Beautiful Barbuda – the Caribbean island for Princesses
What are the best things to do in Barbuda? This is the island with probably the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and its definitely a place to stop for longer than a day-tour from Antigua. Apart from the beaches being beyond gorgeous, here life truly lets you stand still and revitalise just by being.
If you want to explore or have some action, there are plenty of things to do in Barbuda, but it is absolutely a place for getting away from it all and soaking in nature – truly!
Keep reading for the 10 best things to do in Barbuda
First – why for Princesses?
Because Princess Diana of England used to bring her sons William and Harry here (to get away from it all) – it is quiet, untrammeled, unassuming and totally beautiful. Barbuda has seemingly little but has so much – for the wild life lover the frigate colony and upside down jellyfish, for the diver, more wrecks than any other Caribbean island, for the kite surfer good winds, for the beach goes, the most stunning white and pink beaches you can find, for the adventurer, an island that is wild and untamed by tourism.
Details on where to stay and how to get here etc are all in the Barbuda Wild Side Guide. Meanwhile this is the wild entertainment that awaits you in Barbuda – and first up of course we have the princess!
1. Zen at Princess Diana Beach
If you thought you had seen amazing beaches in the Caribbean, then think again – this is a whole new level of stunning pristine white sand – for miles. The water is clear and bright and blue – it is just stunning! At times the beach becomes a pink sand and pink shell beach – but this is variable between October and May, so a very gorgeous bonus if you get it.
The beach was originally known as Access Beach and Coco Point Beach, but renamed to Princess Diana Beach in 2011 to mark what would have been her 50th birthday. Swim, snorkel or just walk the sand and gaze at the water – its gorgeous. If you walk to the end of the beach to Coco Point you will see the leeward and windward side of the Island meet. (Note: The Barbuda Ocean Club at the end of the beach was definitely not friendly when we were there, so don’t bother going in – although things may have changed of course!)
There is a lack of shade but come early or later in the day or cover up – whatever you decide, it is a must do in Barbuda. There is a small beach shack on the beachfront called Shack-A-Kai, run by Enoch who BBQs amazing lobster (that he catches) and serves with a jacket potato. Top this off by timing it for sunset and with one (or more) his own rum punches. Unbeatable. Note: you must contact him ahead of time and book as he has to go and catch the lobster. He also offers some shade!
2. Cruise the Frigate Bird Sanctuary
Of course for me this was an absolute must do – but I cant imagine people not enjoying it. We went with local man George Jeffrey (268) 788-7067. George took us out on the lagoon from the main town of Codrington, first to the huge and full container that blew right across the very large lagoon in Hurricane Irma – it is unimaginable. (This may be removed but if not I’m sure you will see it.)
The frigate colony
We then went on to the frigate colony itself. I believer the one in the Galapagos is the only one larger than this – but this is so easily accessible (once you are here) and is huge. The sheer number of birds is incredible to see, and during the mating season you will get to see the males puffing up those big red chests – an amazing sight! You are so close to the birds – and they are so not bothered by your presence that it really is an unforgettable experience.
Note: The mating season is September to April, peaking in December.
And there are upside-down jellies!
As we meandered through the lagoon and colony, George also pointed out the very cool ‘upside down jellyfish’ – they really do swim around upside down! This enables the jelly to expose its algae to the sun, so that it can photosynthesize. These jellies like to live in shallow tropical water less than a meter deep, in sheltered coastal areas such as lakes, lagoons, or estuaries and often in areas surrounded by mangroves. This lagoon is exactly that! Do ask your guide to find some of these jellies for you.
And the real pink sand beach!
Finally George took us to the ‘other’ pink sand beach which is on the other side of the lagoon – not the one marked on google at Princess Diana Beach. Niiiice. George also explained a lot about the island and life there through the trip and it was just fantastic. It cost approximately US$50 for four people. (Note: It is an offence to go on your own boat to the sanctuary.)
3. Wander Low Bay or 11 Mile beach (and maybe pink sand)
This is absolutely an incredible beach – close by for those staying at the Barbuda Belle Luxury Hotel but accessible by a boat ride over the lagoon from Codrington. Crystal water, the softest sand, and the pinkest beach from October to May – and nobody there! No more to say – other than ‘just go!’ (Note the pink is actually little shells – just gorgeous.)
4. Drive or bike the island and see local life and the Martello Tower
The island has dramatically different coastlines from the eastern to western sides and it is worth just driving / biking around to see this and to take in the vegetation and get to some of the interesting sites- mostly covered in the following topics. You will see the local animals roaming – donkeys, goats, chicken, deer, and tortoise if its been raining. You will also see the Martello Tower on the south coast which was built in the early 1800’s. It was a defense base for the British, and it guarded the original river landing quay! Now there is a small stream nearby, but like the tortoises, only after wet weather!
5. Kitesurf or Surf
The word is getting out (more reason to go now) and the surfers and kite surfers are coming to Barbuda. Don’t worry – there still are few tourists all up. But with no crowds, miles of empty beaches and consistent strong winds of course its going to become known. Palmetto Point has the big swells at certain times so is the favourite with surfers. Low Bay / 11 Mile beach is better for kites.
