There is a place on Earth where beaches with white sand are spread, the purest azure waters of the Caribbean Sea are splashing, the breeze is playing with palm branches and the islanders are smiling good-naturedly. There is almost always excellent weather, well-developed infrastructure, a lot of opportunities for recreation for every taste and such an alluring, such attractive exotic. That's what it is, Antigua and Barbuda. Where is this small paradise-like state? How and how do people live there? What impressions does this paradise leave for tourists?
Geographical position
A state with an unusual and slightly exotic name Antigua and Barbuda on the map can be found in the northeastern Caribbean region, where the group of the Lesser Antilles is located, just 480 kilometers from Puerto Rico. Geographically, it occupies three islands - the largest Antigua, a little smaller than Barbuda and a very tiny, plus completely deserted, islet of Redonda. You can get there by water and air. Antigua has both marinas and an international airport. Barbuda also has a small airport and marina to connect with its neighbor, Antigua. You can fly from island to island by plane in 20 minutes. The ferry journey takes an hour and a half. Flight times from the mainland to Antigua depend on the departure point. It takes almost 16 hours to get there from Moscow. Remember that the islands are in a different time zone. Local time differs from Moscow by 8 hours.
State history
The indigenous people of Antigua and Barbuda call their country Wadadli, which translates as “our property”. The name is associated with historical events that took place here for more than 5 centuries. Sibonei Indians lived on these islands since the 2nd century BC, who were mainly engaged in fishing and hunting. Later, Arawaks, who specialize in agriculture, moved here from the continent. In the 13th century, both of them were supplanted by the Caribbean - a brave and warlike people. In 1493, during another expedition, I came across this paradise of the Earth. He named the larger island Antigua after Saint Mary, patron of Seville. The little one got the name Redonda, which means round. The middle island was named Barbuda, which means beard. The lands discovered by Columbus became In 1632, the Spaniards were driven back by the British. On the conquered lands, they organized farms for the cultivation of tobacco, coconuts, worked on the plantations, the negro slaves brought by them. Slavery on the islands lasted 200 years and 2 years. The country fought for its independence for a long time and finally, in 1981, it achieved it.
Antigua and Barbuda flag
The deer is chosen as the animal symbol of the country, and the national symbols are the coat of arms, anthem and flag. Antigua and Barbuda has a flag that is unlike any other in the world. It is a rectangular panel, which depicts the rising sun, symbolizing the beginning of a new free life, as well as the sand of the beaches - the country's national heritage. The black background is the skin color of the indigenous population, because it is mainly represented by the descendants of former slaves. Blue and white stripes are the waves of the sea, as well as the colors of hope and purity. The red color on the flag represents the energy of the people, and the V-shape of the design symbolizes victory.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms of the country of Antigua and Barbuda was created in 1966 by Gordon Christopher. Its drawing is very complex, but numerous details give almost complete information about this state. The picture of the coat of arms is a shield supported by two deer - animal symbols. In the upper part of the shield there is pineapple and some species of plants prevailing on the islands. On the shield are the same as on the flag, the sun shining on a black background and white and blue stripes of the sea. A sugar factory is depicted at the bottom of the shield. All this is crowned with a ribbon with the inscription "Through the efforts of everyone, the common is accomplished." This is the country's motto. Here is such a wonderful coat of arms.
Capital
The state of Antigua and Barbuda, the capital of which is St. John's, is very small in terms of population. There are slightly less than 87 thousand people here, and 31 thousand of them are concentrated in the capital. It is located on the island of Antigua. There is an international airport at a distance of almost 8 km from the city, but, unfortunately, there is no communication with Russia. Russian tourists can get to the island from America, Canada, Germany and England. You can get to the city only by taxi or by car rented here, at the airport. This requires only rights and money. But you can travel around the city by buses. They run almost all over the island, except for the northern part of it and Dickenson Bay. Tickets are very inexpensive, although the number of buses decreases sharply on weekends.
The city has a well-developed tourist business, many hotels have been built, there are wonderful beaches, shops, restaurants, nightclubs and casinos.
