17 Best things to do in Antigua and Barbuda

The majority of visitors go to Antigua. Many people arrive at the port for cruise ships in St. John’s, the vibrant capital, where shopping, museums, and historic structures are the main draws. Animal lovers may swim with friendly stingrays, and the island preserves its past as a vital naval harbor.

Peaceful Barbuda has less than two percent of the islands’ combined population. Seclusion seekers and nature lovers cherish the tranquility, while birders love the fabled frigate sanctuary.

Water sports abound on both islands; diving, swimming, fishing, sailing, and windsurfing are all popular things to do, and golfers will find a couple of scenic courses in Antigua.

Plan your perfect Caribbean getaway with our list of the top 17 best things to do in Antigua and Barbuda.

Best things to do in Antigua and Barbuda

1 Antigua’s History Museum

The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda covers the history and culture of the two-island country in a beautiful stone structure that formerly served as the courtroom in the nation’s capital, St. John.

Along with background information on the history of slavery and life on a sugar plantation, you’ll see a wide variety of indigenous artifacts, such as pottery and basketry specimens.

You’ll also get to see a statue of legendary local batsman Sir Viv Richards in the middle of his swing, it will be difficult to ignore how important cricket is to the country’s identity when visiting this place. A visit to this country museum will inspire you to the historical past of this great Caribbean nation.

2 Explore Nelson Dockyard

Visit Nelson Dockyard is one of the best things to do in Antigua and Barbuda. For more than 250 years, ships of all sizes and shapes have floated into the waterways of Nelson’s Dockyard, from the antiquated cannon-topped frigates of the colonial British forces in the 1700s to the gleaming white yachts that billow down from Freeman’s Bay today.

The undisputed historical gem of Antigua and Barbuda as a whole, the site is now a listed heritage attraction.

Visitors can explore the historic Boat House and Sail Loft remains, view the dilapidated navy capstans that line the shore, and see a massive anchor that was left behind by the large English naval battleships that once came this way.

3 Dickenson Bay

Dickenson Bay is a popular vacation spot with calm waters and white sand beaches, is located close to Cedar Grove in Antigua.

The nighttime at this bay is very dynamic, and guests can hop from one beachside restaurant and beach bar to another with a great time on the beachfront. Also, guests can cool themselves in the crystal-clear water during the day and take in the lush environment around them.

The Bay has a variety whole lots of activities that visitors can venture on and keep themselves busy with vibrant Antigua and Barbuda cuisine.

4 Visit Devil’s Bridge

A wonderful aspect of visiting Devil’s Bridge is getting there. The seaside site is one of Antigua’s five national parks, and it may be reached through a mile-long, potholed road.

The bridge is a naturally occurring arch that has developed over millennia in the pitted limestone rock. The Atlantic’s pounding surf crashes below, occasionally surging up through blowholes to shower anyone standing too close.

There are two explanations for the name: first, that the devil resides beneath the bridge; and, second, African slaves used to jump into the lake nearby in an effort to escape.

5 Stingray City, Antigua

Stingray City is a shallow pool with a sandy bottom amid a tropical reef, where hundreds of friendly southern stingrays glide through the crystal-clear waters waiting to be fed by visitors. The location is a five-minute speedboat ride off the island’s east coast.

You can stand, swim, or snorkel with them, depending on your comfort level. After your experience, you can explore the nearby coral reefs. One of the most exciting parts of this thrilling trip is feeling their satiny, smooth bodies brush against your skin.

This is no doubt one of the best things to do in Antigua and Barbuda.

6 17 Mile Beach, Barbuda

17 Mile Beach is a stunning stretch of pink-tinged sand that separates the Barbuda lagoon from the Caribbean Sea and impresses even the most jaded of beach connoisseurs.

Walking along this exquisite shoreline is one of the most well-liked activities on Barbuda. The sand here is soft as flour, and its remote location means you can walk for miles and not see another soul.

The beach is reachable either by boat or, from a birds-eye perspective, via helicopter. Tours often include a delicious lunch on the beach.

Additionally, you can combine a trip here with a stop at a frigate bird colony close by. These two destinations are well-liked weekend getaways in Antigua.

7 Falmouth Harbour

Falmouth Harbour is a semi-circle natural harbor on Antigua’s south coast that is close to English Harbour. Many superyachts can be rented by guests for some fun in the sun in the harbor.

Those who are there on their own boats or intend to remain a while can take advantage of the harbor’s amenities, including dockage, container storage, and concierge services, or they can stay in the neighboring accommodation.

A day trip to the site allows visitors to soak in the breathtaking scenery, see the magnificent vessels, and eat in one of the many restaurants and cafes in the area.

8 Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, Antigua

Nelson’s Dockyard National Park is a popular destination for tourists located in English Harbour Antigua. Its primary claim to fame is that it is still the only continually running Georgian dockyard in the world; it is where the former British Naval Dockyard for Antigua from the 18th century now stands and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2016.

The Dockyard Museum, housed in the ancient Admiral’s House, is where you can find out more during your tour about the rich history of the dockyard.

