Antigua & Barbuda: Island Hopping in the Land of 365 Beaches

10 minutes ago
3 min read

Famous for having a unique beach for every single day of the year, Antigua and its quiet sister island Barbuda offer the ultimate tropical getaway. Sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1493, Antigua became a formidable British naval stronghold in the 18th century, leaving behind a rich maritime history wrapped in island charm.

Our Favorite Spots & Stories

Falmouth Harbour & English Harbour

We like to anchor in Falmouth Harbour, where a breezy 10-minute walk brings you into historic English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard—arguably the most beautiful historic harbor in the world. It’s a magical place that feels a bit like stepping into standard old England, except with flawless sunshine, warm breezes, and zero rain!

For nightlife and a fantastic dinner, we highly recommend Abracadabra, a legendary spot run by lovely Italians where Larry and I once shared a dinner sitting right next to Giorgio Armani himself.

And on Sunday evenings, no trip here is complete without heading up to Shirley Heights. High above the harbors, the island hosts its famous sunset party filled with sizzling Caribbean BBQ, flowing rum punch, live steel pan drums, and dancing as the sun dips into the ocean.

When night falls, Falmouth Harbour turns into a glowing spectacle as illuminated mega yachts light up the dark Caribbean water. Looking out at this fleet of floating palaces right from the deck of The Dove is pure magic

Green Island to Barbuda & The Frigate Bird Colony

Green Island is a completely remote, untouched bay with zero buildings and water so calm you’d swear you’re floating on a mirror-like lake.

When we hoist the sails toward Barbuda, it’s usually an exhilarating sail where we often hook fresh fish along the way. Stepping onto Barbuda feels like travelling back in time: a flat, pristine paradise with miles of pink-sand beaches where wild donkeys roam free.

While here, we’ll arrange for a local guide to take you by boat deep into the Codrington Lagoon to visit the massive Frigatebird Sanctuary. Watching thousands of these spectacular birds nesting up close in the mangroves is an absolutely incredible experience you'll never forget!

Jolly Harbour and Five Islands

Jolly Harbour greets us with striking turquoise waters and vibrant shore life. It's our favorite provisioning stop—where else in the tropics can you stock up on authentic English tea directly from Waitrose? (Because even in 30°C heat, proper tea is an absolute necessity aboard!)

Over at Five Islands, you’ll find striking turquoise water framed by a stretch of beautiful, soft-sand beaches.

Jolly Harbour

And at Long Island, surrounded by a cluster of tiny, empty islets, we’ll take you out in the dinghy to your very own secret beach for the afternoon. It's so quiet and peaceful that the only locals you'll meet are the hermit crabs!

The Passage to Guadeloupe

When we leave Antigua behind, the 7-to-8-hour open-water passage to Guadeloupe is one of our absolute favorite sails. It’s usually a smooth beam reach where Larry whips up a fresh, delicious lunch mid-journey while we cross the blue passage. You’ll wake up anchored in Deshaies—the iconic bay where Death in Paradise is filmed. Shore side, you can explore the famous police station from the show before settling into a seaside café for authentic French coffee, warm buttery croissants, and pains au chocolat.

Whether you want to spot nesting frigatebirds in hidden lagoons, sip Waitrose tea on deck, or pretend you own your very own desert island, Larry and I would love to share our favorite Caribbean haunts with you. Step aboard The Dove, and let’s turn these islands into your next great story.