Caribbean · North AmericaAntigua and Barbuda
Discover Antigua and Barbuda - twin islands with a beach for every day of the year, a historic naval dockyard, and some of the Caribbean's most pristine coral reefs.
Where Is Antigua and Barbuda?
Antigua and Barbuda is a country in the Caribbean, North America. Its capital is Saint John's.
- Capital Saint John's
- Population 94.2K
- Area 442 km²
Antigua and Barbuda is the country that dares you to find a beach you don't love. With 365 beaches across two main islands - one for every day of the year, as the tourism board loves to remind you - this tiny Caribbean nation has more coastline per square mile than almost anywhere on Earth. Antigua is the larger, livelier island with colorful harbors, a restored 18th-century naval dockyard, and a cricket-obsessed population that punches far above its weight.
Barbuda, the quieter sister island to the north, is a flat coral island with pink-sand beaches so empty they feel like the end of the world. The Frigate Bird Sanctuary in Barbuda's lagoon hosts one of the largest colonies of magnificent frigatebirds on the planet. Together, these islands cover just 440 square kilometers with around 100,000 people, but the warmth of Antiguan hospitality and the sheer beauty of the coastline make it feel like a place ten times its size.
At a glance
Largest cities in Antigua and Barbuda
St. John's
English Harbour
Codrington
Famous people from Antigua and Barbuda
Viv Richards
SportWidely regarded as one of the greatest cricket batsmen of all time, he captained the West Indies and scored over 8,500 Test runs with fearless aggression
Jamaica Kincaid
LiteratureAcclaimed novelist and essayist whose works A Small Place and Annie John explore Caribbean identity, colonialism, and the complexity of island life
Richie Richardson
SportElegant West Indies cricket captain from Antigua who scored over 5,000 Test runs and was known for his trademark wide-brimmed sunhat
Traditional cuisine of Antigua and Barbuda
- Fungee and Pepperpot
- National dish of cornmeal cooked into a polenta-like mound served with a rich stew of salted meat, spinach, okra, and squash
- Ducana
- Sweet dumplings made from grated sweet potato, coconut, and spices, steamed in banana leaves and served with saltfish
- Saltfish and Chop-Up
- Salted cod served with a medley of boiled vegetables including eggplant, okra, and spinach, a hearty Antiguan breakfast
- Conch Water
- Rich seafood soup made from conch, herbs, and dumplings, considered a local delicacy and hangover cure
Nature and landmarks in Antigua and Barbuda
- Nelson's Dockyard National ParkNational Park
- UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing a restored Georgian-era naval base, hiking trails, and panoramic views from Shirley Heights
- Frigate Bird SanctuaryIsland
- One of the largest frigatebird colonies in the world, located in Barbuda's massive lagoon, home to over 5,000 nesting birds
- Half Moon BayCoast
- Crescent-shaped beach on Antigua's Atlantic coast with powdery white sand, turquoise water, and consistent waves for body surfing
- Devil's BridgeLandmark
- Natural limestone arch carved by Atlantic waves on Antigua's east coast, a dramatic geological formation with blowholes that shoot spray skyward
Sports in Antigua and Barbuda
- Cricket
- Antigua has produced some of the greatest cricketers in history, including Viv Richards and Richie Richardson, and hosts matches at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
- Sailing
- Antigua Sailing Week is one of the premier regattas in the Caribbean, attracting hundreds of boats from around the world every April
Did you know?
Antigua claims to have 365 beaches - one for every day of the year - more per square mile than almost any country
Nelson's Dockyard is the only continuously working Georgian dockyard in the world, built in the 18th century for the Royal Navy
Barbuda's pink sand beaches get their color from crushed coral and shells washed ashore by Atlantic waves
The country is small enough that you can drive around the entire island of Antigua in about two hours
Antigua was once the sugar capital of the Caribbean, with over 150 sugar mills dotting the island in the 18th century
Read more about Antigua and Barbuda
Can you find Antigua and Barbuda on a map?
Drop a pin where you think it is and see how close you got. A few rounds and you will place Antigua and Barbuda and its neighbours without a second thought.