However, you can also get a feel for the atmosphere by exploring all the wonderfully renovated stone warehouses, which stand in stark contrast to the opulent superyachts in the harbor. The majority of these historic structures are now used as hotels, restaurants, stores, and art galleries.

9 Island-hopping

If you’re lost in most of the best things to do in Antigua and Barbuda, you can decide to venture into island-hopping. Having more than 51 islands located off Antigua, you could and should take a boat excursion from the mainland and explore some of these fascinating places.

Whether you wish to discover the best beach or learn more about the ecology of the island, it’s simple to locate a tour operator who can give you your perfect day out.

Adventure Antigua offers a variety of activities for visitors to choose from, including catamaran cruises, snorkeling excursions, and trips to Great Bird Island to observe the island’s wildlife.

10 Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour

There is no other better way to explore the beautiful rainforest of Antigua than the Zipline canopy tour. The Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour includes a tree house, two suspension bridges, and an optional vertical drop in addition to six zip lines that vary in length and location.

The Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour company offers a combination tour that includes kayaking or a trip to Stingray City, as well as hours of ziplines and obstacle courses.

The zipline tours are fun and safe for visitors of all ages, with their youngest visitor being 4 years old and their oldest being 99. The aerial zips give visitors an eagle-eye view of the stunning flora and fauna in Antigua’s rainforest.

11 Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary

Looking for a place that’ll emancipate visitors of all ages, then it has to be Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary. The Donkey Sanctuary, run by the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, is home to around 150 at-risk donkeys and welcomes new occupants on a regular basis.

Visitors can spend the day grooming, stroking, playing feeding them, and taking pictures with the donkeys. Visitors can contribute to the refuge or buy t-shirts and other items to help care for all the animals, especially for one particular donkey, Stevie who is blind and has grown to become a visitor favorite.

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12 Fig Tree Drive, Antigua

Fig Tree Drive is the rainforest where the most fertile farmlands and fishing villages land in Antigua. You’ll drive by the ruins of a sugar plantation, a pineapple farm, and coconut palm trees in addition to seeing mango and breadfruit trees.

Keep an eye out for fruit stalls along the roads offering freshly harvested fruit, especially the incredibly delicious pineapples.

If you’re looking for something more active, stop by Antigua Rainforest Zipline Tours for a thrilling canopy tour. Along the route, the Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery exhibits vivid indigenous artwork.

13 Visit Zemi Art Gallery

Zemi is a warm and inviting tiny gallery located on Redcliffe Quay in St. John’s, amid brick-built homes.

It’s the ideal spot to visit to get a sense of the artistic nature of the Antigua islanders because it displays a potpourri of vibrant Caribbean paintings, crafts, trinkets, and masterpieces.

In addition to painted timber bowls (made from the local calabash tree) and sculptures that feature whelk shell inlays, kaleidoscopic patterning, or other discovered objects right from the sands, the diverse pieces portray the coves and beaches that border the tropical shorelines in this region.

14 Barbuda Caves

Barbuda is an island composed of limestone and because of this is filled with many caves that are fun to explore. A few caves on the island have drawn attention and gained popularity over time among visitors.

Some of these are Darby Dave, an impressive sinkhole that is over 300 feet wide and over 70 feet deep, and Two Foot Bay, where tourists may witness enormous iguanas, tropical birds, crabs, and bats.

Another well-known location is The Dark Cave, which originally served as a water source for Amerindian residents and is now home to blind shrimp, a rare species of amphipod.

15 Mount Obama

Mount Obama is another thrilling place to go, located in Antigua. Also referred to as Boggy Peak. Named after former US President Barack Obama. The peak is the highest point of the Shekerley Mountain range found on the southwest point of Antigua.

With a height of more than 1,300 feet, Mount Obama is a well-liked tourist destination. The location is ideal for hiking all year round giving visitors a peak of an amazingly breathtaking view of the surrounding neighborhood.  It is a modest climb that beginners may become adapted to, and it can take anything from one to three hours.

16 Antigua Buggys

Antigua Buggys is among the list of early companies that provide Buggy ride adventures. The guided four-wheel drive tour is one of the greatest ways to see Antigua as it enables tourists to explore the island in their very own 4×4 off-road buggy while traveling with a lively group of international tourists.

The self-guided trip makes numerous stops at significant locations, allowing visitors to see the island’s back roads and sand beaches up close.

The amazing 4-hour tour includes numerous possibilities for swimming and snorkeling along the route and visits the Wallings Dam and Forest, the historic Fort George, and the picturesque West Coast Village. Water, snacks, and a delectable lunch prepared in the Caribbean are all included in the tour.

17 Visit the Pillars of Hercules

The Pillars of Hercules loop is a really beautiful hike with lots of fruit trees and breathtaking scenery. You will have the opportunity to tour past tomb markers, cisterns, and even the guard house from the early seventeen hundreds (the 1700s) since we were only just admitted into UNESCO.

They tower over certain well-liked sailing and snorkeling locations, appearing chiseled and sculpted with their many alcoves and crevices.

One of the greatest times to visit them is in the evening when the sun sets in the west and leaves the stone with a deep yellow light.

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