Islands
Antigua is the country's largest island. Its area is 281 square kilometers. The island's climate is very favorable. The temperature in winter does not drop below +25 degrees, and in summer it is in the range of 30-33 degrees. It only rains from September to November. They are usually very powerful, but short-lived. Sometimes there are strong hurricanes on the island. The relief of Antigua is flat. Only in the southwest there are hills, the highest of which is Boggy Hill, recently renamed Obama Hill. Its height is 402 meters. Forests and fauna are poorly preserved, but there are many exotic birds here, and coastal waters abound with amazingly beautiful marine life.
Barbuda is located 48 kilometers away. This island is so flat that even with small waves it is difficult to see it from a mile away. Its area is only 161 square kilometers, and the only town - Codrington - looks like a village. Less than one and a half thousand people live on the island, there are almost no asphalt roads, but the beaches are as good as in Antigua, only more deserted. The nature on this island is much better preserved. There are several noteworthy caves here. Also of interest are flocks of frigates.
Antigua and Barbuda - the photo demonstrates this perfectly - is composed mainly of coral reefs, forming numerous amazingly beautiful bays and lagoons. The disadvantage of these places is the lack of fresh water. It is taken from wells or desalinated from the sea.
Redonta is a small volcanic island 40 km from the central island of Antigua. Its area is about 1.6 square kilometers. There are no people here, only animals and birds, which is especially appreciated by lovers of nature and secluded relaxation.
The medicine
Antigua and Barbuda strives to become world class in the quality of health care and education. There are medical schools in the country where qualified medical personnel are trained, and a medical university; a modern hospital is being built, which will be equipped with modern devices and equipment. Currently, there are 10 excellent hospitals on the islands, where they can provide almost any medical service. For the convenience of tourists, the hotels have doctors who speak English. Nevertheless, it is highly undesirable to get sick while on holiday in this country, since many medical institutions require a contribution of 4 thousand dollars before treatment.
Currency
Antigua and Barbuda has its own currency - the East Caribbean dollars, issued by the East Caribbean Bank. Banknotes are available in nominations from 1 to 100 dollars. All banknotes depict the Queen of Great Britain. $ 1 equals 100 cents. Coins Antigua and Barbuda uses minted from aluminum and copper-nickel alloys. They differ in diameter and weight. On one side of the coins, the denomination is indicated, and on the other, Queen Elizabeth II or a sailboat is depicted
In addition to the national currency in the country, you can pay with credit cards and US dollars, the import of which is allowed in unlimited quantities. Change is always given in local currency.
According to the unwritten law, when paying for the services of a porter, taxi driver, maids and waiters, it is necessary to leave a tip, so a change in your pocket can always come in handy.
As part of the investment program, the laws of Antigua and Barbuda are allowed to give out to everyone who can make investments in the country's economy under one of the three provided programs.
- Investments are made in the amount of 400 thousand US dollars.
- A charitable amount in the amount of 200 thousand US dollars is contributed to the state economic fund.
- An amount of one and a half million US dollars is contributed to one's own or to any existing business in the country.
In addition, those wishing to become citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are required to pay a special fee for each adult family member and each child over 18 years old, 50 thousand dollars, and for children under 18 years old, 25 thousand.
The second fee is called Due Diligence Fee. It provides for different amounts, depending on age and status in the family.
Citizenship gives you the right to enter many countries without a visa.
Holidays and festivals
Cricket is very popular in Antigua and Barbuda. It even hosted 8 matches during the World Championship in this sport. The islanders are also big fans of football, diving, surfing and sailing. Almost every month a sports tournament or holiday is held in the country. In January, the Big Regatta and volleyball and cricket tournaments start, in February the second regatta and dog and horse shows, Easter celebrations in March, the traditional Yacht Week in April, a water model sports tournament, anglers and tennis players in May, badminton competitions in June and bodybuilding. But the most significant and striking is the carnival dedicated to the independence of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. The capital blooms with hundreds of colors during the carnival week. Various musical performances, a masquerade, a fair take place, and at the end of the day the Queen's choice.
