A Complete Guide to Visiting Antigua with Kids
/If you’re looking for the best things to do in Antigua, you’re in the right place. This guide to visiting Antigua covers all of the best things to do, where to stay, and a detailed map. While we live in Barbados, we recently had the privilege of exploring this beautiful island for four days, with two adults and three kids in tow (ages 8, 9, and 2). After a lot of research and fun, let me help you plan the best things to do in Antigua and Barbuda!
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Antigua is home to 365 Beaches! A beach for everyday of the year!
Antigua is home to 365 beaches - one for everyday of the year. The island and it’s sister, Barbuda, are known for their pristine shores, vibrant marine life, and family-friendly resorts. On this family vacation you can choose between beach days, island adventures, historic landmarks, and even sunset cruises.
Antigua is absolutely stunning
Whether you're traveling as a family or seeking an adventurous escape, Antigua delivers on every level. Here are all of our favorite spots and experiences, complete with tips for making your family trip to Antigua smooth and unforgettable. We traveled to Antigua with a toddler and 2 kids!
Check out my Instagram for more videos and photos of Antigua!
Here are the best things to do in Antigua.
Table of Contents
Click any Activity Below to Jump to it’s description and see images!
Map of Things to do in Antigua
The Suites at Buccaneer BEach Resort have a full kitchen and separate sleeping area! We stayed in the garden view suite
Where to Stay in Antigua
We stayed spent four nights at Buccaneer Beach Club on on the North West part of the island. We stayed in the Garden View Suite.
Buccaneer Beach Club
Buccaneer Beach Resort is directly on dickeson bay in antigua.
Buccaneer Beach Club is a highly rated 3-star resort nestled along the shores of Dickenson Bay in Antigua, offering guests an amazing beachfront retreat.
The resort features 18 accommodations, including one-bedroom suites with garden or pool views and two-bedroom beachfront cottages. Each suite is thoughtfully designed with a spacious bedroom, separate living area, fully equipped kitchenette, and a furnished balcony or patio, providing families with a comfortable and home-like environment. Buccaneer Beach Club is a great hotel for a family trip to Antigua!
the buccaneer beach club is the best place for families to stay in antigua. With separate sleeping areas and a full kitchen.
Buccaneer Beach Club provides a private area equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing beach experience. Guests can also enjoy the free-form outdoor pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens, creating a serene oasis for relaxation.
this is directly outside the gate of buccaneer beach club. They have chairs and a gorgeous beach front area.
While we stayed at the amazing Buccaneer Beach Club, I would love to go back with more time and try out other hotels around the island. Specifically, I would like to stay at the Siboney Beach Club next door to Buccaneer or try the all-inclusive Royalton Antigua where they have on-site babysitting services and a kids pool!
If you’d like to check out other family friendly hotels in Antigua, use the map below to find an accommodation that fits your group size and budget.
How to Get Around Antigua
We rented a car with Thrifty. The process was seamless, and the vehicle was perfect for navigating the island’s bumpy roads. We picked our car up at the airport which took about 30 minutes and drop off before our flight home was less than 10 minutes. We had a Nissan SUV and it was great for our family of five.
In my opinion, having your own car is essential for exploring Antigua, as public transport is limited and the sights are spread across the island. Antigua does drive on the left side of the road (opposite of the USA), so keep that in mind when planning to self drive.
Another way to see the island is to hire a private driver. Many of the taxi drivers will also take you around for a day or you can book tours where drivers will pick you up. We did a tour with Cleo at Discover 268 and it was excellent. Choosing a tour guide can make your day a bit more relaxing as they do the driving for you.
What to do in Antigua
Antigua is incredibly pretty and I could not believe the number of beaches. The island offers a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. You won’t have to look hard to find what to do in Antigua - from a visit to Fort Barrington to swimming with Sting Rays to exploring one of Antigua’s 4 National Parks. One things we absolutely loved about Antigua was hanging out by the beach at the English Harbor.
Devi'l’s Bridge national park in antigua
the hike isn’t for all abilities - but the hike is worth the views
Fort Barrington
We made 20-25 minute drive from Dickenson Bay over to Fort Barrington. The drive isn’t long, but toward the end the road is rutted and rough. Be prepared to drive carefully and slowly! The bumpy drive is worth the incredible panoramic views of Deep Bay and the experience of Antigua’s colonial past.
the family at fort barrington
In order to reach the top of Fort Barrington, you will have to do a little hiking and rock scrambling. We easily did this with our 3 kids (ages 2, 9, 8) but if you have someone with mobility issues, they likely won’t be able to make it up. A small section does have a rope to help get you up.
