The undulating coast of Antigua contains a multitude of tucked-away coves and quiet beaches – rumor has it there’s one for every day of the year.
Travelers flock to the Caribbean because of its reputation for impeccable stretches of sand, but Antigua is on another level. You’re never more than a few miles from a beautiful white-gold shoreline at any time.
From full-scale resort beaches sporting all the facilities to bays offering the best surfing or snorkeling action, and lonesome desert island coves that you have all to yourself, here are the nine best beaches in Antigua according to GoTravelDaily.
1. Dickenson Bay
For travelers in search of a full-on, full-facility island beach, head 5km (3 miles) north of the cruise terminal to Dickenson Bay. Antigua does not provide a more developed beach package than this, where jam-packed resorts jostle with some of the island’s best restaurants, bars, cafes, food trucks, and water sports for a bit of prime beachfront.
It is certainly the most packed strip of sand, especially when fun seekers from the largest resorts descend. However, because the bay stretches to over a mile in length, there is invariably space to separate yourself from the masses. The tradeoff for the crowds is the excellent array of activities available, including Jet Ski sessions, wakeboarding, parasailing, and tubing.
Planning tip: The calm, shallow waters at Dickenson Bay are perfect for tiny travelers new to splashing around in the sea.
2. Fort James Beach
If you’re visiting Antigua as part of a Caribbean cruise, this is the beach for you. It is the closest quality beach to the cruise port in St. John, a mere 3.5km (2.2-mile) drive away. Despite its long, lovely fringe of white-blonde sand and the intriguing ruins of the 18th-century Fort James at the headland, it sees far fewer visitors than the popular Runaway Bay and Dickenson Bay just to the north.
This beach is a much-frequented spot by locals, who create a wonderful atmosphere with their spirited games of volleyball and beach cricket. There are a couple of low-key but very good eateries near the fort, perfect for a casual meal.
3. Hawksbill Beaches
To the west of St. John’s sprawl, the peninsula containing Five Islands Village buts into the ocean in a shape resembling a goat’s head. It’s particularly beach-rich, even by Antigua’s exemplary standards, and Hawksbill Bay’s quartet of strands at the western end is simply stunning.
The Hawksbill by Rex resort complex straddles much of the shore; to reach beaches two, three, and four, visitors have to pass through the resort entrance and security post. The first sands are just before the resort, followed by others primarily for resort guests. The fourth, Eden Beach, is the most spectacular of all, albeit the only clothing-optional beach in Antigua.
A long stretch of sand the color of banana cream, this beach offers exquisite views out to the craggy Hawksbill Rock, from which the beaches get their name. You’re more than welcome to keep your swimsuit on if you’d prefer, and it’s a pleasantly quiet beach experience on most days.
4. Ffryes Beach
Partly cut off from the rest of Antigua by a lagoon, the serene sea grape-shaded Ffryes Beach is a happy medium between busyness and tranquility. This low-key locale attracts families but seldom becomes overly crowded, while barbecue facilities and Dennis Cocktail Bar & Restaurant give you plenty of reasons to linger.
Planning tip: This is the West Coast’s best-known beach; however, if you’d like to snorkel, head to Darkwood Bay with its alluringly iridescent waters and secret reef just south of Ffryes.
5. Rendezvous Bay Beach
Which side of Antigua has the best beaches? If remoteness is what you crave, it has to be the south side. Part of the thrill is arriving at the flaxen arc of Rendezvous Bay: it is among Antigua’s most isolated beaches, nestled along a delightfully undeveloped stretch of coast.
The only way in is on foot along a rough trail (or, if you have one, a private yacht). The easier land access is from Falmouth Bay: follow signs for Spring Hill Riding Club, park nearby and follow the track through scrub and forest.
Either approach builds the anticipation before reaching the lonesome rainforest-backed beach, spreading on both sides of a deep lagoon. Here, you may just have the beautiful stretch of sand to yourself.
6. Pigeon Point Beach
A curl of neem tree-flanked sand lies between the south coast’s two significant natural harbors, Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour. Pigeon Point Beach attracts visiting vessels aplenty. With its gently shelving shore, it’s also perfect for families looking to have some fun in the sun.
Planning tip: Nearby is Antigua’s blockbuster sight, the UNESCO-listed 18th-century nautical complex of Nelson’s Dockyard, worth visiting for its historical significance and beautiful setting.
7. Half Moon Bay
What’s in a name? Sometimes a moniker is spot on, and that’s the case for Half Moon Bay. This far-reaching sandy crescent features an almost lunar-like whiteness, contrasting beautifully with surrounding waters the color of blue curaçao. Aesthetic considerations aside, Half Moon Bay is an exceptional beach destination in Antigua.
Bodysurfers gravitate toward the south, while snorkelers cherish the more placid sea at the northern end. Later in the day, everyone comes together for a lunch of grilled fish, making it a vibrant spot.
8. Long Bay Beach
If Long Bay Beach had nothing to offer besides its sand as soft and white as icing sugar, it would still deserve a spot on any list of top beaches in Antigua. However, it has a lot more to offer. Visitors are immediately beckoned into the teal shallows by the reef that shelters the bay, making it one of the finest snorkeling beaches on the island.
Here, one can spy various marine life, and a short venture east leads to the geological wonders at Devil’s Bridge, where waves have sculpted the shoreline into intriguing formations.
9. Jabberwock Beach
In the northeasternmost corner of the island, the sickle-shaped Jabberwock Beach spans over a mile between Cedar Grove and Camp Blizzard. It is the most consistently dependable spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding, as trade winds hit the north of the island first. If the surf’s up anywhere on Antigua, it’s at Jabberwock.
A kiteboarding school operates at the southern end, making it an ideal spot for both seasoned and new enthusiasts. Moreover, this beach is among the closest to the V.C. Bird International Airport, perfect for those eager to wriggle their toes in Antiguan sand right away.
This article was first published Mar 22, 2021, and updated Feb 29, 2024.
