbuda sandy beaches. All of them belong to the state, and admission to them is free.
Gully Bay is characterized by the presence of nudist beaches.
The entire coastline of the islands provides excellent conditions for divers, snorkelers, surfers and fishermen.
Half Moon Bay is a comfortable place for families with children to relax – the beach is located within the national park.
English Harbor is home to many historical monuments.
Banks, money, exchange offices
The currency of Antigua and Barbuda is the East Caribbean dollar, equal to 100 cents. There are paper banknotes in denominations of 5,10,20,50,100 local dollars and coins in denominations of 1 local dollar, 1,2,5,10,25,50 cents. The US dollar is also freely circulated throughout the country (the cost of goods is indicated in two currencies - local and American).
Banking hours:
On weekdays – from 8.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00
Some - on Saturdays - from 8.00 to 12.00
Currency exchange can be done in banks, hotels and large stores. The most favorable rate is in St. John's banks.
Pay with any credit cards it is possible almost everywhere, but you should clarify the terms of conversion (if the price is indicated in local dollars, and the card is in American dollars). Travel checks (preferably in US dollars) can also be cashed almost everywhere.
Tips are accepted (if the service charge is not included in the total price) in the amount of 10 - 15% depending on the quality of service, for taxi drivers - 10%, for porters - 0.5 dollars for each suitcase.
Tourist safety
Antigua and Barbuda is practically safe for tourists, but following simple rules will help you avoid any troubles.
It is prohibited to be topless on the beaches.
You should only drink bottled water, and before your trip it would be a good idea to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and polio.
Transport
There are well-established air connections between the islands, but there is no railway service as such.
The movement of passengers to Antigua and Barbuda is carried out by buses and taxis.
Travel by bus is relatively inexpensive, but not all places can be reached by this type of transport. settlements, and some run only on Sundays.
The taxi service operates in a very civilized manner: the cost is calculated according to certain tariffs, which will be indicated on the receipt that you will be given. Taxi drivers have undergone special training and can double as tour guides.
You can also rent a car yourself, with only one amendment - traffic here is on the left.
Entertainment, excursions, attractions
The capital of the archipelago offers to alternate a beach holiday with excursions, of which there are many - to historical places, museums, and attractions. In Saint John, you can visit the local market, where farmers offer their freshest products, or you can go on a jeep tour, kayaking, or a boardwalk on motor boats. There are golf courses for those interested.
The island of Barbuda is home to mysterious caves and rare bird species, as well as large golf courses. Various festivals, carnivals and holidays are regularly held on this island.
You can take a walk along the coast on a pirate ship, fly in a helicopter, or swim with dolphins.
Cuisine and restaurants
All countries in the region have in one way or another left their mark on the culinary traditions of Antigua and Barbuda.
For Europeans, lobsters, shellfish, shrimp and shells prepared in a certain way are exotic and preferred. Unusual dishes include sunfish, flying fish and red snapper.
Be sure to try the lamb and rabbit stew, as well as the local sweet potatoes with coconut and herbs.
Coconut milk is often offered as a drink on the islands.
Shopping and shops
The archipelago is home to duty-free shops where you can get great deals on jewelry (even the popular emeralds from Colombia), watches and other goods.
The main souvenirs of the islands are ceramics, jewelry made from shells and corals, and wooden crafts.
Customs
Large sums of money must be declared upon entry, but their quantity is not limited.
You can export amounts within the limits entered in the declaration upon entry.
There are restrictions on the import of cigarettes and alcohol.
It is prohibited to import narcotic substances and weapons to the islands, and to export objects of artistic and historical value.
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Antigua
Columbus named the island Antigua after the Antigua de Santa Maria church in Seville. A beautiful island with a picturesque coastline, many bays and rich vegetation, for a long time became the arena of struggle between European colonists and aggressive Indian tribes and the forces of nature. Only in the middle of the 17th century did life for the settlers begin to improve, and today the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are one of the largest resort areas in the West Indies. Antigua is home to a huge number of modern hotels, nightclubs, casinos, water sports centers and entertainment complexes.
Barbuda
The island of Barbuda lies 42 km north of Antigua. This quiet, pastoral and rustic island, home to just 2% of the country's population, is very rarely visited by tourists - mainly birdwatchers and yachtsmen come here. But nevertheless, this small piece of land in the vast expanse of the sea is considered one of the most colorful islands on the planet, and its eight-kilometer Long Beach is also one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The island's more village-like capital, Codrington was named after the Gloucestershire family that once leased Barbuda to the British Crown for "one fat pig a year." Barbuda, composed almost entirely of limestone rocks, abounds in caves.
Redonda
The tiny and virtually uninhabited volcanic rock known as Redonda lies 56km southwest of Barbuda. The island is practically not visited by tourists, only yachtsmen are frequent guests of these waters. Currently, Redonda is home to a natural park.
Reefs
Both Antigua and Barbuda are almost completely surrounded by coral reefs, numerous underwater banks and rocks, and therefore abound in shipwrecks. The southern and eastern coasts of Antigua, and in fact the entire coast of Barbuda, are surrounded by shelf shoals providing excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling. Most of Antigua's coastline, with its white sand and gentle slope, is protected from the sea by coral reefs, and all are free (at least officially). The main beach holiday destinations are Dickenson Bay and Runway Bay on the east coast, Deep Bay and Hawksbill west of St. John's, and Darkwood Beach in the south of Jolly Harbour. On the east coast, the main seaside holiday destination is Half Moon Bay, and in English Harbor - Galleon Beach and isolated Page Beach. Outlying beaches, including the northern end of Dickenson Bay and Hawksbill Beach, are designated as nudist beaches.
Good snorkeling and diving conditions can be found around Sunken Rock and Cape Shirley, as well as off the south coast of Antigua. Moreover, many dive areas are located very close to the shore, rarely more than a fifteen-minute boat ride. And the underwater world of the islands is truly magnificent - there are numerous colorful reef inhabitants, including parrotfish, angelfish, wrasse and barracuda, practically safe nurse sharks and you can even meet, if you're lucky, dolphins and sea turtles. The reefs are mostly in virtually pristine condition, and although the depths are shallow, there are some good sea canyons and shipwreck sites.
Antigua's sheltered west coast is perfect for beginner surfers, while the windswept east coast boasts consistent winds and is perfect for experienced surfers. Another common type of recreation is sport fishing in the ocean, the main objects of which here are marlin, tuna and king mackerel "wahoo".
