Antigua
This trip to Antigua was pretty spur of the moment. Every year in late winter in New York, I start itching to escape into some warm weather. Going into this trip, I didn’t know much about Antigua aside from it being a pretty affordable, direct 5-hour flight from JFK.
The condo I rented looked amazing online and was reasonably priced for what it showed, but I didn’t really know what the surrounding area would be like. Luckily, when I arrived and checked in, the condo was beautiful and overlooked both English Harbour and the yacht club, which was home to some unbelievable superyachts.
English Harbour is fairly small but packed with charm, offering everything from higher-end yachtie hangouts to authentic local cuisine, good shopping, and sightseeing. For breakfast, my go-tos were Jackiee’s (affordable, Wi-Fi, solid coffee, American and local plates) and Katie’s Food Stand, where the breakfast sandwich is legendary. For a resort-style experience, I loved breakfast at Admiral’s Inn, located right next door to the only bank/ATM in the harbour.
For lunch or dinner, South Point Restaurant is a must — it just opened and is already considered one of the island’s top spots, sitting right across from the yacht slips with sleek décor and a diverse menu. I had the Antiguan lobster and baby octopus in red sauce, paired with a mango and scotch bonnet rum cocktail — easily my drink of the trip. Another great option is Cloggy’s, perched above the water with a killer prawn curry. For truly local flavors, Grace’s can’t be missed. Her roti was perfectly light and flaky, her seasoned rice with oxtail and chicken thighs was soulful, and her house-made hot sauce might just be the best on the island.
While exploring St. John’s, the capital, make a stop at Roti King — Antigua’s most famous local restaurant. I tried prawn, chicken, and pork roti, but sadly just missed the lunch specials of conch curry. Even though it’s mostly a locals’ spot, the staff couldn’t have been friendlier to tourists.
Antigua is loaded with natural beauty. Rent a car (remember: right-side driver’s seat, driving on the left), and plan days around seeing as much as possible. Half Moon Bay is about 45 minutes from English Harbour — a desolate crescent-shaped beach best admired from the mountain road as you approach. Bring cash for the small roadside restaurants. The water’s rough at the main entry, but if you walk left, you’ll find calm pools tucked by the rocks.
On the other side of the island, my favorite all-around beach was Darkwood Beach, which had a relaxed tourist crowd, super friendly locals, and jet ski rentals perfect for riding out toward Five Islands. The most touristy spot was Jolly Harbour, where the food and bars are fun but the vibe less warm. Still, it’s worth visiting nearby Jacqui O’s for sunset cocktails, live music, and an energetic staff.
If you’re in Antigua on a Sunday, don’t miss Shirley Heights Lookout. Perched high above English Harbour, it’s famous for its BBQ, rum punch, steel drum bands, and epic sunset views.
Nightlife in Antigua is mostly centered in English Harbour, with a mix of tourists, yachties, and crew from around the globe.
All in all, this spur-of-the-moment trip might just take the crown as my favorite Caribbean island so far.
