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365, most of them on Antigua's mainland, plus the ones of Barbuda and the small islands on Antigua's East Coast: You will never be able to see them all, unless you spend your next ten vacations in the country. Of course, you are most welcome to do so!
If you are the romantic type, or maybe a couple of honeymooner seeking solitude you will find hundreds of spots where you can be perfectly - or nearly - alone. With very few exceptions, Antigua's beaches are never crowded. But whether you look for a lively beach where you can practice all kind of activities, or you prefer to search for a secluded bay: everywhere, you are sure to find powdery sand and crystal clear waters. Like everywhere in the Caribbean, the most protected beaches are on the Western coast, facing the Caribbean Sea.

The Eastern Coast, facing the Atlantic, is slightly windier, with rolling surf that delights windsurfers and sailors. On the Eastern shores, many beaches are carved into dramatic rock formations surrounding deep blue bays fringed by coral reefs. On the Western Coast, you will enjoy shallow and tranquil waters, perfect for the whole family including children. The most frequented beach is at Dickenson Bay, since it offers lots of hotels, beach bars, beach shops and water sports. This is the ideal place to lime in the sun, sip a cocktail and just float at the surface of azure and turquoise waters.

Since there is less surf on the Caribbean side, the underwater visibility is usually better than on the Atlantic side; a good thing to know if you are a passionate snorkeler and lover of marine life. But of course, there are always exceptions, and some reef protected sites on the Windward side do also offer superb snorkeling.



All the beaches in Antigua and Barbuda are free to the public. In some places, there are exclusive hotels along the beach, and you may need a boat to get there, unless the hotel issues day passes. The best thing to do is to grab a hotel guide and call, if you like to visit a beach along the hotel property.

Now if you are still not sure that you will find your dream beach in Antigua, check "Caribbean Travel and Life": The famous publication recently put Antigua & Barbuda in the second place among the top eight beaches in the Caribbean!