Barbuda is part of a three-island state with Antigua and Redonda in the north-eastern Caribbean. In Barbuda you will see an island that is unspoilt by tourism. It is renowned for its beaches which are natural, miles long and sprinkled with pink sand.
View a map or aerial photos of the island.
Barbuda has the deep blue Atlantic on one side with wild beaches full of driftwood and shells and the calm Caribbean sea on the other, perfect for swimming and snorkeling, with plenty of opportunities to see turtles and many varieties of tropical fish undisturbed in the turquoise water.
The beauty of Barbuda is in its natural, peaceful way of life. It is not for visitors who are looking for sophisticated nightlife, it is a place where you relax, slow down and make your own entertainment.
The population of 1500 live in the village of Codrington. Village life is unaffected by tourism and if you are a guest here you will soon be part of the social life of the local people. Barbudans are helpful and friendly people and welcome visitors to their island.
There are only two hotels on the island that are open at the moment; the membership only, very private Coco Point Lodge and Lighthouse Bay Resort, more recently opened. There are several small guest houses in the village, ranging from single rooms to self-catering cottages.
Barbuda, 15 miles long and 8 miles wide, is mostly very rocky and flat. Much of the island is covered in bush and there are unmarked roads and tracks to the beaches. It is possible to cycle almost as easily as driving, as speed is of no importance here.
The bush hides all kinds of wildlife, including deer and boar, land turtles and guinea fowl, and the occasional wild cat. There are feral cattle, horses, and donkeys wandering about and in the village sheep and goats roam freely, returning to their pens at night. There are several salt ponds where it is possible to see a great variety of bird life, and in the lagoon the most spectacular of all the birds - the rare Magnificent Frigate Bird has a colony of approximately 2000 birds, one of the largest colonies in the world.
Barbuda is a haven for birdwatchers who come to see the frigate birds but can also expect to see many other rare species including ospreys, whistling ducks, tropic birds and the Barbuda Warbler, known locally as the Christmas Bird, and the only one of its kind in the world.
At the start of 2009, abcNews.com featured Barbuda in the Weekend Window slot on their Good Morning America programme. The video features Senator Mackenzie Frank, Jackie Beazer-Joseph, and Calvin Gore, guide at the Frigate Bird sanctuary. A full transcript of the video is available, and a selection of pictures from around the island too.