Rendezvous Bay

Rendezvous Bay is one of Antigua's great hidden beaches, a wide arc of soft white sand and calm, clear water on the south coast between Falmouth and Carlisle Bay. What sets it apart is its isolation: there is no road to the sand, so it stays undeveloped, pristine, and often completely empty.

Reaching it is part of the appeal. Most visitors hike in over the hills from the English Harbour area, a roughly 30 to 45 minute walk on a rough trail, while others arrive by boat or kayak. The effort keeps the crowds away, and on many days you may have this beautiful beach almost to yourself.

The bay is sheltered and the water calm, excellent for swimming, with green hills and palm trees framing the sand. There are no facilities of any kind, so you must bring everything you need, including plenty of water, food, and sun protection, and carry out all your trash. For travelers willing to make the trek, Rendezvous Bay delivers a rare sense of seclusion and unspoiled Caribbean beauty.

If you hike, set off early to avoid the midday heat, wear sturdy shoes, and follow the trail that climbs from the Falmouth side; there is no lifeguard and no phone signal in places, so it is wise to go with others and tell someone your plans. Many visitors take the easier option of a boat or kayak from the English Harbour area, which doubles as a scenic mini-excursion. Either way, the payoff is the same: a pristine, undeveloped beach that feels a world away from the resorts, and on a quiet day, the sense that you have found a corner of Antigua almost nobody else reaches.