Antigua and Barbuda

Overview

Antigua and Barbuda is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles, built around two main islands, the livelier, hillier Antigua and the quieter, flatter Barbuda, along with a number of smaller islands and coral reefs that form part of the country. Locals often say Antigua has 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, which says a lot about how central the coastline is to island life. The British colonial past still shows in the architecture and the local passion for cricket, while Caribbean music and food set the everyday rhythm.

English Harbour, a former British naval base, along with Nelson's Dockyard, forms one of the best-preserved Georgian-era harbors in the world and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its 18th-century ship-repair yards and warehouses. The capital, Saint John's, offers colorful colonial buildings and lively markets that give a good sense of daily island life. On Barbuda, the Codrington Lagoon hosts one of the largest frigatebird colonies in the Caribbean.

With clear water and healthy coral reefs, Antigua and Barbuda is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling, with sites like Cades Reef offering colorful fish and shipwrecks to explore. Sailing has deep roots here, and the annual Antigua Sailing Week is one of the best-known regattas in the Caribbean. Local cuisine draws on Caribbean staples, with fungi, a cornmeal side dish, and saltfish as signature dishes, often served alongside fresh tropical fruit.