Hotel business
Tourism is the main source of income in Antigua and Barbuda. Therefore, everything related to the tourism business is quite well developed. Antigua and Barbuda offers its guests a multitude of modern hotels designed for different wallets and operating on the BB system, 365 delightful beaches with white clean sand and transparent water, a lot of excursions, amazing cuisine, fun and excitement of discos and the romance of remote quiet corners. The overwhelming majority of tourists' reviews confirm the high level of service at relatively low prices. Those who have ever visited Antigua or Barbuda will forever leave in their hearts the memories of this wonderful country and a delightful vacation.
Attractions and excursions
Every country has its own attractions. Antigua and Barbuda boasts St John's Cathedral and English Harbor, home to the largest number of historical sites in the country. Chief among them is Nelson's Dockyard, associated with the famous Nelson. Now there is a National Park. Clarence House and the old cemetery are of interest. Popular with tourists is the Dows Hill Center, where theatrical performances are held. Another attraction is Fort Berkeley, which once protected the entrance to the harbor, and was later destroyed. It is currently being restored. In Barbuda, in addition to natural beauty, you can admire the Martello Tower, which is considered a historical value of the country, and the remains of the once large Willy-Bob estate. Of great interest are the caves of the island with huge petroglyphs of ancient Indians preserved in the Indian cave. Derby Cave has a huge underground lake.
Tourists will not be bored. For them, safaris are arranged to the far corners of the islands, swimming with dolphins in Marina Bay, sailing on a catamaran, flying over an active volcano by helicopter, cruising on a real pirate ship with a stop in a quiet remote bay and much more.
Antigua and Barbuda is considered a relatively crime-free country. However, pickpocketing does happen here. Therefore, in crowded places, you need to be careful. It is also not recommended to walk alone in the remote corners of the islands and at night.
A visa is not required to enter the country and a tax of US $ 20 is payable upon departure.
The islands have a huge number of beaches. There are special places for nudists. It is possible to be topless on public beaches, but not accepted. And in the city and even in some hotels, bathing suits are not welcome. In public places, it is advisable for women to be in dresses, and men in trousers and shirts.
It is possible to photograph indigenous people, but only if they agree to it.
Anything can be brought into the country except drugs and weapons, and items of national interest are prohibited from exporting.
Antigua
Columbus named the island Antigua after the church of Antigua de Santa Maria in Seville. The most beautiful island with a picturesque coastline, many bays and rich vegetation, for a long time became an arena for the struggle of European colonists with aggressive Indian tribes and the forces of nature. Only in the middle of the 17th century, the life of the settlers began to improve, and today the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are one of the largest resort areas in the West Indies. Antigua is home to a huge number of modern hotels, nightclubs, casinos, water sports centers and entertainment complexes.
Barbuda
The island of Barbuda lies 42 km north of Antigua. This quiet, pastoral-rural island, which is home to only 2% of the country's population, is very rarely visited by tourists - mainly bird watchers and yachtsmen come here. But nevertheless, this small piece of land in the endless expanse of the sea is considered one of the most colorful islands on the planet, and its eight-kilometer long Long Beach is also one of the most beautiful shores in the world. More of a village-like capital of the island, Codrington was named after the Gloucestershire family that once leased Barbuda to the British crown for "one fat pig a year." Barbuda, almost entirely composed of limestone rocks, abounds in caves.
Redonda
A tiny and almost uninhabited volcanic rock known as Redonda lies 56km southwest of Barbuda. The island is practically not visited by tourists, only yachtsmen are frequent guests of these waters. Currently, a natural park is located on Redonda.
Reefs
Both Antigua and Barbuda are almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs, numerous submarine banks and rocks, and therefore abound with shipwrecks. The south and east coast of Antigua, and virtually the entire coast of Barbuda, is surrounded by shelf shallows providing excellent diving and snorkelling conditions. Most of Antigua's shores, with their white sand and gentle slope, are protected from the sea by coral reefs, and all are free (at least officially). Top beach destinations are Dickenson Bay and Ranway Bay on the east coast, Deep Bay and Hawksbill west of St. John's, and Darkwood Beach in the south of Jolly Harbor. On the east coast, Half Moon Bay is considered the main seaside destination, while in English Harbor it is Galleon Beach and the isolated Page Beach. Distant beaches, including the north end of Dickenson Bay and Hawkesbill Beach, are nudist beaches.
