Best Beaches in Antigua: You Caribbean Paradise Guide

Do you dream of that perfect Caribbean escape? Picture this: golden sand between your toes, crystal-clear turquoise water stretching to the horizon, and you sipping a perfectly crafted rum punch or a beer in our case on an undisturbed beach with absolutely zero thoughts of work or that never-ending to-do list waiting at home. Well, Antigua might not check every single box on your perfect Caribbean fantasy, but trust me—it comes pretty darn close.

Antigua has earned a permanent spot on our list of favorite Caribbean islands, and for good reason. This twin-island nation (don't forget little sister Barbuda!) offers the perfect trifecta: stunning beaches, incredible food, and fascinating historical sites. Whether you're the type who wants to pack every minute with adventure or someone who dreams of doing absolutely nothing but relaxing in the sand, Antigua delivers.

## The Famous 365 Beach Promise

Here's a fun fact that never gets old: Antigua boasts 365 beaches—one for every day of the year (sorry, leap year folks, you're out of luck!). Now, we definitely haven't conquered all of them ( it's a goal ), but we've certainly given some of the best a proper test drive.

## St. John's: Capital Charm Meets Beach Bliss

Many travelers touch down in St. John's, the colorful capital nestled in the northwest corner of the island. This bustling port city is where massive cruise ships dock and history comes alive in the rainbow-colored colonial buildings lining the streets. The famous Sandals resort calls this area home, along with several other properties that put you within easy striking distance of both urban exploration and beach time.

St. John's isn't just a pretty face either—it's home to some fascinating history, including the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda housed in the old colonial courthouse, and the iconic St. John's Cathedral with its distinctive twin towers that have weathered more hurricanes than you can count.

## Southern Comfort and Southeast Perfection

The southern part of the island draws beach lovers to popular stretches of sand, but for us? We always seem to gravitate toward the southeast corner like moths to a flame. This area strikes that perfect balance between "leave us alone, we want to enjoy paradise in peace" and "okay, we're ready to socialize now."

The southeast serves up a string of beautiful beaches with refreshingly limited crowds—except for those few hours between late morning and early afternoon when some become popular destinations for cruise ship day-trippers. But even then, there's always room to spread out.

Our southeast favorites include Ffryes, Little Ffryes (also known as Coco Beach), Darkwood Beach, and Valley Church Beach. Here's the best part: most of these beauties are walkable to each other if you're feeling adventurous and don't mind a little path exploration. If you want to expand your beach-hopping options, take a short drive up the road to Jolly Harbour and discover Jolly Beach—a wide stretch of sand that's perfect for long beach walks. And the harbour itself is a town with in a town with restaurants, shops and right next to the local supermarket.

## Hidden Gems and Snorkel Spots

For those who like to mix a little adventure with their beach time, we always recommend Galleon Bay. This spot is known for its snorkeling complete with an actual shipwreck to explore (channel you inner pirate ☠️). Somedays the snorkeling is better than other,now that all depends on if the fish feel like coming out that day .Plus, it's conveniently close to some of the island's best sunset viewing spots like Shirley Heights, where you can catch live local music while enjoying authentic Antiguan cuisine.

## The Bottom Line

Antigua isn't just another pretty Caribbean face—it's an island that actually delivers on its promises. With a fascinating blend of British colonial history, vibrant local culture, and enough pristine beaches to keep you busy for almost an entire year, it's no wonder we keep coming back.

We've already created detailed video reviews for six of these incredible beaches, plus our comprehensive "Best of Antigua" video guide (available in both long-form and short versions) on YouTube. These give you all the insider details you need to make the most of this Caribbean paradise.

Ready to start planning your Antigua adventure? Each beach has its own personality and perfect time to visit—dive into our video collection to see exactly what makes each spot special!