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Next to Barbados in the heart of the Caribbean lies Antigua—a 100-square-mile territory with a beach to visit every day of the year! From hidden coves surrounded by dramatic cliffs and colorful coral reefs in dazzling blue water to powdery white sand along the sun-drenched coast, sunseekers and nature lovers will find the perfect beach to fit their vacation vibe.
With 365 beaches to explore, no trip to Antigua could cover them all, so we’ve rounded up the best beaches in Antigua and our favorite ways to enjoy them!
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Best Time to Visit Antigua’s Best Beaches
Antigua is most popular during the dry season from December to April when the island country experiences better weather and a significantly lower risk of hurricanes. Temps are in the mid-to-high 80s.
The tradeoff is visiting during tourist season, with higher prices and larger crowds. Of course, Antigua has hundreds of beaches to explore for families that want to avoid big crowds, including some with a more “hidden secret” vibe.
Some notable events in Antigua include turtle nesting from June to November, the vibrant, celebratory Antigua Carnival, Antigua Sailing Week toward the end of April/early May, and the Antigua Charter Yacht Show in December.
For families that want to visit outside of high season, the good news is that Caribbean rains can be heavy but are usually brief. July and August are the rainiest months.
Best Beaches on Antigua’s West Coast
Jabberwock Beach
Sitting on Antigua’s northeast coast, the steady ocean winds make Jabberwock Beach the ideal spot for surfing, parasailing, and flying kites. Our family stopped here shortly after arriving in Antigua.
The view of the turquoise waters goes on and on!
Photo by Bogdan Pasca on Unsplash
We arrived before check-in for our resort and wanted to stretch our legs after the flight. Jabberwock Beach is one of the closest to V.C. International Airport, and my boys loved watching the colorful parachutes and kites float through the sky!
Ffryes Beach
Ffryes Beach is nestled between two rolling hills on Antigua’s west coast, giving it a sense of privacy and seclusion. Surrounded by lush vegetation, families with younger kids will appreciate the gentle slope of the beach and calm waters, perfect for kids still getting their sea legs.
With so many food choices, this is a great beach to experience Antiguan cuisine.
Photo by Alfredo Burgos on Unsplash
There are 33 restaurants within three miles of the beach, including some right on the beach. Dennis Cocktail Bar & Restaurant has everything from local favorites like curry goat to cheeseburgers and steak – something for everyone. The rum raisin ice cream was fantastic! Under the Sea Bar & Grill also makes for a great lunch!
Dickenson Bay Beach
Shallow water and gentle waves make Dickensen Bay great for wading, swimming, beachcombing, and water sports, including wakeboarding, snorkeling, and jet skiing. It sits on the northwest coast and is one of the most popular beaches because of the numerous hotels and resorts nearby.
Beaches line Antigua’s entire coast – and there’s a lot of it!
Photo by Kelcie Papp on Unsplash
It’s easy to rent beach chairs, wakeboards, umbrellas, and other water sports equipment on the beach, so families don’t have to worry about bringing anything heavy. Even though this is a busier beach, it is approximately 1 mile long, and it won’t be hard to find a private spot!
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Jolly Beach
Visitors to Jolly Beach can swim in the turquoise waters of Jolly Harbour or relax with their toes in powdery white sand. As one of the longest and widest beaches in Antigua, there’s plenty of room to soak up the sun!
Of Antigua’s 365 beaches, Jolly Beach is one of the more popular choices.
Photo by Conny Schneider on Unsplash
This is a more popular beach with beachside bars, live music, and plenty of activities. It’s possible to rent beach chairs and umbrellas, but it is also near a cruise port, so it’s fairly busy when cruise ships visit!
Deep Bay Beach
Deep Bay Beach juts out of Antigua’s west coast. It sits inside a sheltered bay, so the waves aren’t so intense. The south part of the coast is covered in beach chairs from the nearby Royalton Resort, but the northern side is covered in vegetation and is significantly less crowded. Families can also explore the ruins of Fort Barrington, a historical military base to the north.
This sheltered bay has calm waters perfect for younger kids!
Photo by Phil Hauser on Unsplash
Fort James Beach
Sitting on the northwest side of Antigua, Fort James Beach is a great place for relaxation, exploration, and experiencing local culture. There are long stretches of white sand for walking along the beach and clear water perfect for snorkeling. Families can rent watersports equipment here, too, including snorkeling gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.
Families can rent kayaks and paddleboards all over Antigua!
Photo by Hugh Whyte on Unsplash
This beach is also near Fort James, built by the British in the 1800s to protect St. John’s Harbor. My boys loved seeing the cannons that still sit on the fort’s walls. I loved sampling the local cuisine, from fried plantains and jerk chicken to tropical cocktails. This is a popular spot for locals on the weekend, who gather for picnics, beach games, and live music.
Best Beaches on Antigua’s East Coast
The eastern coast of Antigua is about 40 minutes from the busiest parts of Antigua and St. John. The cost of cab fare might steer some tourists away, so these offer an “off-the-beaten-path” experience.
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is named for its crescent shape. It’s a great place to appreciate the natural beauty of these Caribbean islands, featuring soft white sand and crystal-clear waters surrounded by palm trees. This makes a great day trip, as the beach isn’t easy to find at dusk, and the area is known for biting no-see-ums at night.
Try spot sting rays on the sea floor!