Good snorkelling and diving conditions can be found in the Sanken Rock and Cape Shirley area and off the southern coast of Antigua. Moreover, many dive zones are very close to the shore, rarely more than fifteen minutes away by boat. And the underwater world of the islands is truly magnificent - there are numerous colorful reef inhabitants, including parrotfish, angelfish, wrasse and barracuda, practically safe nurse sharks and, if you are lucky, of course, dolphins and sea turtles. The reefs are mostly largely untouched, and although the depths are shallow, there are some good sea canyons and shipwrecks.
The sheltered west coast of Antigua is great for beginner surfers, while the windswept east coast is famous for its constant winds and is perfect for experienced surfers. Another popular type of recreation is sport fishing in the ocean, the main objects of which are marlin, tuna and king mackerel "wahoo".
The name of the island Antigua was given by Christopher Columbus, in which he immortalized the memory of the Church of Antigua de Santa Maria, located in Seville. The island is located in the Caribbean Sea and belongs to the group of Lesser Antilles, the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are the location of the state of the same name. Columbus discovered the island in the late 15th century, and in 1662 it became a British colony. The eventful history of the island is embodied in priceless historical monuments, acquaintance with which today is an obligatory part of travelers' rest.
In addition to the abundance of interesting sights to explore, Antigua has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay, from first-class hotels and restaurants to stylish nightclubs and casinos. The capital of the island is the city of St. John's, its historic district deserves the primary attention of fans of excursions.
In the center of the historic district there is St John's Cathedral - a striking example of the neo-baroque style, which was built in the middle of the 19th century.According to historical data, the first religious building on the site of the cathedral appeared in 1683. In the immediate vicinity There is an old cemetery, which is also of great historical value.Visitors of the capital should definitely look into the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, which is located in an incredibly beautiful colonial building. Other monuments of colonial times are presented in variety on Long Street. Long Street, it is very convenient to walk through the historic district of the capital on foot.
In the immediate vicinity of the capital, there is a beautiful Dickenson Bay, which has been chosen by fans of beach holidays. This area is famous not only for its natural beauty, but also for its rich historical heritage. Not far from the bay are the ruins of the ancient Corbinson Castle, one of the first fortifications to appear on the island. A rather unusual attraction is the Bettiz Sugar Plantation (Hope Manor Bettiz), on the territory of which there is now a small museum. The plantation was recently restored and was first founded in 1650. Ancient windmills, of which there are more than 150 today, remain the permanent symbol of the island of Antigua.
Island group Wadadli was discovered by Columbus in 1493, during his second expedition to the shores of the New World.
Attractions of the islands of Antigua and Barbuda
Attractions Antigua
Columbus named antigua island in honor of Antigua de Santa Maria's church. The most beautiful island with a picturesque coastline, many bays and rich vegetation, for a long time became an arena for the struggle of European colonists with aggressive Indian tribes and the forces of nature. Only in the middle of the 17th century, the life of settlers began to improve, and today the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are one of the largest resort areas in the West Indies. Antigua is home to a huge number of modern hotels, nightclubs, casinos, water sports centers and entertainment complexes.
The capital of Antigua, its commercial center and major tourist area of \u200b\u200bthe country, St. John's is a rather unusual capital. Only 30 thousand people live here, but this is almost half of the country's population. It is a major tourist destination on the island, but nevertheless much of the city remains an example of old Caribbean architecture and lifestyle. All tourist activity in the capital is limited to the waterfront promenade around the harbor, the Heritage Quay complex and the pastoral Redcliffe Quay district, where most of the shops, restaurants and galleries are concentrated, as well as colorful stone buildings and wooden huts clearly oriented towards tourists. Some of them are beautifully restored, others are in a dilapidated state, but together they create the flavor of St. John's, which became the basis of its popularity among tourists.