Fort Barrington has some incredible ocean views
Fort Barrington was built in the 18th century and strategically positioned on the western coast of Antigua to protect St. John's Harbor from naval attacks. The Fort is named after Admiral Samuel Barrington and was used by British forces until the 19th century.
fort barrington
Fort Barrington Tips for Visiting
- Parking is Free
- Entry is Free
- Hiking is required to reach the Fort
- Plan to spend 30-60 minutes here
Catherine’s Cafe, Playground, and Falmouth Harbor
Catherine’s Cafe is located on the shores of falmouth harbor
A must see in Antigua is the Falmouth Harbor. Luckily the banks of the harbor are packed with cute shops, restaurants, and nice beaches to catch some rays.
Start at Catherine’s Cafe for brunch. Here you will find an oasis complete with Nespresso coffees, beach loungers, and excellent food. You can choose to eat at a table or down lounging by the beach. We went on a Sunday where they serve brunch from opening until 12 and serve the lunch menu starting at 11.
the food at Catherine’s cafe was really really good
After you get full, take a stroll next door to the playground. This play park is located on Pigeon Point Beach. They have swings, a tire swing, a play structure, and a zip line type play structure.
Do not forget your swim suits! Pigeon Point beach is GORGEOUS and I forgot our swim gear so we weren’t able to take a dip in Falmouth Harbor.
it was overcast when we went, but you can see the harbor directly behind the play park
Visit Nelson's Dockyard National Park
Nelson’s Dockyard and surrounding sites is an absolute must do in Antigua. Not only is it one of Antigua’s National Parks, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. You can find it in the register as: The Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites.
Nelson’s Dockyard is the only continuously working Georgian Era dockyard in the world. You can watch the dockyard at work on your visit - from private leisure sail boats to fishing boats - the English Harbor is home to all.
Nelson’s Dockyard is a very family friendly spot in Antigua. They have plaques throughout the site explaining what each historic building is and has been. They have a great museum, a couple of restaurants and hotels, and you can sit on the dock and watch the boats work.
Nelson’s Dockyard Information
HOURS: 9AM - 4PM Daily
COST: $15 USD Per Adult and admission includes access to Shirley Heights and the Blockhouse
Hike to the Pillars of Hercules
the pillars of hercules is located on the east side of the english harbor
The Pillars of Hercules are one of the most unique things to see in Antigua. The pillars are made mostly of limestone and were shaped over thousands of years by the continual forces of wind, rain, and crashing waves.
our family standing on top of the pillars of hercules in antigua
To get to the top of the pillars, you can park at the entrance to Galleon Beach. From there, it’s only about a 15-20 minute walk. I followed the trail on Google Maps easily. One thing to remember is that from the pinnacle of the hike, you won’t actually see the Pillars. I had to fly my drone out to look back to see the Pillars.
You can see if you follow the curve of the shore around galleon beach and keep going, you will end up at the pillars! (Galleon beach is along the english harbor)
You can absolutely get down to walk in front of the Pillars. Some say it’s risky, but many people do do it. It’s up to you. If you choose to go down there, the hike is also easy. Instead of taking the path up to the top, follow the beach until you can’t see Galleon Beach behind you. Keep going. You’ll do a little rock scrambling and then you’ll be there! Most likely you’ll have the place to yourself.
Another popular choice is to take a boat tour where you can snorkel at Pillars of Hercules!
Pro Tip:
Consider spending some time at Loose Cannon Beach Bar where you can grab some drinks and beach loungers and get better parking. Tell the lady at the gate you’re getting food or drinks and you should be able to drive through.
the english harbor is absolutely stunning
Check Out the Blockhouse and Shirley Heights
After hiking up to the Pillars of Hercules, we drove the short drive up to the block house and Shirley Heights. There is a gate guard checking for National Park tickets, so be sure you don’t throw away your Nelson’s Dockyard tickets!
The Blockhouse is part of the Shirley Heights military complex. This area was a crucial defensive structure built in 1789, continuously occupied until 1854, and served as a first line of defense against potential French attacks. Looped in with Nelson’s Dockyard, the area also became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.
the views from the blockhouse are incredible
The views from Shirley Heights and the Blockhouse are the most iconic views in Antigua. This is definitely a can’t miss spot in Antigua.
exploring antigua’s blockhous and shirley heights
We had originally planned to stay for dinner at Shirley Heights, but the kids were so tired and worn out from a long day of exploring that we ended up driving the 45 minutes back to our hotel and having dinner at a food truck.
