Rainforest Canopy Tour
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Valley Church Beach
Devil's Bridge
Frigate Bird Sanctuary
Nelson's Dockyard
Stingray City
Sailing Week
Half Moon Bay
Antigua & Barbuda Musts
Experience Antigua’s rainforest from above on the Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour. You are sure to have an amazing adventure flying across zip lines and walking the rope bridges that connect the treetops. Safety is of paramount importance to the highly trained staff that will guide you in this incredible experience. Absolute must do while in Antigua!
Spend the day relaxing in the sun on the serene Valley Church Beach on Antigua’s western coast along Lignum Vitae Bay. The silky, white sand and calm, turquoise water make this secluded destination a true beach lovers paradise. Valley Church Beach is also home to the lovely Nest Beach Bar, a great spot for some food and refreshments.
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Another definite must do while on Antigua is to check out the amazing natural phenomenon known as Devil’s Bridge, near the village of Willikies. This stunning limestone formation was created over millions of years of the Atlantic Ocean’s waves crashing along the eastern shores of Antigua, creating a natural arch or bridge. Walking across the bridge is not advised, however, as it can be quite slippery as the waves crash onto the bridge.
Visitors to Antigua should be sure to take the quick trip to Barbuda (20 min by plane or 3 hours by boat). With its minimal number of accommodations, the pristine island is one of the best places to explore the untouched natural beauty of the Caribbean islands. In the northwestern part of the island, you will find the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, which is home to over 5,000 massive frigate birds and more than 170 other species of birds.
The annual Antigua Sailing Week takes place every year in late April/early May and is an absolute can’t-miss event! The regatta has taken place every year in Antigua for over 40 years; sailors from all across the world participate in this premier racing event and it is truly a sight to behold!
At the Shirley Heights military complex, on the southern-most tip of Antigua, visitors can explore a centuries-old fort nearly 500 feet above the surface of the sea below, and experience some of the island’s most spectacular views. Highlights of the complex include a signal station used for communication via a system of flags, a guard house, officers’ quarters and 40-bed hospital, as well as a massive commemorative obelisk.
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Shirley Heights
On Half Moon Bay, a spectacular beach on Antigua’s southeastern coast, visitors will find no shortage of fantastic activities, from swimming to scuba and snorkeling as well as a variety of water sports. Half Moon Bay is also a great place to meet new people as the stunning beach attracts many visitors from far and wide.
Immerse yourself in the history of Antigua with a visit to Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. The harbor at this amazing park has served as home to many famous British naval officers, most notably Admiral Lord Nelson after whom the park is named. This port, often used for the cross-Atlantic journey, boasts a number of colonial homes that have been well restored and can be explored by visitors.
One of Antigua’s most unique offerings is the opportunity to swim with stingrays at Stingray City, a dive center located along Barge Reef, which is accessible by boat from the small fishing village of Seatons. The center’s professional staff will supervise and guide you as you swim with, pet and possibly even feed the friendly stingrays that frequent this picturesque reef.
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Hell's Gate
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Located on a tiny island off North Sound Antigua, Hell’s Gate is a natural rock formation shaped like an arch. Reachable by boat, this is a beautiful piece of nature. You will definitely want to explore the caves or go snorkeling and swimming in the warm, calm waters surrounding Hell's Gate.