Information
City: North CoastCountry: Antigua and Barbuda
Continent: North America
North Coast, Antigua and Barbuda, North America
Overview
On Antigua’s north coast, soft white sand meets turquoise water, and the whole place hums with a quiet, easy charm.The North Coast may be less built-up than other parts of the island, but it’s a peaceful retreat with quiet coves, plush resorts, and winding trails that lead you into Antigua’s wild, salt-scented beauty.The North Coast lies just above St. John’s, running from the white sands of Runaway Bay all the way to the island’s eastern tip.The landscape is dotted with white-sand beaches, tiny islands just off the coast, and low, sun-baked hills.Coral reefs encircle the bay, breaking the waves until the water lies smooth and clear-perfect for slipping on a mask and spotting bright fish below.Key Beaches Runaway Bay offers a quiet stretch of sand, ideal for swimming or basking in the warm afternoon sun.It’s a calmer spot than busy Dickenson Bay, with the sound of waves rolling gently onto the shore.Hodges Bay Beach has a calm, upscale feel, drawing in visitors from the nearby resorts who stroll its soft, pale sand.The water lies still, perfect for gliding on a paddleboard or slipping a kayak through its glassy surface.Jabberwock Beach stretches wide under a steady breeze, drawing windsurfers and kiteboarders who skim across its glittering blue water.Perfect for kicking up sand in a lively game on the beach or strolling past tide pools with the salt air in your hair.Prickly Pear Island sits just off the north coast, a quiet strip of sand and scrub you can reach only by boat.You’ll find crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling and a quiet stretch of sand all to yourself.Snorkeling and diving here reveal coral reefs bursting with color and darting fish, a true paradise for anyone who loves the water.Offshore gems like Prickly Pear and Great Bird Island promise some of the finest underwater adventures, where bright fish flicker past in clear blue water.Kayaking and paddleboarding are ideal here, with the glassy waters of Hodges Bay and Runaway Bay inviting you to glide across their calm surface.You can join a guided tour that winds through the mangroves and slips into the quiet coves where the water smells faintly of salt.Offshore islands: You can reach the tiny isles off the North Coast by boat, making them perfect for a breezy day trip with salt on your skin.Great Bird Island draws visitors with sweeping ocean views and the sight of seabirds settling into their nests among the rocks.Jabberwock Beach buzzes with windsurfing and kiteboarding, where steady trade winds fill bright sails and you can book a board or a lesson right on the sand.Hodges Bay Resort & Spa is a luxury getaway with white-sand beaches, gourmet dining, and a serene spa.Blue Waters Resort & Spa offers private stretches of sand, gardens blooming with color, and a touch of elegance in every detail.Boutique hotels and villas offer small, intimate spaces where guests enjoy a quieter atmosphere and personal touches, like fresh flowers on the nightstand.The area’s dotted with private beachfront villas, and they’re a favorite-think morning coffee with waves lapping a few steps away.Beachfront spots along the North Coast serve up Caribbean flavors, plates of just-caught seafood, and a mix of international dishes.You can grab a drink at a laid-back beach bar, or settle in for an elegant dinner at one of the resort’s fine restaurants where candlelight glimmers on the tables.Taste the island’s heart in every bite-pepper pot simmered rich and dark, sweet lobster pulled fresh from the sea, and tender conch dressed with a touch of local flair.On the North Coast, mangroves and scattered offshore islands draw in countless birds-pelicans with their heavy bills, sleek frigatebirds riding the wind, and elegant white egrets wading in the shallows.Marine Life: Coral reefs bustle with bright fish darting between branches of coral, while sea turtles glide past and rays sweep gracefully along the sand-perfect for an unforgettable dive.Community and lifestyle feel: The North Coast stays quiet, free from crowds, with an easy, unhurried pace-like strolling a sandy path where you hear only the waves.Local life shines in the small communities here, where neighbors greet you with a smile and the pace feels as easy as a sunny afternoon in Antigua.Getting to the North Coast from St. John’s is simple-smooth, well-kept roads wind past palm-lined stretches, linking the main beaches and resorts.Boat Trips: The easiest way to reach many beaches and nearby islands is by boat, with tours setting out from the area, often under a bright morning sun.Why should you head to the North Coast, where salty wind brushes your face and waves crash against rugged cliffs?On the North Coast, you’ll find quiet coves, sweeping ocean views, and just enough luxury to make you linger.You can stretch out on a quiet strip of sand, dive among bright coral swaying in the current, or savor fresh seafood in a candlelit restaurant-on the North Coast, it’s pure Caribbean bliss.
Landmarks in north-coast