6. Swim and Snorkel – of course!
You can try any of the beaches and snorkel out to the reef on the western / southern side of the island. We saw turtles, sting rays, eagle rays, and all kinds of fish off Princess Diana Beach and further north just off the road near Uncle Roddy’s and Emerald Sands.
I didn’t get there but other yachties said Gravenor Bay, further around to the east of Coco Beach was great snorkelling too!
7. Go Fishing
Your accommodation will be able to organise a fishing trip for you. Otherwise check out the local guides to organise this. Kingfish, mahi mahi, tuna, and barracuda are all close by. Fishing in Barbuda is done sustainably and note that any fishing here must be done on a licensed Barbudan boat which will ensure the local conservation practices are followed.
8. Explore Two Foot Bay National Park – the Caves and the ruins of Codrington House
Two Foot Bay is a wild and wonderful area to explore – bring a drink as its typically hot – except when you are in the caves. Drive along Two Foot Bay Road to the north and west of Codrington (about 7.5km or 4.5miles). You will see “The Highlands” on your right as you get close to the end of the road. the Highlands are a flat plateau above you – the highest point being 42 meters. (Keep going to the last road after the Frangipani Glamping and Tommy Hill roads on your left – you will see the Hillside Grill and Bar when you get there. (This probably wont be open so don’t get excited about having a drink when you have done your exploring!!)
Directions to the Highlands Cave
Park your car at the end of the road and walk around the beach area which is lovely in itself. Where you see a picnic area with a sea grape tree and rubbish bin / trash can is the first cave. Don’t give up if you don’t see it at first. Go into this cave and you will see the way to climb up through it to the plateau on the top of the Highlands. (Its not difficult but wear proper shoes.) The view out on the wild west Atlantic coast is fabulous!
Directions to Indian Cave
Back down the road a little bit is the Indian Cave. Drive or bike back down the road to a large rock. The cave is across the road to the left along a short path. Again, keep looking if you don’t find it first try. This cave has three chambers. You might see bats or iguanas in and around the caves. There are also drawings made by the original inhabitants of Barbuda – the Arawak or the Siboney Indians.
Directions to the Codrington House ruins
Finally, drive or bike back a bit further and you will come to a fairly main track to the left (heading back to Codrington). This is the track to the ruins of what was Codrington House. The locals call these ruins “Willy Bob” or “Highland House.” It was once the home of the Codrington family who had sugar plantations on Antigua and used the land here to produce food and supply extra slave labor to the sugar plantations!!
Once on the track, take the right fork just a few meters off the main road. Do not stress if you cannot find this – use google maps on satellite and it is very clear. Check that before you leave. Also ask your hosts before you leave.
9. Visit the incredible Darby Cave and Sink Hole
This is a very very cool thing to see! There is another sink hole a bit like it in Barbados which has been turned into a garden which is incredible in itself, but this is au naturel and awesome. The sink hole is about 90 meters wide (300ft) and 21 meters (70 ft) deep and is full of palms and other vegetation and animals! You stand on the edge and look down on top of the palms.
One side of the sink hole has formed an overhang a bit like a cave and there are stalactites coming down from this.
Go with a guide
I absolutely recommend taking a local guide for this. Although there are some markers, if you don’t have a good sense of direction you could easily get lost finding the sink hole. Its great to support the locals too given it is pretty hard to earn a living here. George was also very informative, as I am sure the other guides are too.
Going alone?
But if you are going alone, this is a very basic guide. First check it on google maps. If you have coverage enough you should be able to follow the satellite map. Start at the Codrington House ruins. Its a 45 min walk each way from here. Take the path between the second and third (of three) of the main out buildings (opposite the main house). If you stand at the end of the track you walked in on, the buildings are directly ahead and the path is on the right between the second and third. You should come to stone gates and see the red trail through the bush. There are a couple of places where the path branches – keep left. (There may be an arrow on the ground to help you but it may not be there any more.) The trail will lead you to the sink hole and down into it. Still, I think its best with a guide – especially if you want to also go to Dark Cave.
And there’s another one – Dark Cave
Dark Cave is about 3km (2 miles) from Darby Sinkhole. Unfortunately I didn’t get there, but it is apparently a huge cavern with a pool. They have found artefacts there and it is home to lots of bats and a rare species of Amphipod – the blind eye shrimp. Very cool!
10. Star gaze while camping at Frangipani Glamping
Well actually you can star gaze pretty much anywhere on the island except right in Codrington which has town light pollution like any other town. But Frangipani Glamping is a whole other layer of being at one with nature and is the absolutely ideal spot to star gaze. I simply loved this place, and if ever I go back without a yacht I will stay there. It is not on the idyllic beaches of the south of the island – more wild and woolly but you can swim and snorkel, and you are staying in a really cool arty glamping set up with absolutely nobody to disturb your peace! Check it out!
Bonus – Check out the Art Cafe
It’s worth mentioning as there is not only good food but lots of artistic pieces and souvenirs. Claire Frank, the owner and artist, is a longtime resident of the island and raised her family here and can give you all the info you would ever want on the island! Note that if it looks closed or the gates are closed – check. It probably isn’t closed at all – this is common in Barbuda!
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