Photo by Roger Darnell on Unsplash
The middle of the beach is more wavy, with a stunning Atlantic coral reef and calmer water near the edge. Watch for marine life, including stingrays, sea turtles, colorful fish called wrasse, and possibly even dolphins. After working up an appetite, dine at Beach Bum Bar & Grill or Smiling Harry’s.
Longbay Beach
Longbay Beach is on the Atlantic side, protected by a reef that makes the waters calm and perfect for snorkeling and swimming. The top half of the beach is covered in trees, making it easy to find a shady spot when the sun is high for families that arrive early enough.
Locals are known to sell homemade wares from kiosks scattered along the beach. While there aren’t any onsite restaurants, nearby Mama Pasta offers Italian and Caribbean cuisine. Nearby, families can visit Devil’s Bridge, a natural rock arch with blowholes that send water shooting into the air.
Best Beaches on the Southern Coast of Antigua
Pigeon Point Beach
Pigeon Point Beach is located near the town of English Harbour on the southern coast of Antigua. The beach is surrounded by seagrape trees and is perfect for spotting yachts in the distance.
It’s the perfect stop to cool off after visiting nearby Nelson’s Dockyard – an 18th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the only running Georgian-era dockyard worldwide! The deep and long channels of the island provided protection from hurricanes and a safe harbor to repair ships. Today, it’s part of the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park!
Sample fresh seafood and local cuisine!
Photo by Charlotte Harrison on Unsplash
The area is known for its seafood, and there are two restaurants near the beach – the more value-friendly Bumpkins Beach Bar & Restaurant on one end and Catherine’s Cafe at the other. My partner and I highly recommend the pina coladas from Catherine’s!
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Galleon Beach
We snorkeled on a few of the mentioned beaches during our week in Antigua, but Galleon Bay was one of our favorites! My oldest son saw a nurse shark (he’s a shark fanatic!) and still hasn’t stopped talking about it. Sea turtles, stingrays, colorful fish, and other marine life can be spotted here, too. And, for more adventurous snorkelers, there’s a sunken ship about 15 feet down in the water!
Spot colorful fish swimming through the reef!
Photo by MARCIN CZERNIAWSKI on Unsplash
Galleon Beach is near Nelson’s Dockyard.
Darkwood Beach
Darkwood Beach sits on the southern coast of Antigua, boasting golden sand and awesome views of the sunset. Families should definitely bring bug spray if they are staying until dusk, though!
The Caribbean Sea has incredible sunsets!
Photo by Nathan Cima on Unsplash
It is one of the more popular beaches, with plenty of beach activities and a waterpark on the left side of the beach. Waves are calm most days for swimming and the abundant marine life and reef make this a great beach for snorkeling, too.
[ctt template=”8″ link=”TcBxr” via=”no” ]Discover the best beaches in Antigua, from secluded coves to family-friendly shores with calm waters and vibrant marine life.[/ctt]
For families that get hungry, there are three restaurants on the beach, including Sheer Rocks, which has fantastic cocktails. On clear days, try to spot the neighboring islands of Guadalupe and Montserrat in the distance.
Carlisle Bay Beach
This crescent-shaped beach is surrounded by a lush tropical rainforest. Carlisle Bay Beach has gorgeous blue water and that hidden vibe that families might be looking for.
There is a nearby shipwreck that families can explore by snorkeling, and a high chance of encountering sea turtles. We stopped here just for that (I am a sea turtle fanatic!) It’s also possible to rent beach chairs and nonmotorized sports equipment for more fun.
Valley Church Beach
Situated on the southwest coast, Valley Church Beach offers opportunities to stick your toes in soft, golden sand and swim in clear waters. Some visitors even spot dolphins here!
Enjoy tropical cocktails with incredible views!
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
It is popular among the cruise crowd, so plan for it to get busy between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. most days. This is a great place to experience Antiguan cuisine, with several restaurants, both on the beach and nearby. Stop by the beach bar for tasty tropical drinks and watch for locals who walk the beach selling their wares. They make great souvenirs.
When You Go
Where to Stay in Antigua
Jolly Beach Resort & Spa is perfect for families looking for accommodations with a kids’ club. Stay in rooms, suites, or private beachfront cottages, and choose from five restaurants when it’s time to eat. Jolly Beach also has two outdoor pools, a gym, and a spa.
Buccaneer Beach Club is a great choice for families with young children since kids ages 3 and under are free! Stay in suites or cottages, with the cottages offering views of the beach. There are also onsite laundry facilities and a grocery delivery service.
St. James’s Club & Villas is an all-inclusive resort set on a private 100-acre peninsula in Antigua. The property features two white sand beaches, multiple pools, four restaurants, various bars, water sports, tennis, a spa, and a supervised Kids Club. Perfect for families, and groups, this popular Caribbean resort is conveniently located near English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard, and Shirley Heights.
Or use this map to see where on the island you’d like to stay!
Traveling to Antigua from Los Angeles and Beyond
Flights from LAX to Antigua land at V.C. Bird International Airport. Most of these flights have at least one layover, the shortest of which will take approximately 11 hours.
Several US cities offer nonstop flights to Antigua, including Miami, New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Atlanta. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are the main airlines operating these direct routes. Other cities, like Dallas, Chicago, and Seattle, may offer direct flights from time to time, especially with airlines like Air Canada and WestJet.
An excellent discount site for rental cars and flights is Booking! We’ve literally saved hundreds using it.
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