Where to Go Next: Antigua and Barbuda

Few islands in the Caribbean have blended the laid-back atmosphere of the region with elegant accommodations as seamlessly as Antigua and Barbuda. Cocobay Resort astonishes guests with its classically Caribbean aesthetic and location. Rustic, pastel cottages with lavish interiors dot a breezy hill overlooking the sea, while infinity pools and robust spa facilities headline a broad list of amenities. For those who value privacy as much as luxury, the Barbuda Belle Boutique Hotel presents an opportunity for unrivalled tranquility. Accessible only by boat, this solar-powered collection of wooden bungalows is nestled between the ivory, powder sand beaches that Barbuda is so beloved for.

With 95km of pristine shoreline and over 365 beaches (one for each day of the year, as Antiguans proudly note), Antigua lends itself perfectly to an impressive array of aquatic expeditions. Start your adventure into Antigua’s reef-ringed waters by embarking on either a self-guided or group snorkelling tour of the captivating Cades reef, flush with sealife like turtles, parrotfish, and eels. Once you’ve had your fill of blissful tanning on any of the white-sand beaches, opt for a relaxed and luxurious Catamaran cruise via Tropical Adventures. Take in sights like Devil’s Bridge and Jumby Bay from the comfort of your boat as you nurse a Wadadli, the country’s tasty domestic beer.

Though renowned for its fresh seafood and familiar Caribbean staples like Johnnycakes and grilled lobster, Antigua and Barbuda is also one of the Caribbean’s culinary hotspots for foodies seeking innovative, inspired cuisine with a touch of international influence. Sheer Rocks at Cocobay serves up a tantalizing Mediterranean-style tasting menu complete with lamb shank, beetroot tartare, and seared yellowfin tuna courtesy of award-winning Chef-de-Cuisine Simon Christey-French. Local favourite Uncle Roddy’s is among the best places on Barbuda to enjoy freshly caught Spiny Lobster while taking in the Elysian ocean views from the adjoining private beach. 

The “barefoot on the beach” destination wedding concept remains ever eminent on the wishlists of sweethearts everywhere. For its all-inclusive luxury offering of restorative spa treatments, magnificently appointed villas, and panoramic views of lush hillside and cerulean waves, Antigua’s Hermitage Bay Hotel should be top-of-mind for the soon-to-be-wed. The property will only host a single wedding per week, ensuring all hands are on deck when it comes to realizing your marital daydreams. For memorable honeymoon experiences, take a day trip to Barbuda’s scintillating Palm Beach, where blue waves lap playfully at the sumptuous soft pink powder sand, or the romantic and remote Half Moon Bay, which would not look out of place on the cover of a steamy romance novel.

Rich in endemic wildlife, Antigua and Barbuda is an ideal destination for admirers of both fins and feathers. Antigua’s aptly named Stingray City, situated in the sandy shallows just north of Seatons Village, is the perfect locale to swim with and feed exceptionally calm and gentle stingrays… and maybe even catch a glimpse of majestic migrating whales. On Barbuda, Codrington Lagoon is home to the largest colony of the Magnificent Frigatebird in the Caribbean, drawing ecotourists and ornithologists from around the globe eager to take in the pomp and circumstance of their boisterous, red-throated mating display.