barbudaful things to do and see

spectacular beaches

Barbuda is one of the best beach destinations in the Caribbean; it has unspoilt beaches on all sides of the island. Usually you will be alone on the beach, except on the hotel beaches. Hotel beaches are open to all visitors as long as non-guests keep to the waterline.

Most of the beaches have no facilities so it is important to remember to take water and shade or find a place to keep out of the sun for some of the time. In some places when you have seen one beach you have seen them all, but in Barbuda each one is different, better than the last, and interesting enough to keep even the most cynical holidaymaker happy for hours.

The beaches can have dangerous currents at certain times of the year, but there are also areas that are perfect for children or non-swimmers, with shallow water and rock pools filled with tiny fish and crabs. There are aerial displays provided by pelicans diving close to the beach and everywhere you swim you will see fish darting about in the water.

On holiday weekends the beaches fill with Barbudans who take picnics very seriously and bring loud music, food, and truckloads of people to spend the day in the sea. In some of the cave areas people camp for several nights, catching and cooking fish, deer, and land turtle, which are often shared by everyone.

exploring barbuda

At Two Foot Bay and in other areas of the island there are huge caves to explore. In one are ancient cave drawings and in others it is possible to climb right through to the top of the Highlands and see for miles. Other caves go underground and underwater and require expert knowledge to explore them. Darby Cave is an extraordinary example of a sink hole and popular with visitors. It takes approximately 45 minutes to walk there from Highland House.

In very dry weather the salt ponds sparkle with crystalline sea salt that is still harvested here. A bush safari will delight bird watchers and nature lovers, stopping for a picnic in the shade and a swim in the sea.

View a map of the island of Barbuda

diving

Around the coast of Barbuda there are many wrecks from different periods of the island's history. There are experienced divers on the island who can guide visitors to the wrecks and it is possible to hire scuba diving equipment. Wrecks are often in dangerous water and it is important to seek local advice before attempting to explore them.

fishing

As there are many fishermen and women on the island it is always possible to go fishing, either out at sea or in the calm lagoon water. Many people have boats and will take visitors for fishing trips, bringing home barracuda, shark, tuna, and other types of local fish. Catching lobster is also relatively easy as they are a specialty of the island and can be caught by hand or in specially crafted fish pots.

frigate bird sanctuary

One of the main tourist attractions on Barbuda is the Magnificent Frigate Bird Sanctuary, situated in the Codrington Lagoon. It is a forty-minute boat ride and is a spectacular sight even for non-bird watchers. In the mating season from September to April this rare bird displays a huge red breast to attract a female mate and they lay one egg on a nest, built precariously on the mangrove. These birds cannot walk or swim; they soar high in the clouds and live solely on fish, which they often steal from other birds, giving them their local name Man O'War. They have few predators here and this nesting site is one of the most important in the world for these endangered birds.

eating out

There are two restaurants in Barbuda, several snack shops and five or six bars ranging from rum shops to bars with TV and pool tables. Most cater for local people's needs as few guests from the hotels frequent them, those that do enjoy their lively weekend atmosphere. The best way to buy local food is to go out to a food fair or fish fry at the weekend. There are always people barbecuing on the street and the fish is always fresh from the sea. Local specialties at food fairs include deer meat, land turtle, lobster, crab, conch, local beef and lamb or goat, with side dishes of rice, fungi, or dumplings. Local drinks include soursop, ginger beer, sea moss, and tamarind juices.

shopping

There are several shops that sell groceries and fresh food. All supplies come by boat or by plane from various places via Antigua. The best time to look for fruit and vegetables is when the boat comes in on Friday or Saturday. Many people sell their own produce at different times throughout the year and this is when the best organically grown produce is available.

Fish is brought in at the Lagoon Wharf nearly every day in good weather. Locally produced meat is often for sale from a table on the street; there are no butchers, it helps to remember those posters in the butchers showing where sirloin steak is on an animal before you buy!

There are several variety stores selling all kinds of essential household items and clothes, many of them have gifts and T-shirts.

There is a small shop where local handicrafts are for sale to visitors and an ArtCafe where visitors are welcome to read information about the island, buy a map, or seek advice. This is the residence of the artist, Claire Frank, who specialises in hand-painted silk pictures and cards.