What to do in Antigua and Barbuda (Podcast)

September 5, 2023

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Hear about journey to the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda because the Beginner Traveler talks to former park ranger Jeff Ohlfs about his latest journey.

Jeff says, “As you recognize, I’m very park centric. There’s plenty of stunning locations there to discover. There’s plenty of nature and historical past there. They’ve acquired the all inclusive resorts in every single place. So it’s a terrific Caribbean island, if you wish to get away and simply do the all inclusive and a seashore keep. I’m not that sort of an individual, however they’ve have 365 seashores, one for daily of the yr there.”

Jeff visited all 3 islands that make up the nation of Antigua and Barbuda: Antigua, Barbuda and the restricted uninhabited island of Redonda. He additionally made a facet journey to do an arial tour of the volcano on Montserrat.

We begin on the primary island of Antigua. Jeff stayed in the primary metropolis of St Johns which can also be the primary cruise ship port on the island. There have been 3 cruise ships on the town when he visited however it may get as many as 5. They’re glad to see these ships once more in Antigua because the overwhelming majority of the financial system comes from tourism.

Jeff centered on the nationwide parks and there are 4 on Antigua: Fort Barrington, the Megaliths Of Greencastle Hill, Satan’s Bridge Nationwide Park, and Nelson’s Dockyard. Nelson’s Dockyard can also be a UNESCO World Heritage website.

Fort Barrington is a part of the fortifications that protected St Johns and the island within the age of sail. Satan’s Bridge is a pure arch by the east coast. Close to Satan’s Bridge is the very best preserved of the outdated sugar plantations on the island: Betty’s Hope.

The Megaliths Of Greencastle Hill is the “Stonehenge of the Caribbean”. It isn’t clear what the operate of those standing stones was.

Nelson’s Dockyard is a protected bay on the south facet of the island that was renamed for Admiral Horatio Nelson who was stationed in Antigua for a part of his naval profession. You possibly can see the services that have been used to produce and preserve the British Navy. The dockyard nonetheless sees ships are available in for repairs however caters extra now to the yachting crowd.

The ultimate nationwide park in Antigua and Barbuda is Codrington Lagoon Nationwide Park on the island of Barbuda. This space is a nesting spot for seabirds like frigate birds. Jeff noticed Barbuda on a tour that included stopping on the park, the pink seashore, the ocean caves and Princes Diana Seaside.

Jeff did one other day journey out to Redonda however for this one you will want each particular permission and you will want to rent a helicopter. This rocky island has been residence to quite a few fowl species. There was a guano mining operation on the island however aside from that the island has not been inhabited. Jeff says that Redonda is named the “Galapagos of the Caribbean” because the birds there will not be afraid of individuals.

On the identical journey to Redonda, Jeff took a helicopter tour of Montserrat. Montserrat’s fundamental metropolis of Plymouth which was deserted in 1997 due to volcanic eruptions. It was then principally buried in ash. A lot of the island remains to be a volcanic exclusion zone. Visiting has been troublesome within the time of COVID due to their coverage of a 5 day quarantine.

Whether or not you come for the seashores, the historical past or the rum, hear why Antigua within the Lesser Antilles is likely to be a enjoyable place to take in the solar.

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