Discover Antigua and Barbuda’s Ecotourism Hotspots

Antigua and Barbuda’s hundreds of beaches and steady trade winds guarantee a blissful daily dose of sea, sand, and sailing along secluded coves and historic harbors. However, there are myriad additional ways to enjoy these sister islands’ varied and scenic landscapes, both on and off the beach. From venturing inland to hike Antigua’s newest rainforest nature reserve to snorkeling off protected islets and birding on mangrove-rich Barbuda, this guide outlines how to explore the islands’ most popular ecotourism hotspots.

Editor’s note: during COVID-19, there are restrictions on travel. It is essential to check the latest guidance before departure and always follow local health advice.

Hit the Hiking Trails at Wallings Nature Reserve

Antigua’s newest designated protected area, Wallings Nature Reserve, opened in October 2018 and is the first community-managed national park in Antigua and Barbuda. Located in John Hughes Village in the heart of the island’s southwestern green interior, the reserve forms the largest remaining forest tract on Antigua and serves as an essential watershed area, home to a 19th-century water reservoir.

Boasting some of the most incredible views over Antigua and neighboring islands, 268 acres out of a total of 1680 are now accessible through a network of trails of varying difficulty. While hiking, you can spot up to 40 tree species, including the coccoloba pubescens, used in Antigua’s local dish ducana (sweet potato dumpling), as well as various migratory birds.

If you’re moderately fit, opt for the guided, 2.5-hour Signal Hill Hike. This part-flat, part-steep trail leads you to two spectacular vistas: one overlooking Redonda, Montserrat, and Guadeloupe on a clear day, and the other revealing Antigua’s St. John’s Harbour, Mount Obama, along with surrounding isles for a stunning 365-degree view.

The impressive aspect of Wallings Nature Reserve, aside from its breathtaking views, is that it is entirely managed by staff and volunteers from the John Hughes community. Consequently, all income from park entrance fees and guided tours directly supports the community and the park.

Snorkel and Picnic at Great Bird Island

Located just under 2 miles off Antigua’s northeastern coastline, Great Bird Island is one of several wildlife-rich, uninhabited offshore islets that form part of the Northeastern Marine Management Area, the largest marine reserve in Antigua. This small caye covers 20 acres and provides a popular daytime escape, ideal for those seeking pristine white-sand beach and complete solitude (well, except for the seabirds).

Swimming off the beach, you’ll spot a variety of tropical fish around the vibrant surrounding corals. After snorkeling, refuel with drinks and a delightful beachside picnic. Additionally, you can hike for five minutes along a rocky trail to reach a scenic overlook that offers panoramic views over the surrounding isles in this marine reserve area, while keeping an eye out for the non-venomous Antiguan racer snake – one of the rarest snake species in the world. Antigua Nature Tours provides small-sized boat tours to the island, seamlessly combining snorkeling, kayaking, and light hiking.

Explore the Interior with an Island Safari

For a solid glimpse of Antigua’s diverse landscape and stunning coastlines, embark on an open-side safari afternoon with Charles in Charge. This excursion takes you from Antigua’s breezy Atlantic Oceanside beaches and rugged cliffside all the way to the calm, palm-fringed Caribbean coastline, through the island’s lush inland green corridor in the southwest.

Unlike other safari tours, this one avoids voyeuristic visits to schools or villages. Instead, you’ll experience the island as if you were driving your own car, stopping at natural and historical sights for scenic photo ops or sampling local roadside snacks, such as the sweet Antiguan Black Pineapple.

Glimpse the Past at Devil’s Bridge National Park

Perched on the northeastern tip of Antigua and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Devil’s Bridge stands as one of the country’s geological marvels. This natural limestone arch was formed over thousands of years and holds significant historical importance. Local lore suggests that this was the site where enslaved West Africans leapt to their deaths to escape the brutality of slavery on one of the 200 sugar cane plantations established by the British in Antigua.

Visitors can safely stand at a distance to view the spectacle of powerful waves crashing high against the rocks, creating impressive blowholes. Devil’s Bridge offers a chilling sight under the hot and hazy Antiguan sky.

Day Trip to Barbuda

With its 10-mile long beaches and iridescent turquoise waters, Barbuda’s natural attractions recover impressively from the devastation of Hurricane Irma nearly two years ago. This secluded Caribbean island is welcoming visitors again, making it a great time to contribute to Barbuda’s recovering economy.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy on the island for a day trip, including embarking on a guided boat trip with Captain George Jeffrey to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. Here, thousands of frigatebirds nest on red mangrove bushes, representing the largest frigate bird colony in the Caribbean.

Consider going caving at Two Foot Bay and taking in the stunning Wild West scenery of cacti and giant rocks along Barbuda’s prehistoric eastern coastline. Moreover, you can cool off at Princess Diana Beach or River Beach, where you may find blankets of pink shells covering the shoreline during the summer months. Wrap up the day with a pre-ordered fresh catch lunch and house cocktails at the Art Cafe, a Barbudian family-owned bistro located about a mile outside Codrington Village.

To access Barbuda, hop on the Barbuda Express ferry, which runs daily from Antigua to Barbuda. It departs from St. John’s Harbour at 8:30 am Monday through Saturday, except Wednesdays, when it leaves at 6:00 am, and returns from Barbuda at 4:30 pm, weather permitting. The ferry also offers organized island tours that match you with a local tour guide on Barbuda or allows you to create a custom itinerary through Barbudaful.net. Additionally, car rental options are available for those who wish to explore at their leisure.

Article first published in June 2019 and last updated in November 2020.