Why Honeymoon on Antigua's Southwest Coast
The southwest is Antigua at its most relaxed. The coves face the gentle Caribbean rather than the windier Atlantic, so the water is usually calm enough to float in for hours. Beaches such as Darkwood, Ffryes and Valley Church have golden sand and few crowds. The sunsets are superb, with Montserrat sometimes visible on the horizon.
The resorts here are small and intimate rather than sprawling. The landscape is lush and hilly, so each property feels secluded. Yet you are never far from something interesting: a sailing regatta in English Harbour, a rainforest canopy tour, a day sail to Barbuda or a plate of grilled lobster at a beach shack. It is a romantic mix of seclusion and easy adventure.
When to Go
Antigua's sunniest, driest weather runs from about mid-December through April, which is peak season, when the best villas book early and rates are highest. The trade winds keep temperatures comfortable year-round, generally in the 80s Fahrenheit.
May and June can be excellent value with plenty of sunshine. Antigua Sailing Week, one of the Caribbean's premier regattas, takes place around late April or early May and fills English Harbour with yachts and parties. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November, peaking from August to October; some resorts, including Curtain Bluff, close for part of late summer or early fall, so check dates before booking. Antigua's Carnival, typically in late July and early August, is a joyful celebration if you want to see the island in festival mode.
Where to Stay
Two very different resorts anchor our picks on this coast.
Hermitage Bay sits in a private cove near Jennings, with about 30 kid-free villa suites scattered between the beach and a garden-filled hillside, many with private pools. Its all-inclusive plan, with Champagne, sushi at cocktail hour and daily changing menus, is one of the most generous in the Caribbean.
Curtain Bluff, open since 1962, occupies a headland at Old Road between two beaches. It is all-inclusive, with waterskiing, sailing and snorkel trips included. Its suites on the bluff, with plunge pools and panoramic views, are classic honeymoon choices. It welcomes families but remains romantic.
The wider area also has family-friendly all-inclusives and villa rentals around Jolly Harbour and smaller boutique options in the hills.
Romantic Things to Do
On Sunday afternoons, head to Shirley Heights Lookout, a restored military lookout above English Harbour, for steel pan music, barbecue and one of the Caribbean's most celebrated sunset views. Earlier in the day, wander the restored Georgian buildings of Nelson's Dockyard, where superyachts moor beside centuries-old stone warehouses.
Snorkel at Cades Reef, a long barrier reef off the southwest coast, or book a private catamaran to anchor in a quiet cove for lunch. A day trip to Barbuda, by ferry or small plane, rewards you with miles of pink-tinged sand and the frigate bird colony in Codrington Lagoon. Inland, a rainforest canopy tour sends you flying between treetops. A drive along Fig Tree Drive leads to roadside stalls selling Antigua black pineapples, famed for their sweetness.
Getting There & Around
V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU), on the island's northeast side, receives nonstop flights from several US cities, with flying time of around four hours from New York. The drive to the southwest coast takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Both Hermitage Bay and Curtain Bluff arrange transfers, so ask whether yours is included in the rate.
Taxis operate on fixed fares, which you should confirm before setting off. Renting a car gives you freedom to explore beaches and Fig Tree Drive. But driving is on the left, roads can be narrow and potholed and you need a temporary local driving permit, which rental companies can arrange. Many couples simply use resort drivers for excursions.
Food & Drink
Antiguan cooking is hearty and flavorful. The national dish is fungee and pepperpot, a cornmeal and okra side served with a rich vegetable and meat stew. Look also for ducana (a sweet potato dumpling often served with saltfish) and fresh local lobster, snapper and mahi mahi from beach grills. The famous Antigua black pineapple is small, intensely sweet and worth seeking out.
Resort dining on the southwest coast is excellent, from the five-course dinners at Curtain Bluff's Tamarind Restaurant to the daily changing menus at Hermitage Bay. English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour have a lively restaurant scene catering to the sailing crowd. To drink, try English Harbour rum or a local Wadadli beer. Do not miss a rum punch at sunset.
Honeymoon Tips
- Plan your Sunday around Shirley Heights; arrive before sunset to get a good spot at the lookout.
- Book a private catamaran or speedboat for a day to explore coves you would never reach by road.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen and your own snorkel mask if you are particular about fit.
- Carry small US bills for tips; US dollars are widely accepted, though change may come in East Caribbean dollars.
- If traveling between August and October, check whether your chosen resort is open.
- Bring insect repellent for evenings, when the mosquitoes come out in the hills and on sheltered beaches.
