Honeymoon in Antigua

Antigua is the larger of the two main islands that make up Antigua and Barbuda. It is a beautiful getaway and figures high as a favorite honeymoon destination not only for its pristine beaches but also for its colorful island culture.

Scenic Beaches

Antigua is home to some of the most spectacular stretches of sea and sand. Miles of white sand beaches and clear turquoise sea stretch as far as the eye can see –- usually without another soul in sight. One of the most popular beaches here is Dickenson Bay, a mile of west-facing golden sand on which hotels stand shoulder to shoulder. It is great for an evening of entertainment with its sports and beach bars and well frequented by revellers. However if you are looking for a quieter beach option where you can spend some solitary romantic time with your brand new spouse, head to the extension of Dickenson Bay to the south which is officially called Runaway Bay and boasts of a lovely stretch of sand to lounge or walk on. Three wonderful stretches of sand – Frye’s Bay, Darkwood Beach and Crab Hill Bay/Johnson’s Point – can be found on the south-west corner of the island. They are a favorite among honeymooners since they are rather quiet and boast of stunningly white sand and superb sunset views. For the same reason these beaches are popular with cruise ship passengers, who sometimes turn up on excursions. If you are keen to catch a romantic sunset at any of these beaches, go late in the afternoon by which time the cruise passengers will normally be back on board their ship. Jolly Beach is a magnificent mile-long stretch of while sand, backed with palms, set in a huge bay with jade water, and enclosed by massive headlands. Once you are done sunbathing and swimming with your beloved, look for concessionaires on the beach who can rent you a kayak or a pedalo. There is also a dive shop, Jolly Dive, which has daily scuba trips. Half Moon Bay is a lovely curve of light pink and white sand on the east coast of the island. And though it is popular with the locals on weekends and Island tours occasionally visit here, most of the time it is deserted and you can have the place to yourselves.

Adventures galore

Apart from sun-bathing and swimming, you and your partner can enjoy the beautiful waters of Antigua in many other ways - dinghies, cats, cruisers can all be hired from many places around the island to go sailing. Also there are plenty of coves and natural harbors to explore. One of the best ways to enjoy the clear calm sea on an Antigua honeymoon is by going on a catamaran cruise. Wadadli Cats offers trips around the island, to Bird Island, and to Cades Reef, with expeditions that include snorkeling, swimming on some outstanding beaches, an alfresco West Indian buffet lunch, and an open bar. There are many reefs off the eastern coastline and as a result, there is great variety of fish to see. Snorkeling is also pretty good here, as the water is very clear, and it is quite economical too. If you and your partner are really interested in marine wildlife, a must-visit is Stingray City Antigua, where you both can take a short boat ride to an area chockfull of the friendly creatures, who enjoy being fed and sliding against their two-legged guests. Bird lovers on the other hand can head for the Barbuda Frigate Bird Sanctuary. Here as you cruise around the dense mangrove forests that are home to four species of frigate birds, you may be able to spot some of these large fascinating birds that are best-known for the huge red pouch males acquire during mating season. But even non-bird lovers will find it pleasant to drift along the waves with a guide, enjoying the lapping of the waves and the warm sunshine. If you are game for a short trip to Barbuda, a unique experience could be exploring the island’s ancient caves. Long before the Europeans arrived in the Caribbean, the Arawak Indians lived on Barbuda, making their homes inside a complex maze of caves. Today, visitors on an Antigua honeymoon can explore these fascinating rock formations after climbing a short but extremely steep hill. Inside these low-ceilinged, beautiful caves, you can come upon treasures like two primitive faces carved in stone and a cactus garden.

Historical and cultural attractions

Saint John's is the capital of Antigua and Barbuda and the only city on the island of Antigua. A popular attraction here is Nelson's Dockyard – a Historic English dockyard in English Harbor. In the mid-1700s, Nelsons Dockyard was a bustling center for maintaining British ships. But even couples on an Antigua honeymoon who are not history buffs will enjoy strolling around the grounds of what is now a national park, admiring the buildings and the attractive landscaping. Apart from The Admirals Inn which is now an intimate hotel, other buildings include a museum, a restaurant, and an art gallery, all housed in charming buildings that are guaranteed to take visitors back in time. If you can plan your honeymoon from late July to early August, you will be able to enjoy the Carnival - the islands main festival which is hosted at the Recreation Ground in St John’s. For a truly traditional event, it is difficult to beat the annual National Warri Festival held at its Cultural Center. Like mancala, warri is a "pit and pebble" game developed in ancient Africa and brought to the new world by African slaves in the 19th century. Again for more than 40 years Antigua has been holding its annual regatta as the Sailing Week. Highlights of the weeklong event include races around the island, in Antigua's bays and harbors, and to the neighboring island of Guadeloupe. At any time of the year however you can head for Shirley Heights Lookout, an old British fort and signal station near Falmouth. On Sunday evenings for a small entry fee here you can party to Antiguan music and see the spectacular sunset over English Harbor, Even if you can't attend the barbeque, Shirley Heights Lookout boasts one of Antigua's best views. It is a great place to mingle with both locals and other visitors to the island, making it a must on every Antigua honeymoon.

Finally No Antigua honeymoon can be complete without sampling its delicious local fare. Sea food is understandably very popular here and the national dish is called Fungi - pronounced Foun-gee - and Saltfish. There is also a nice variety of tropical fruits that grow on the island. Besides the local dishes almost every major type of cuisine like Italian, Mexican, American, British, and Jamaican can be found on the island.

Transport and Accommodation

VC Bird International is situated on the outskirts of St John's and to the north of the island. It has regular flights from UK and America, along with smaller planes from elsewhere in the region. Cars may be hired from numerous places around the island. For detailed travel options, it is best to talk to your hotel. However, there is a 30 mph speed limit on the island, so driving can be a tad tedious. Local buses are said to be unpredictable but they are certainly cheap. All bus services start at St John’s, in the well-ordered bus station on Market Street. For a less crowded travel option, you can hire a taxi which though can be expensive compared to local buses.