The Best Beaches in Antigua—And Where to Stay Nearby
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We have a way of exaggerating things in the Caribbean: Jamaica’s seven-mile beach is roughly four miles, and Bonaire’s 1,000-step limestone staircase is only 67 steps, for example. But in Antigua, there really are 365 beaches, enough to fill a calendar year—and the island’s undulating coastline is a beach lovers playground where bay hopping is a mandatory island pastime.
I’ve traveled all over the Caribbean, and Antigua's beaches are truly some of the best—mainly because of the sheer variety. Want calm, shallow waters? Or seeking bigger waves that pound the surf? Maybe you want a deserted cove? Fortunately, Antigua has it all. Though it's difficult to choose the best beaches in Antigua among the (actual) hundreds across the island, here are seven of the biggest names to work into your itinerary—and the best place to stay near each one, if you want to experience it for a little bit longer.
Half Moon Bay
On the island's southeast side, the remote Half Moon Bay is 40 minutes from the capital via winding roads, but the journey is rewarded with a stunning crescent-shaped beach with few visitors. Bodysurfers hang out on the island's south end, while snorkelers enjoy the calm, clear waters on the island's north end. Beach Bum Bar and Grill, steps from the shore, is a rustic beach shack with a chalkboard menu and plates of hand-battered coconut shrimp and local lobster. Bring your own beach towels; there’s little on the beach except a few picnic tables scattered under palm trees.
Where to stay: The luxury, adults-only Hammock Cove Resort & Spa has its own secluded beachfront, but a day trip to Half Moon Bay is only 25 minutes away.
Fryes Bay
Flanked by sea grape trees, Ffryes Bay is only a 10-minute taxi ride from downtown St. John on the island's west coast. The curl of white sand beach rarely fills up, and on Sundays, locals come here to cool off. The beach’s gentle slope and calm, shallow waters are a magnet for families with young kids, and along with chair and umbrella rentals, there are BBQ facilities if you want to DIY your cookout. If you’d rather sit back and watch the waves lap the shore from a patio table, head to Dennis Beach Bar for fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs, curry conch, or fried snapper.
Where to stay: A bit north of Fryes Beach, Cocobay is a collection of private villas with infinity pools that overlook the water.
Antigua
Dickenson Bay
Google beaches in Antigua, and a few images usually pop up: an aerial shot of English Harbour and a shot of a red phone booth on Dickenson Bay. While Dickenson Bay isn’t the most secluded, it’s one of the best beaches on the island for its access to activities. It’s only a 15-minute drive from the cruise ports, making it a popular spot for day visitors. Unlike some of the off-the-beaten-path beaches, there are beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel gear for rent, and local vendors selling crafts and drinks. Consider arriving earlier in the day or on a weekday for a less crowded experience, but keep in mind: the bustle of Dickenson Bay is part of the fun.
Where to stay: Choose from the opulent, couples-only Sandals Grande Antigua—or Siboney Beach Club, a comfortable 35-room boutique property.
Galley Bay Beach
Galley Bay Beach ticks off the boxes for a great beach: soft, white sand, turquoise water, and towering palm trees. The beach is also a haven for sea life: tucked between two small coral reefs, snorkelers can spot stingrays, angelfish, and parrotfish, and if you visit during the summer, keep an eye out for nesting sea turtles. The beach is home to the intimate Gauguin Restaurant and Bar, which offers private cabana dining right on the beach. If you can, stay for a dazzling sunset and snap a photo for your future screensaver.
Where to stay: The adults-only Galley Bay Resort & Spa offers secluded cottages on 50 beautifully landscaped acres.
Carlisle Bay, Hotel
Rendezvous Bay
One of Antigua’s most isolated beaches, the only thing you’ll run into at Rendezvous Bay may be your footprints. Just around the bend from Falmouth Harbor, the wild, palm tree-ringed beach is only reachable by boat or a steep hike through a rugged rainforest. Ideal for adventurous travelers, the blissed-out beach is at the center of Antigua’s ten thousand-acre National Park, and the views from the beach are breathtaking. If you’re an experienced hiker, the 90-minute trek is the perfect natural build-up to the jaw-dropping Jurassic Park-like geography, or you can hire a boat captain to take you out for the day.
Where to stay: While Rendezvous Bay is out of the way, it's worth the trek. You can’t go wrong with a stay at the nearby Carlisle Bay, a five-star resort nestled at the foothills of a rainforest.
Turner’s Beach
Despite its popularity, Turner’s Beach has managed to stay relatively quiet. The beach has a rocky area on one end, but get past that, and there’s flour-soft sand under your toes. On the north side of the beach, OJ’s Beach Bar and Restaurant is a popular hangout. The restaurant is decked out with seashells and driftwood that’s been washed up on the beach, and the best view is on the second level. The restaurant is known for its grilled red snapper and generously poured rum cocktails.
Where to stay: Nearby Keyonna Beach Antigua is a stunning couples-only boutique hotel with stand-alone cottages outfitted with handcrafted wood furniture.
Darkwood Bay
A favorite among locals and repeat visitors, Darkwood Bay is about a 25-minute drive from St. John and a little less developed than other popular beaches. Still, the beachfront offers convenient umbrella and chair rentals, along with a few water sports equipment rentals. Get ready to spend a day (or two) gazing out at the glassy water (on a clear day, you can see neighboring Montserrat) or make a lingering lunch stop at Darkwood Beach Bar and Restaurant. Owned by Antiguan locals, the outpost has been serving their popular lobster salad and pina coladas to hungry beachgoers since 1981.
Where to stay: Darkwood Beach is just south of Tamarind Hills Resort, a coastal-design property on an oceanfront bluff that offers one-bedroom suites and multi-bedroom townhomes and villas.
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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