Just a few hours will be enough to explore the city and its attractions, since all the main attractions of the city are located close to each other. You should definitely see the neo-Baroque Cathedral of St. John (1845, the first building on this site dates back to 1683). The two slightly awkward towers of the cathedral are the hallmark of the island and are one of the rare examples of mixed wood and stone architecture. In the southern part of the cathedral, you can find a small cemetery with old, moss-covered tombstones, many of which date back to the 17th century. Also noteworthy is the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, housed in the colonial House of the Court (1747) at the intersection of Long Street and Market Street, west of the cathedral. The museum has a good collection of exhibits on the history and culture of Indian tribes and the colonial period. Long Street itself, along which the Carnival processions take place, is lined with many fine old buildings, including several colorful 17th-century wine shops still operating. Nick Mali's Little Gallery (Antigua Art Gallery) lies on the northeast coast of Hodges Bay.
Little fort james was built on a cliff at the north end of St. John's Harbor in 1675, but most of its surviving structures date from 1739. Several ancient cannons that once guarded the harbor can still be seen here, as well as gunpowder stores, a canteen, barracks, and several virtually intact fortifications. Together with Fort Barrington (the oldest defensive structure of the island, mid-17th century), lying on the opposite side of the harbor mouth, and Fort St. John on the island of Rat Island, it formed an almost impregnable system of defenses. Today the fort looks rather dilapidated, but the picturesque view from its walls more than compensates for all the inconveniences. Nearby lies a cemetery with a small obelisk in honor of the soldiers of the 54th regiment. A little further north, in Fort Bay, lies one of the most popular beaches in the capital.
Named after the Church of St. Mary of Redcliffe, Redcliffe Quay is considered the best place to explore the city. This is one of the oldest parts of St. John's, so many old warehouses are concentrated here, which have been restored and used for small shops, as well as restaurants and bars. Behind the pier, at the end of Nevis Street, is the old slave market, and further north is the colorful Heritage Quay, where cruise ships dock, and therefore is home to many duty-free shops, a theater, and a memorial to the Antiguans who gave their lives in the fields World War I, monument to the first prime minister of the independent country V. Byrd and Westerby Memorial. The colorful Farmers' Market is located in the southwestern part of the city. It is worth visiting on weekends when thousands of locals gather here.
English Harbor, "English Harbor", lying on the southern coast of the island, is considered the most popular attraction in Antigua, which has the richest collection of historical monuments on the island.
The main attraction in the harbor is Nelson Dockyard ("Nelson's Dockyard"), a British naval base (18th century), today the most popular marina on the island and the only true harbor in the world of that era.
During the Napoleonic Wars, English Harbor was used as one of the main bases of the British Navy, the names of Nelson, Rodney and Hood are associated with it, so it is not surprising that a National Park of about 27 square meters has now been created here. km.
Noteworthy are the Gregorian-style Clarence House Mansion (18th century, now the summer residence of the Governor General), the partially restored fortified observation post and the old cemetery in Shirley Heights, as well as the Dows Hill Visitor Center (which regularly hosts multimedia performances on history Antigua), and among the thickets of cactus stands the Berkeley Fort, which once protected the western entrance to the harbor (the fort is dilapidated, but is being intensively restored).
Nearby lies the large horseshoe-shaped Falmouth Harbor, which is a whole tourist complex with a large number of restaurants. High in the hills above Falmouth village (north side of the harbor) lies the massive fort of Great Fort George, and the east side of Falmouth Harbor is practically adjacent to Nelson Dockyard. The Anglican Church of St. Paul, located on the main road to Falmouth, is Antigua's first Christian church (built in 1676). The church is surrounded by an old cemetery with the graves of Charles Pitt (he was buried here in 1780), a memorial to Andrew Dunlop and other historical figures.
West Coast
The west coast of Antigua, between the small fishing village of Old Road and the capital, is one large tourist area with a chain of hotels and a string of beautiful beaches. Here, surrounded by the hilly Sheckerly Mountains, are beautiful beach areas such as Dickenson Bay, Runway Bay, Gally Bay and Hawkesbill. From Old Road, the road goes along the coast past banana groves and pineapple plantations, around Cades Bay and the reef of the same name, to the highest point of the island - Mount Boggy Peak (402 m), from which you can see the islands of St. Kitts, Guadeloupe and even Montserrat.
