The travel guide to Antigua in the Caribbean
Antigua – The Island of 365 Beaches 🏝️🌴
Is this the best island in the Caribbean? If you ask the beaches, the answer is a definite yes!
Antigua boasts 365 beaches — one for every day of the year. This small island nation, part of Antigua and Barbuda, is an independent country surrounded by turquoise seas, rolling green hills, and ultra-white sand. It may be one of the smallest countries in the world, but it’s packed with beauty, culture, and history.
Join us as we explore and show you Antigua from North to South — visiting its most spectacular beaches, hidden viewpoints, and colonial landmarks.
🎥 Watch our full Antigua Travel Guide video to experience every stop in motion!
Island hopping in the Caribbean
The West Coast: Ffryes Bay & Darkwood Beach
Naturally, our first mission was to find the ocean. And in Antigua, that’s never hard.
Just ten minutes from St. John’s, we arrived at Ffryes Bay — a postcard-perfect beach with powder-white sand and calm, baby-friendly turquoise water.
A little further south, we reached Darkwood Beach, one of Antigua’s most beautiful coastal spots. From above, the drone revealed a breathtaking view — the beach perfectly wedged between a blue lagoon and the open sea. It’s the kind of Caribbean scenery you dream about, and yet, we had it almost completely to ourselves.
Everywhere we looked, green hills rose behind the beaches, including Mount Obama, the island’s highest peak at 402 meters.
The South Coast: English Harbour & Nelson’s Dockyard
No trip to Antigua is complete without visiting its most historic site — the English Harbour on the south coast.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the island’s first British settlement, established in the 18th century under Captain Horatio Nelson. The beautifully restored Nelson’s Dockyard is still in use today, filled with old stone buildings, cannons, and yachts moored in one of the world’s most scenic natural harbors.
Just five minutes uphill lies Shirley Heights, the island’s most famous viewpoint. From here, you can see the sweeping bay below — and even spot the neighboring island of Montserrat on a clear day.
Island hopping in the Caribbean is something you should definitely add to your bucket list! Even after visiting almost all Caribbean islands, it’s so hard to tell which island is the most beautiful. It depends on what you prefer the most. Is it the best bounty beaches? Or are you looking for an island in the middle of the jungle? We show you all the highlights of the Caribbean islands we visited in our videos. We even wrote a blog about the top 10 best Caribbean islands. To watch all the other videos about the Caribbean click here.
The East Coast: Half Moon Bay
If paradise had a shape, it would be Half Moon Bay.
This crescent-shaped beach on the far east side of Antigua feels like a hidden gem — peaceful, remote, and wrapped in nature.
We spent the afternoon swimming, spotting hummingbirds, and enjoying the sound of the waves. With almost nobody around, it’s easy to understand why locals say life’s a beach here.
History and Heritage: Betty’s Hope
Scattered across Antigua, you’ll find the remains of old sugar plantations from colonial times. Some are just ruins, others still have windmills standing tall against the horizon.
One of the best preserved is Betty’s Hope, the island’s first large sugar estate founded in the 1600s. As a Dutch traveler, seeing a Caribbean windmill made me feel a little bit at home — it’s a rare and fascinating link between two very different worlds.
The Capital: St. John’s
Before leaving the island, we explored St. John’s, the vibrant capital of Antigua. The city’s historic fortifications, like Fort James, overlook the Caribbean Sea and remind you of the island’s strategic importance during the colonial era.
But today, it’s all about color, rhythm, and smiles — from the lively market streets to the harbor lined with yachts and cruise ships.
Sunset at Jolly Beach
We ended our trip the way every Caribbean adventure should end — with a sunset swim at Jolly Beach. As the sky turned golden and locals gathered for happy hour with rum cocktails and reggae music, we couldn’t help but think:
If there really is one beach for every day of the year, we’d happily stay all 365.
Island Hopping in the Caribbean 🌴
Dreaming of turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and tropical adventures? Island hopping in the Caribbean should be high on your travel bucket list! With over 7,000 islands spread across crystal-clear seas, each one offers something unique—whether you’re chasing hidden jungle escapes, world-class diving spots, or the ultimate beach vibes.
Even after exploring nearly every corner of the Caribbean, it’s impossible to pick just one favorite. Some islands win your heart with their laid-back charm and untouched nature, while others shine with vibrant culture, historic towns, or unbeatable snorkeling.
Watch the highlights in our travel videos
In our videos, we take you along to the most stunning islands we’ve visited—showing you the must-sees, local secrets, and unforgettable experiences.
Looking for inspiration?
Don’t miss our blog post: Top 10 Best Caribbean Islands — your starting point for planning the perfect island-hopping adventure.
Explore all our Caribbean videos and let the journey begin.
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We’re Wout & Suus, traveling full time around the world with our little globetrotters Jens & Céline.
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