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 other beaches require clothing, though children under 16 are not allowed on resort property. As everywhere on the island the sand is public, even though the Hawksbill resort fronts the main beach, but access to the other three beaches is through Hawksbill Hotel Resort.

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, start at Royal Palm Beach; the other three are accessed through Hawksbill Hotel Resort. 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.