ANTIGUA ADVENTURE: A PHOTO TOUR

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit a handful of Caribbean islands—thirteen, to be exact—and one of the brightest gems on that list is Antigua. Nestled in the West Indies (yep, that’s what your phone will show as your location), this island is part of the stunning Leeward Islands chain.

Antigua is famous for its beaches—locals claim there are 365 of them, one for every day of the year. Whether that’s literally true or just a clever way to lure visitors, it’s easy to see why the island has earned its reputation as a paradise. Soft sand, sparkling turquoise water, and hidden coves await around every turn.

The easiest—and most fun—way to truly see Antigua is on a tour. You can read all about how we chose ours [HERE]. Before our cruise, I couldn’t have pointed out Antigua and Barbuda on a map without a bit of hesitation. Now, after exploring its winding roads, colorful towns, and secret beaches, I’ll never forget it.

If you’re like many people, you might not be able to point out Antigua and Barbuda on a map. To be honest, before our Caribbean cruise, it would have taken me a little while to find this tiny island myself.

BEACHES

With our feet finally on Antigua’s soft sand, it was time to see what the island is really famous for—its beaches.

ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB

After soaking up the sun and snorkeling in the turquoise waters, we headed to the Antigua Yacht Club to enjoy a different side of island life.

AROUND THE ISLAND

  

With a few drinks and bites enjoyed by the water, it was time to explore more of what Antigua has to offer—winding roads, colorful towns, and hidden gems beyond the coast.

Loved the boat shaped house in the above photo.

The fruit growing in the above photo is a Custard Apple.  It was the fist time I had ever seen this fruit but love the texture.  It supposedly has the taste of custard, hence the name.

Of course, the views are breathtaking, but what really stole my attention in Antigua was the fruit. Everywhere I looked, pineapples, mangoes, bananas, and coconuts were growing together, more abundant than on any other Caribbean island I’ve visited.

Spotted along our drive: a cheerful preschool and day care, a glimpse of everyday life on the island.

Branch Post Office tucked into Antigua’s charming streets

What to Know Before Visiting Antigua

Size & Getting Around:
Antigua is a small island—only 108 square miles and about 13 miles across—so it’s easy to see a lot, even if you only have a day like we did.

Tours:
If Antigua is one of your cruise ports, check out my post about arriving in port and choosing a tour [HERE]. We took a full island tour for just $20 USD with a local guide—and it was amazing! I’ll walk you through the process so you can enjoy a day on the island for very little money.

Currency:
The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, but US dollars are widely accepted.

Language:
English is the official language, making it easy for English-speaking visitors to get around.

What I’d Do Differently:
Honestly, nothing! We had a relaxing breakfast, followed by an incredible island tour. It was the perfect day in Antigua.