Beaches In Antigua There are 365 beaches on Antigua in the Leeward Islands, one for each day of the year. The great majority rest inside the calm, protected waters of the island's Caribbean (Lesser Antilles) side. All are open to the public, and so the challenge posed to a visitor is not how to gain access to the best of them but simply how to locate the beach that suits one's taste. Exploring on your own is the best way to do this, although it is wise to bring a companion along to particularly isolated locations. Antiguans are understandably reluctant to divulge their own favorites, so here are a number of good starters. Be sure to acquire specific directions before you go. With all the sandy nooks available on Antigua, it's a great place to find a beach to call your own - at least for the day. Here are six sure-fire beaches that won't be overrun by cruise-shippers and t-shirt sellers, and detailed directions on how to find them. Although the tourist board's claim of 365 beaches ("one for every day of the year") may be unprovable, if not apocryphal, there should be a beach to suit almost every taste.
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Sandals Grande Antigua Beach Resort
Sandals Grande Antigua takes pride of place with its prime location, directly on the most famed beach of all, Dickenson Bay. Silky white sand, incredibly clear turquoise water and never-ending golden sunshine are just a part of the immense charm and natural beauty that has earned this magical place the titles of "Most Romantic Resort", "World's Leading Honeymoon Resort" and the ultra-prestigious Five Star Diamond Award. |
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Apple Vacations Online Quotes & Availability Northwest Coast:
Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, located along the island's developed northwestern coast, are the place to go for those who want the fully-loaded resort beach experience. Dickenson Bay , directly north of St. John's, is one of the island's finest beaches, with its wide strip of powder-soft sand and blissfully calm turquoise waters. This safe beach attracts families with small children. Refreshments are available at the hotel, or mosey over to the casual bars and restaurants nearby. On the north side of Dickenson Bay, you'll find more secluded beaches and some ideal snorkeling areas along the fan-shaped northern crown of Antigua. For a fee, locals will sometimes take beachcombers to one of the uninhabited offshore islets, such as Prickly Pear Island, surrounded by beautiful coral gardens. One of the island's best snorkeling spots is Paradise Reef, a 1.5km-long (1-mile) coral garden of stunning beauty north of Dickenson Bay. The beaches most convenient to St. John's are Fort James, a locally-popular public beach, and Deep Bay. Galley Bay attracts surfers during the winter months and a joggers during the evening. The series of four crescent beaches at Hawksbill are also highly regarded, one of which is nudist-au natural. Southwest and South Coast:
The beaches of the hilly southwest corner of Antigua are generally less developed than those around St. John's further north. On the road that winds along this coast are Fryes Bay, Darkwood Beach, and the beaches around Johnsons Point. Rendezvous Bay and especially Doigs Beach, both located on the central southern coast at Rendezvous Bay, are especially quiet beaches worth the rough travel necessary to reach them. Pigeon Point, near English Harbour Town, is a convenient balm after a day at Nelson's Dockyard. East Coast:
On the southeast corner of the island is Half Moon Bay, now a National Park and a good choice for a family outing. Long Bay, on the easternmost point of the island, is another good choice for families, as it is completely protected by its reef. Adventure Antigua - Adventure Antigua - Snorkelling tours exploring the reef, wildlife, and deserted islands of Antigua and Barbuda |
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