Shirley Heights Sunset Party
On Sunday’s Shirley Heights Lookout Restaurant is home to a sunset party. They have performers like a reggae/soca band and a steelpan group. This is very popular things to do in Antigua! Highly recommend if you can make it!
Beach Day
the lower pools sit along the river, so while you soak you get to hear the sounds of the river
We spent our second full day in Antigua on the beach and at the pool! Did you know Antigua has 365 beaches? Crazy!
If you’re looking for a great beach to spend that day at I suggest Dickenson Bay, Galleon Beach, Long Bay Beach, Deep Bay Beach, or Jolly Beach. Don’t forget to check out Pigeon Point Beach while you’re over at the Nelson’s Dockyard area. All of these are incredible beaches with pristine clear water and white sandy beaches!
our hotel was right on dickenson bay beach and we loved it so much
At Galleon beach you can get food and drinks while out on loungers at Loose Cannon Beach Bar. Long Bay Beach you can grab food and drinks at Long Bay Restaurant and Bar or the Pineapple Beach Club. At Jolly Beach, be sure to check out the Nest Beach Bar or Sheer Rocks for a drink and food.
this is from the gorgeous galleon beach in the english harbor
We were partial to Dickenson Bay because our hotel was directly on the beach here. I loved the convenience of it. We could walk out to our hotel’s loungers, take 10 steps and grab food or drinks from the Salt Plage. There was a local vendor selling different things right there, you can swim out (adults only) to the floating tiki bar, or just walk along the expanse of white beaches. Right where we were they had a floating pier where the kids would swim out and jump it. It was such great spot.
COSTS: It’s approximately $10 per person to soak and we did not have a time limit.
TIPS: Bring your own towels and be sure to have water to drink while you soak. We all also wore water shoes in the pools.
on the right is the jumping pier in dickenson bay and on the left is deep bay beach. Another incredible beach in antigua.
READ NEXT: The Best Things to do in Grenada with Kids
Betty's Hope Windmill
Betty's Hope is a sugarcane plantation in Antigua. It was establish in 1650 and became an agricultural empire during the centuries of slavery. This historic plantation was the first large scale sugar plantation to operate in Antigua.
the windmill at betty’s hope
Here you can learn about the history of the Codrington Family who owned the sugar mill, learn about the slaves who worked the planation and their contributions to the empire, and walk through some of the old facilities that are still standing. There is a small museum to check out with artifacts found on the property.
the ruins of the original governer’s quarters at betty’s hope
Parking is abundant and there is a nice restroom located next to the museum. This is a family friendly attraction in Antigua and a must see to better understand the full history of this gorgeous island.
COST: A suggested donation of $2 USD per person is suggested for a visit to Betty’s Hope
the museum at betty’s hope has many artifacts from when it operated as a large scale sugar plantation
the view of nevis from the ferry over
Stingray City and Feed Giant Tortoises
As soon as we booked our trip to Antigua, I knew we we had to see the stingrays. This is one of the most popular things to do in Antigua for families. It is safe for all ages. I did the Stingray City tour with a toddler in Antigua. Actually, I did it with a toddler and 2 young kids by myself! It was fun!
the water at the sandbar is easy to stand in and hold a baby on your hip! you will be getting close to the stingrays, maybe even touching them!
For this, you’ll need to make a reservation for a tour. You can choose between the Stingrays only or you can do a dual pass that includes the turtles! You’ll show up about 30 minutes before your schedule tour to get yourself organized before the boat trip.
the boat ride is fun and the water is gorgeous!
After a safety briefing, everyone heads out and loads up on to their assigned boat. The ride out is fast (literally the boat goes fast ha!) and then you’re out on a shallow sandbar. There is a floating dock where you can enter the water or stand on to look down into the water if you don’t want to get in the water.
i used my insta 360 to get some videos of our time with the stingrays
Once you get to the sand bar, you can exit the boat and climb down into the water. Here the guides are feeding the stingrays or helping you hold one for a photo. The water does get quite crowded, so my PRO TIP would be to get off the boats as quickly as possible to be one of the first people in the water. Not only only will you get a more one on one experience with the stingrays, the water will be way more clear.
be sure to get a photo with the stingray, but it will cost you $18 USD for a digital copy
The stingray encounter lasts between 30-45 minutes. Bring a water camera or get a waterproof phone case that can get wet! You’ll want to take video above and below water to see these awesome animals.