Northwest of St. John's lies two beautiful bays - Ranway Bay and Dickenson Bay. It is an amazingly quiet area with long beaches and gorgeous white sands, calm waters and a handful of small but very cozy hotels. Here you can find a huge number of seabirds, the ruins of the old Fort Corbinson, the white beaches between Corbinson Point and Viserill Hill, and a large salt reservoir on the inner side of Ranway Bay, which also serves as a nesting place for thousands of birds. Nearby are the restored colonial sugar plantation Betties Hope (1650, the first on the island) with a small museum in the Visitor Center, over 170 old windmills, the Devil's Bridge rock formation, the lower part of which has been washed away over thousands of years of tireless surf work ( according to Indian beliefs, this is where the spirits of the island live), Indian Town National Park, as well as the picturesque Half Moon Bay National Park (one of the best surfing spots on the island), the Harmony Hall art gallery and one of the best restaurants on the island in Nonsuch Bay. Nearby lies the deserted Green Island, considered an excellent snorkelling destination. Deep Bay to the west of St. John's is also considered a great place for a seaside holiday. A salt pond separates Deep Bay from the slightly smaller Hog John Bay, which is just a stone's throw from Fort Barrington.
Southwest and South Coast
The banks of the hilly southwestern part of Antigua are much less developed in terms of tourism than the areas around the capital. Nevertheless, you can find beautiful seashores here, such as Fries Bay, Darkwood Beach, Turner Beach, Jolly Harbo and the coast around Point Johnson, as well as Rendezvous Bay and Doigs Beach. Even a short walk along the Rendezvous Trail, through over thirty varieties of shrubs and trees, including giant specimens of mahogany, will reveal some of the most beautiful shores and panoramas the island has to offer. There are also a lot of birds that give this area of \u200b\u200bthe island a special "wildness". Southwest of the capital, a narrow isthmus leads to the large Five Island Peninsula, named so because of the five stones that protrude from the sea at some distance from the coast. The barren and arid landscape of the peninsula would be completely uninteresting if it were not for the many small cozy beaches, the large rock in the shape of the head of a turtle-bisse that gave its name to Hawksboll Bay, and the proximity of the capital and Fort Barrington, which can be reached from here in 15 minutes ...
Attractions Barbuda
Island of barbudalies 42 km north of Antigua. This quiet, pastoral-rural island, which is home to only 2% of the country's population, is very rarely visited by tourists - mainly bird watchers and yachtsmen come here. Nevertheless, this small piece of land in the endless expanse of the sea is considered one of the most colorful islands on the planet, and its eight-kilometer Long Beach is also one of the most beautiful shores in the world.
Codrington
More like a village capital of the island, Codrington was named after the Gloucestershire family that once leased Barbuda to the British crown for "one fat pig a year." Now it is still the same quiet town as at the end of the 19th century, the main decoration of which are numerous beautiful one-story houses (many owners paint them in their own color), and the Government House (1694), which lies in the center of the town, behind the post office. Unfortunately, the Government House, which recently housed the Holy Trinity School, was badly damaged by Hurricane Louis in 1995, and is being rebuilt rather slowly. The town also has several guesthouses, a handful of restaurants, bars and shops, but overall it is extremely quiet and deserted, only reviving on Sundays, when the traditional cricket competition is held on the field near Trinity School.
5 km north of the capital, in the highest part of the island (45 m), lies Codrington House (1720), also known as "Willie Bob" or "Mountain House". From this, once a large slave estate of the Codrington, only a box of walls and a large cistern for water have survived to this day. But on the other hand, an excellent panorama of the coastline of Barbuda and the island itself opens from here. Also of interest is the Martello Tower (1745-1850) 5 km south of Codrington, once part of the island's fortification system. The tower has a high platform (total height about 10 m) and extremely thick walls, but the inside is empty. Cape Spanish Points is the most southeastern point of Barbuda and is possibly named after the Spanish galleon "Santiago de Calerín", which sank in these places in 1695. At the bottom of the sea, as a result, there were more than 13 thousand gold pesos, which the ship was carried as payment to the Spanish garrisons in Maracaibo. An incredible expanse of pristine sand and sparkling water stretches from Codrington to Spanish Points, including Low Bay and many other superb shores.
