Hawksbill Beach

Hawksbill is a cluster of four small beaches strung along the Five Islands peninsula, named for an offshore rock formation that resembles the beak of a hawksbill turtle. Each cove has its own character, from busy resort sand to secluded pockets, and the calm leeward water is clear and good for swimming and snorkeling around the rocky points.

The fourth and most remote of the beaches is Antigua's only clothing-optional (nudist) beach, reached by a short walk beyond the resort. The others are family-friendly and easy to enjoy. As everywhere on the island the sand is public, even though the Hawksbill resort fronts the main beach, so you are welcome to walk the coves and swim.

The peninsula setting gives Hawksbill a peaceful, away-from-it-all feel, with green headlands framing each bay and the distinctive turtle-shaped rock offshore. Snorkeling is good along the rocky edges where fish gather. Public facilities are limited outside the resort, so bring water and an umbrella, and the gentle west-coast sunsets are a fine way to end a visit.

To explore all four coves, plan to walk between them along the shoreline and rocky paths, which is part of the fun and helps you find a quieter patch of sand. There is no lifeguard, but the leeward water is usually calm. The beaches are a short drive from St. John's, with limited parking, so arrive earlier on busy days. Snorkelers should bring their own gear, since the best fish life clusters around the points rather than off the main beach. Quiet, scenic, and a little secret, Hawksbill rewards visitors who like to wander.