You are able to leave your towels and bags in the boats as they sit moored to the dock while you get in the water. However, not all of the boats have shade, so you could be in direct sun for at least an hour. Wear sunscreen!
feeding the giant tortoises was a family affair for sure
After we spent some time with the stingrays, we loaded up and our boat took us to Laviscount Island. It was maybe a 8 minute easy ride. Here on the island they have giant Aldabra tortoises that you get to interact with. We were given a short briefing all about the turtles before we got to go inside their enclosure and feed them.
*We were on the Combination Stingray & Laviscount Island Tortoise Tours
this is an activity for all ages and definitely something fun to do in antigua with toddlers and kids
The kids absolutely LOVED this. This is one of the best things to do in Antigua with kids for sure. The entire excursion on the island was about an hour. They gave us each a rum punch or a juice and restrooms are available on the island as well.
From Laviscount, the boat ride is about 2 minutes back to the main Stingray City compound.
If you’d rather feed giant tortoises than swim with stingrays, consider this private boating tour to Laviscount Island and Hell’s Gate.
the guide kept my toddler close and helped him feed the tortoises!
Visit Devil's Bridge National Park
You can’t miss a stop to witness the power and beauty of devil’s bridge
Devil’s Bridge is a one of the must see spots in Antigua. Why? Well, it’s been a part of Antiguan history for years, both dark and light. This geological formation is an actual bridge. There is a waterspout in the rock that has been eroded for thousands of years creating an actual bridge formation.
It’s history does have some dark, but important roots. Antiguans believe this is the spot African slaves would go to jump in to the sea. They believed that jumping into the insanely rough waters at Devil’s Bridge would bring their bodies back to Africa after they perished. They believed the currents across the Atlantic would sweep them home.
the rocks at devil’s bridge are rough and some are wet. use caution and do not get near the edge.
Devil’s Bridge is a stop that will take 20-30 minutes. You’ll walk out to the bridge and look at it, take some photos, and then peruse the little shops near parking. The shops are so cute and the women working there have many Antiguan souvenirs.
If you’re visiting Antigua around Easter, try to get to Devil’s Bridge for the Annual Kite Festival! This festival will see the skies filled with colorful and traditional home-made kites, as the young and the young at heart participate in this Easter Monday tradition.
Pro Tips for Devil’s Bridge National Park
- Plan for 20-30 minutes here
- There is no Entry Fee
- There are Restrooms On-Site
- Bring a little cash to support the local shops on site
Check out my Instagram for more videos and photos of Antigua!
Explore Fort James
Fort James is at the entrance to the St John’s harbour. The fort was built by the British to guard the harbor in the 18th century.
fort james is stunning
Today, Fort James one of the more easily accessible forts on the island. You do not need to hike, you can park at it’s entry gate and walk in. The fort has several gorgeous cannons, a few crumbling buildings, and an absolutely stunning view of the ocean.
Plan to spend 30-60 minutes walking around the fort grounds and definitely bring your camera!
we loved all of the cannons at fort james in antigua
Visit Weatherhills Windmill and Have Lunch
On our final morning in Antigua, we decided to pop over to Weatherhills Rekindled. This hotel has a fabulous restaurant that is open to the public. The food was really good and the service was stellar. We recommend the pulled pork sandwich or the shrimp po boy - both are very good.
The main reason we visited was to see their old sugar mill. This windmill has been gutted and now guests can climb up and see the views from the top. It’s a 2 story climb and worth every step! Weatherhills is a great way to get up close with Antiguan history.
the views from the top of weatherhills windmill
They have ample parking. There are very clean restrooms by the restaurant. You can even stay at their boutique hotel!
the weatherhills estate is gorgeous. I would love to come back and stay at their hotel
READ NEXT: What to in Barbados with Kids
Antigua is a paradise for anyone seeking a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. From swimming with Stingrays to 365 pristine beaches to historic architecture and good vibes — Antigua has it all.
We had dinner here twice and breakfast twice! The food is great, the views are awesome and the kids played the entire time. Location: The Salt Plage
You may ask - is Antigua good for families? Absolutely, yes! I traveled here with 3 kids and had the best time.
Many people also wonder - is Antigua Safe? Yes. We never felt unsafe!
Whether hiking the island peaks, exploring historical treasures like Fort Barrington or Nelson’s Dockyard, or feeding giant Aldabra tortoises, you’re going to love Antigua.
the famous phone booth at siboney beach club
So, pack your sunscreen and adventurous spirit and get ready for one of the most incredible Caribbean vacations!
Check out my Instagram for more videos and photos of Antigua!
Have you ever been to Antigua or Barbuda? What is your favorite place to visit on either island? Leave me a comment and let me know!
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