Caribbean Antigua and Barbuda

In the heart of the Caribbean, the tropical sister islands of Antigua and Barbuda contrast each other while having lots in common. Larger and better known, Antigua is a lively island of around 80,000 people, while Barbuda has just 1,300. Both are low lying, but Antigua rises to 402m at its highest point, Boggy Peak in the south-west, whereas Barbuda’s limestone highlands rise to a mere 38m. Both offer lovely rugged scenery and gorgeous beaches (one on Barbuda is at least 19km long).

Antigua was born out of the sea by a volcano about 30 million years ago, making it a young island in geological time. When global sea levels rose dramatically around 10,000BC, Barbuda became separated from Antigua by about 45km.

Today parts of Barbuda are geologically flooded, forming interesting lagoons that provide a home to the world’s largest breeding and nesting colony of frigate birds. Unthreatened by development, this reef-fringed island has a huge diversity of native habitats and indeed may be one of the best kept ecological secrets in the West Indies.

Antigua and Barbuda also have a fantastic array of award-winning accommodation including world-class resorts, boutique spa hotels, luxury villas, historic inns, intimate guest houses and contemporary apartments – something for everyone!

When to visit

Mid-December to April is Antigua and Barbuda’s peak season thanks to the pleasant temperatures and low rainfall, but both are year-round destinations: hot and humid yet refreshingly cooled by the gentle trade winds that sweep the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles chain.