The Top Seven Most Instagrammable Spots in Antigua and Barbuda
Breathtaking Antigua and Barbuda is a paradise packed with divine beaches, charming towns and the most turquoise water you’ll ever see. Few destinations are more visually delightful than these twin island gems. Every vista is eminently Insta-worthy, but a few are especially deserving of being called the most Instagrammable. We’ve compiled a list of the seven most intriguing spots to bring some life back to your Instagram feed. Come discover the most spectacular locations in Antigua and Barbuda (in no particular order); your followers will thank you!
Pink Sand Beach, Barbuda
Photo: courtesy Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
If Barbie had a dream island it would be Barbuda. For your next photo opportunity, it’s time to head to this remote and quaint island to bask in the beauty of its pink sand beaches. What the island lacks in size it makes up for in stunning beaches and the pink ones are truly a treat for the eyes. The natural colour originates from crushed coral from nearby reefs that washes up in torrents on the existing white sand. It is a natural marvel and an easy ferry ride from its sister island, Antigua. Throw on a matching bikini and pack a picnic: you and your travel companions will most likely have the entire beach to yourselves.
Red Phone Booth on Dickenson Bay
Photo: courtesy Siboney Beach Antigua
Red telephone boxes most likely evoke a sense of nostalgia for the foggy London streets, black taxicabs and Big Ben of the past. It’s quite the juxtaposition then to find one on the powdery white sands of Dickenson Bay, in Antigua. Located near the Siboney Beach Club (and on the same stretch of beach as Royalton CHIC, Sandals Grande Antigua and Antigua Village), this red telephone box has become quite the Instagram sensation.
Boonji Spaceman at Hodges Bay Club
Photo: Antigua and Barbuda
Standing at 22 feet (6.7 m) and weighing 3,000 lbs (1,360 kg), the Boonji Spaceman, towering over the end of the pier at Hodges Bay, is a new addition to the landscape of Antigua and Barbuda having been installed in 2021. The work was commissioned by resort co-owner Christopher Harding and created by contemporary artist Brendan Murphy who said the piece "is a tribute to human ingenuity and resilience and is focused around my fascination with imagination." Striking a Michael Jackson-inspired dance pose, the towering sculpture is emblazoned with words and mathematical equations.
You too can snap a photo with the Spaceman if you book at the Hodges Bay Resort & Spa, a favourite haunt for celebrities like Ashanti, Andre Drummond, and Lisa Rinna.
Devil’s Bridge
Photo: courtesy Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
Stand in awe of the sublime power of nature at Devil’s Bridge, located outside the village of Wilikies on Antigua’s eastern coast. Composed of limestone rock, the barren and rugged terrain of Devil’s Bridge is the result of hundreds of thousands of years of Atlantic Ocean waves crashing against, and eroding, the cliff face. This has created blow holes and a narrow rock bridge. Local lore says the devil lives beneath the waves and if one were to throw an egg into the ocean it would come back up hardboiled. Though a popular backdrop for photos well-timed with the spray of the ocean, we suggest you keep a respectful distance from the rough Atlantic waves.
Stingray City
Photo: courtesy Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
Make a splash on social media with an unforgettable trip to Stingray City. Strike a pose with the graceful and photogenic Southern Rays and experience memories that will last a lifetime. These gentle and friendly creatures reside in the azure waters of Stingray City, a stunning open-ocean habitat the rays share with other magnificent animals like starfish and pufferfish. The crystal-clear water and colourful reefs are enough to make the cut but we recommend a snap with the rays themselves. Knowledgeable handlers are ready to help you pose with these elegant creatures and get the perfect angle.
The Barbuda Frigatebird Sanctuary
Photo: courtesy Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
A lively lagoon, just west of Barbuda’s capital town Codrington, is home to an avian theatre performance like no other! The Frigatebird Sanctuary is a bird watcher’s paradise, boasting the largest colony of magnificent Frigatebirds in the region. Accessible by a short and scenic boat ride, the sanctuary is home to an estimated 100,000 birds who migrate around the world but return to their birthplace to mate. The spirited mating display of these vibrant birds is the stuff of social media legend: the male inflates his signature crimson throat pouch to gigantic proportions and incorporates dancing, trumpeting, and wrestling into a can’t-miss production.
Shirley Heights
Photo: courtesy Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
The quintessential view of Antigua appearing on tourist brochures for over half-a-century, a snapshot from spectacular Shirley Heights will make you look and feel like you are on top of the world. The stunning view of English Harbour and the white sails dotting the turquoise water is the panoramic vista of your dreams. Time your visit to catch the sunset and watch the lights twinkle from the townships and sailboats below. You could also visit midday when the sun perfectly lights up the sea with vivid tones of blue. This historic military lookout stands 45 metres tall and is home to an exciting weekly Sunday party. The climb is steep, but the rewards are great with an impressive 360-degree view that will up your Instagram game.