Antigua Highlights
365 beaches, sailing paradise and Caribbean colonial history
Antigua is the Caribbean at its most beautiful — 365 beaches of pink and white sand, the UNESCO-listed Georgian harbour of English Harbour, world-class sailing, and a warm, welcoming island culture that makes it one of the most beloved destinations in the West Indies.
Top Antigua Highlights to Visit
Handpicked destinations for the ultimate antigua highlights experience
Half Moon Bay
One of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches
Half Moon Bay is widely regarded as one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean — a perfect horseshoe of pale pink sand on Antigua's Atlantic coast, backed by sea grape trees and lapped by turquoise water. Unlike the calm Caribbean beaches on the west coast, Half Moon Bay faces the Atlantic, giving it gentle surf and a wilder, more dramatic character. It is one of Antigua's few undeveloped beaches, with no beach clubs or vendors — just pure natural beauty.
Highlights
- A perfect horseshoe of pink-tinged sand
- Atlantic-facing — gentle surf and dramatic scenery
- Completely undeveloped — no vendors or beach clubs
- One of the Caribbean's most photographed beaches
- Excellent for swimming and bodyboarding
Things to Do
- Swim in the turquoise Atlantic waters
- Bodyboard in the gentle surf
- Picnic under the sea grape trees
- Photograph the horseshoe bay from the headland
- Combine with a visit to Nelson's Dockyard (30 minutes away)
Practical Info
Best Time to Visit
December–April (dry season)
Recommended Duration
Half day to full day
Typical Cost
Free; hire a car to reach it (30 minutes from St. John's)
Travel Tips
- ·Hire a car — there is no public transport to Half Moon Bay
- ·Bring your own food and water — no vendors on the beach
- ·The Atlantic side can have stronger currents — swim with care
- ·Visit on a weekday for the most peaceful experience
Nearby Attractions
Dickenson Bay
Antigua's most popular beach — calm Caribbean waters and beach clubs
Dickenson Bay is Antigua's most famous and lively beach — a long stretch of white sand on the calm Caribbean coast, lined with beach clubs, water sports operators, and restaurants. The water is flat, warm, and brilliantly clear, making it ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and watersports. It is the closest beach to the airport and the most accessible on the island, making it the natural base for most visitors.
Highlights
- Long stretch of white Caribbean sand
- Calm, flat water — ideal for swimming and watersports
- Beach clubs, restaurants, and bars along the shore
- Water sports — jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking
- Close to St. John's and the airport
Things to Do
- Swim and snorkel in the calm Caribbean water
- Try jet skiing or parasailing
- Lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants
- Take a catamaran day trip from the beach
- Watch the sunset from a beach bar
Practical Info
Best Time to Visit
December–April
Recommended Duration
Half day to full day
Typical Cost
Free beach access; beach club sunbeds from US$10
Travel Tips
- ·The most accessible beach from St. John's — 10 minutes by taxi
- ·Busy in peak season — arrive early for a good spot
- ·Several all-inclusive resorts line the beach
- ·Combine with a visit to St. John's market in the morning
Nearby Attractions
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