Barbuda is about 175 sq km if the large lagoon on the west side is included in the total area. Two-thirds of the island consists of a flat plain raised only a few feet above sea level. The other third, the Highlands, is a relatively flat tableland with a maximum height of 42 metres.
Unlike most of the islands which form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea, Barbuda is not of volcanic origin.The island is limestone and represents a coral reef which was raised above the sea in two successive stages. In the south the Highlands slope down to meet the plain. On the eastern windward side the Atlantic Ocean washes up on mostly rocky headlands. Much of the coastline is characterised by beach sands and fringed with coral reefs. Throughout its history Barbuda has been an exceptionally dangerous hazard to shipping.
Click here for a satellite view of Barbuda taken from the Google Earth software.
Barbuda's climate is sub-tropical with a temperature range from 18°C to 45°C. Rainfall is seasonal, with an average of 100 cm per year. There are no streams or lakes; fortunately underground water is found in reasonable quantities and water is obtained from wells. Vegetation tends to be scrubby woodland, with few trees over 10 metres, and numerous cacti and succulents. In contrast Codrington Village has colourful displays of Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Pride of Barbados, and Lady of the Night, as Barbudans lovingly tend their gardens.
As an island composed of limestone, Barbuda has many caves to explore. There are two main sites at Castle Hill and Two Foot Bay. The road to Two Foot Bay is more accessible to visitors so these are most commonly visited, Castle Hill is a long and bumpy ride. The caves at Two Foot Bay range from small crawl-in holes to huge cavernous areas, complete with stalactites and stalagmites and many fossils. Barbudans have camped in the caves for centuries and have given them names, such as "The Fridge", which as its name suggests is cool and breezy. In Indian Cave at Two Foot Bay it is possible to see drawings (petroglyphs) left by the original inhabitants of Barbuda, the Arawak or the Siboney. Visit our Amerindian page to learn more about these people.
Three and half miles north-east of Codrington Village is Darby Cave, a spectacular sink hole in the middle of the bush. It is well worth a visit to see the huge deep hole suddenly appear in front of you and wonder how it got there! The tops of tall palm trees are suddenly at eye level. Darby Sink Hole is over 100 metres in diameter and around 70 feet deep. One side of the hole has been greatly undercut and stalagmites up to 8 feet high have formed under the overhang. The vegetation resembles a mini rainforest with palms, ferns, and lianas. A local guide is essential for this trip.
Dark Cave is two miles to the south of Darby Cave. The cave has a narrow entrance leading to a vast cavern containing pools of water, which were probably a water source for Amerindian inhabitants as artefacts have been found nearby. Dark Cave is the habitat for several rare species of crustacea, including a blind shrimp.
Throughout the island are the remains of settlements of the Arawaks, the first Amerindian inhabitants of Barbuda. Recently a human skeleton was found, dating back to these times. There are many known sites and it is quite easy to find fragments of pottery and conch shells used centuries ago. Visitors must obtain permission from the Barbuda Council before excavating any remains and it is essential that all artefacts are presented to the Council in order that they remain on the island. Click archaeology to learn more about excavations in Barbuda.
The ruins of Codrington House, known locally as "Willy Bob" or Highland House, is situated on the highest part of the island, about three miles north of Codrington Village. The floors and lower walls, and a large cistern are all that remain of the family settlement of the slave owners, the Codringtons. The view from the house is the best way to see most of the coastline of Barbuda. Visit historical notes to learn more about the colonial history of Barbuda.
The Martello Tower is near the beach at River, three miles south of the village. It is impossible to miss this site, all visitors pass by on their way to Coco Point and Access Beach. The tower has a raised gun platform and extremely thick walls, but is missing the floors. This type of fortification was modelled on a tower built on Cape Mortella during the Napoleonic Wars in the early nineteenth century. However, there was a fort on the site before, probably built by the Spanish.
Government House is located in the centre of Codrington Village, behind the Post Office. The building dates from 1694 and by the gate has a block for a rider to stand on to mount and dismount a horse. The building was lived in by the Wardens, who were the representatives of the British Government from the time the Codringtons left until 1976. The stables for Government House are now used as classrooms by the Holy Trinity School. Unfortunately the house was severely damaged by Hurricane Luis in 1995 and has yet to be repaired.
The Ginnery is one of the buildings used by the Barbuda Council and was previously used as classrooms for the school. Salt and cotton were stored here from the days of slavery until well into the 1900s. The salt was still coated on the walls 10 years ago when the web designer taught here and one could see dates and quantities stencilled on the beams.
In Codrington Village are many original buildings, old houses, and dry stone walls. Some have been incorporated into newer buildings and others remain. At one time the whole village was walled to prevent animals from entering. There are several wells that are still used by Barbudans for their water supply.
Scattered round the island are many ruined stone look-outs and storage buildings. The one at Gun Shop Cliff, to the east of Highland House, is said to have been erected in the late nineteenth century as part of a phosphate mining operation which took place in one of the caves.
Part of the information above has been supplied by Gregg Wilson. Gregg is an anthropologist and environmentalist. Gregg lived for many years in Antigua and Barbuda where he worked in agriculture, sports, and as a teacher at the Holy Trinity School. Currently, Gregg is completing an MSc in Resource Management at Central Washington University. He has written extensively about aspects of Barbudan history.
