Antigua may be small (108 square miles) but it’s big on beaches -- per local lore, they have 365 of them, “one beach for every day of the year.” So it’s no surprise that much of the island fun focuses on what you can do in, on and around the water. And on its sister isle Barbuda, just 26 miles away, things get even more intimate (62 square miles). This under-populated gem, offering only one luxury hotel, is the perfect place to enjoy the sand and the sea with almost no chance of a crowd.
Wedding Requirements
Couples need to visit the Ministry of Legal Affairs in St. John’s to fill out the registration form and pay the registration fee (passports and proof of marital status are required). Then go to the Registrar General’s office (also in St. John’s) to pay the license fee. This fee waives the waiting period and residency requirements. A marriage certificate is then issued on the spot and valid immediately in Antigua and Barbuda. Ceremonies outside the courthouse will require an additional fee and church ceremonies require approval from a clergyman. For more information, visit antigua-barbuda.org.
What to Do
Beach On Antigua, Dickenson Bay is a good choice if you’re looking for slow currents, lots of water-sport rentals and snack bars. Half Moon Bay offers up stronger waves for windsurfers and a protected nook for snorkelers. Fryes Bay and Rendezvous Bay are ideal for simple sunning and solitude. On Barbuda, it’s all about Pink Beach, the expansive champagne-hued stretch that lines the south side of the island for more than 10 miles. Enjoy superb snorkeling and diving and what is quite possibly the world’s most beautiful sand.
Water Sports Water lovers will never run out of options on Antigua. Its cays and inlets attract lots of marine life, making the snorkeling and diving a must. But you can also try sailing, deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, spelunking and swimming with finned residents at the island’s “Stingray City.” Tip: Some all-inclusive resorts offer a day pass so even if you’re not staying there, you can take advantage of their water toys. If you venture to Barbuda, it’s all about snorkeling and diving. About 200 wrecks lie in it’s waters, with Andes (near Deep Bay) being the most accessible one.
Sightseeing Nelson’s Dockyard is Antigua’s most famous attraction. A former English Harbor occupied by the Royal Navy, it is now a shopping and dining mecca for tourists, as well as the place where visiting A-listers park their yachts. The Dockyard Museum outlines the harbor’s history and nearby Admiral’s Inn offers fresh seafood and harbor views. Visit capital St. John’s for waterfront shopping (for the best experience, avoid days when cruise ships are in town), visit Betty’s Hope to see Antigua’s first sugar plantation and climb Greencastle Hill to see its mysterious megaliths. In Barbuda, bird lovers should check out Frigate Bird Sanctuary and its 400 different species of birds.
Off the Beaten Path
Rainforest and Zip Lining Day trippers should consider the Fig Tree Drive, a muddy route that passes through the rain forest, several quaint villages and eventually Boggy Peak -- the highest elevation on Antigua at 1,319 feet. And if that doesn’t make you feel high, the zip line adventure at Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tours certainly will. — Anita K. Henry
