One part classic Caribbean hideaway and one part historic British civility, the sister islands of Antigua and Barbuda make for a perfect balance of relaxation and elegance.
CULTURE SEEKERS
One of Antigua’s biggest attractions is also one of its most historically significant: Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. Tucked into a bay in English Harbour (where else?), Nelson’s Dockyard was once the 18th century base of the British naval fleet in the Caribbean. Here, famed captain Horatio Nelson lived, led, and plotted strategies in the turbulent world of Caribbean colonialism, as England battled the French and Dutch for the right to call many of the surrounding islands their own. Today, visitors to Nelson’s Dockyard can imagine what the dock and its surrounding village might have looked like as they wander from the Dockyard Museum, illustrating the history of the site inside a building that once served as the Naval Officer’s House, to the boathouse, copper and lumber store, and pay offi ce. Restored to their former condition as pristine Georgian style residences, many buildings now serve as shops and boutiques. Visitors here can even dine outdoors, right along the dock, at a restaurant that once served as the seamen’s galley.
GO NATURAL
Despite centuries of European settlement in these islands, Antigua and Barbuda’s natural environment has remained relatively untouched, affording naturalists and adventure seekers plenty of chances to see some authentic tropical fl ora and fauna. This is where Antigua’s sister island really comes into her own, with no cities and their accompanying noise, crowds and congestion to infringe on your island safari. Wherever you look—on land, under the sea, or in the air above—you’ll discover some of Barbuda’s unique wildlife. Birdwatchers should head directly to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary at Wa’Omoni Beach Park, a mangrove-nesting Mecca for the birds who actually outnumber the human residents of the island. Armed with a pair of binoculars and a comfortable set of sneakers, birdwatchers can also spot the frigate’s feathered neighbors: tropical mockingbirds, pelicans and herons. While a visit to this sanctuary in the Codrington Lagoon is recommended year-round, travelers visiting between September and April have the chance to see the frigates’ mating behaviors, with the males showing off their bright-red breasts to attract mates. Located just 15 minutes away by boat, Lighthouse Bay is one of the best hotels for birdwatchers on the island, offering daily excursions to the sanctuary. On land, Barbuda’s beaches don’t disappoint, boasting both white and pink sands and the near impossibility of encountering another traveler. Venture into the blue from Barbuda’s beaches and you’ll discover an undersea world teeming with life. Barbuda is especially popular with divers who enjoy exploring wrecks, some of which date to the 17th century and haven’t yet been officially explored. Back on Antigua, the most popular site is Cades Reef, stretching for two miles and housing dozens of species of colorful tropical fish.
ANTIGUA IS FOR LOVERS
As romantic destinations go, Antigua is one of the best in the Caribbean. If sunsets are your thing, there’s no better place in Antigua than Shirley Heights, a former military stronghold set just above Nelson’s Dockyard. The site is chock-full of historical significance. It’s named for an 18th century governor, littered with centuries-old gun emplacements, ruins of military buildings, and home to an obelisk tribute to the 54th regiment of soldiers. But that’s not what makes Shirley Heights so popular. It’s the parties that take place amid all this history every Sunday— ranging from afternoon barbeques and drinking rum and dancing to local reggae under the stars—that keep locals and tourists alike coming back again and again. So what else makes Antigua so romantic? How about its 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. With so many sandy stretches available, chances are you and your loved one can easily find a place along the shore that’s yours and yours alone.
CULTURE SEEKERS
One of Antigua’s biggest attractions is also one of its most historically significant: Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. Tucked into a bay in English Harbour (where else?), Nelson’s Dockyard was once the 18th century base of the British naval fleet in the Caribbean. Here, famed captain Horatio Nelson lived, led, and plotted strategies in the turbulent world of Caribbean colonialism, as England battled the French and Dutch for the right to call many of the surrounding islands their own. Today, visitors to Nelson’s Dockyard can imagine what the dock and its surrounding village might have looked like as they wander from the Dockyard Museum, illustrating the history of the site inside a building that once served as the Naval Officer’s House, to the boathouse, copper and lumber store, and pay offi ce. Restored to their former condition as pristine Georgian style residences, many buildings now serve as shops and boutiques. Visitors here can even dine outdoors, right along the dock, at a restaurant that once served as the seamen’s galley.
GO NATURAL
Despite centuries of European settlement in these islands, Antigua and Barbuda’s natural environment has remained relatively untouched, affording naturalists and adventure seekers plenty of chances to see some authentic tropical fl ora and fauna. This is where Antigua’s sister island really comes into her own, with no cities and their accompanying noise, crowds and congestion to infringe on your island safari. Wherever you look—on land, under the sea, or in the air above—you’ll discover some of Barbuda’s unique wildlife. Birdwatchers should head directly to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary at Wa’Omoni Beach Park, a mangrove-nesting Mecca for the birds who actually outnumber the human residents of the island. Armed with a pair of binoculars and a comfortable set of sneakers, birdwatchers can also spot the frigate’s feathered neighbors: tropical mockingbirds, pelicans and herons. While a visit to this sanctuary in the Codrington Lagoon is recommended year-round, travelers visiting between September and April have the chance to see the frigates’ mating behaviors, with the males showing off their bright-red breasts to attract mates. Located just 15 minutes away by boat, Lighthouse Bay is one of the best hotels for birdwatchers on the island, offering daily excursions to the sanctuary. On land, Barbuda’s beaches don’t disappoint, boasting both white and pink sands and the near impossibility of encountering another traveler. Venture into the blue from Barbuda’s beaches and you’ll discover an undersea world teeming with life. Barbuda is especially popular with divers who enjoy exploring wrecks, some of which date to the 17th century and haven’t yet been officially explored. Back on Antigua, the most popular site is Cades Reef, stretching for two miles and housing dozens of species of colorful tropical fish.
ANTIGUA IS FOR LOVERS
As romantic destinations go, Antigua is one of the best in the Caribbean. If sunsets are your thing, there’s no better place in Antigua than Shirley Heights, a former military stronghold set just above Nelson’s Dockyard. The site is chock-full of historical significance. It’s named for an 18th century governor, littered with centuries-old gun emplacements, ruins of military buildings, and home to an obelisk tribute to the 54th regiment of soldiers. But that’s not what makes Shirley Heights so popular. It’s the parties that take place amid all this history every Sunday— ranging from afternoon barbeques and drinking rum and dancing to local reggae under the stars—that keep locals and tourists alike coming back again and again. So what else makes Antigua so romantic? How about its 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. With so many sandy stretches available, chances are you and your loved one can easily find a place along the shore that’s yours and yours alone.
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