The bush, which covers almost the entire territory of the island, provides shelter for a vast animal community by local standards - deer and wild pigs, earthen turtles and wild cats are found here. Feral cattle roam everywhere, as well as village sheep and goats, independently returning to their pens in the evening. There are several salt lakes, where a large variety of birds usually gather, and the rare frigate bird (Fregata magnificans) nests in the lagoons, whose colony numbers about 2,500 here (it is believed to be the largest frigate colony in the world). The coastal waters of the island are rich in crustaceans and numerous species of tropical fish.
Caves
Barbuda, almost entirely composed of limestone rocks, abounds in caves. There are two vast underground complexes - at Castle Hill and at Two Foot Bay. The voids in Too Foot Bay are a small entrance, followed by a huge cave filled with stalactites and fossils. The ancient inhabitants of Barbuda used the caves for housing for centuries. In the "Indian Cave" you can see the petroglyphs left by the "Arawak" or "Siboni" tribes. Derby Cave lies just 5 kilometers northeast of Codrington, a vertical drift formed by karst activity. The mouth of the cave with a diameter of more than 100 meters has a depth of more than 21 meters, while the stalagmites reach 2.5 meters in length. The vegetation around the cave resembles a rainforest full of palms, ferns and lianas. Dark Cave Cave lies 3.6 km south of Derby Cave and has a narrow entrance leading to a vast cave occupied by a pool of clear water that was used as a source of fresh water by the Indians. The cave is home to several rare crustacean species, including the unique blind shrimp.
Indian Cave is by far the most interesting prehistoric site in Barbuda. The entrance to this cave is located near the top of a low cliff. Behind it begins the Drop-Cavern cave, and behind it - the Bat-Chamber cave with a height of about 10 m. From the main corridor to the east there is a short narrow drift, in which petroglyphs were found, which are attributed to the Arawak culture. Further, the passage leads to another cave, which is illuminated by sunlight through holes in the roof.
Redonda
A tiny and virtually uninhabited volcanic rock known as Redonda, lies 56 km southwest of Barbuda. The island is practically not visited by tourists, only yachtsmen are frequent guests of these waters. Currently, a natural park is located on Redonda.
Reefs and natural attractions of Antigua and Barbuda
Both Antigua and Barbuda are almost completely surrounded by coral reefs, numerous underwater banks and rocks, and therefore abound with shipwrecks. The southern and eastern coasts of Antigua, and virtually the entire coast of Barbuda, are surrounded by shelf shallows providing excellent diving and snorkelling conditions. Most of Antigua's shores, with their white sand and gentle slope, are sheltered from the sea by coral reefs, and all are free (at least officially). The main places for beach recreation are Dickenson Bay and Runway Bay on the east coast, Deep Bay and Hawkesbill west of St. John's, and Darkwood Beach in the south of Jolly Harbor. On the east coast, the main seaside destination is Half Moon Bay, and in English Harbor - Galleon Beach and isolated Paige Beach... Distant beaches, including the north end of Dickenson Bay and Hawkesbill Beach, are nudist beaches.
Good snorkeling and diving conditions can be found in the area Sunken Rock and Cape Shirleyas well as off the southern coast of Antigua. Moreover, many dive zones are very close to the shore, rarely more than fifteen minutes away by boat. And the underwater world of the islands is truly magnificent - there are numerous colorful reef inhabitants, including parrot fish, angelfish, wrasse and barracuda, practically safe nurse sharks and, if you are lucky, of course, you can even meet dolphins and sea turtles. The reefs are mostly largely untouched and although the depths are shallow, there are some good sea canyons and shipwrecks.
The sheltered west coast of Antigua is perfect for beginner surfers, while the windswept east coast is famous for its constant winds and is perfect for experienced surfers. Another common type of recreation is sport fishing in the ocean, the main objects of which are marlin, tuna and king mackerel "wahoo".
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Antigua and Barbuda
- Royal shipyards
