Five Islands Peninsula
Five Islands Peninsula, just west of St. John's in Antigua, hides quiet resort coves: Hawksbill, Galley Bay, Deep Bay and Hermitage Bay. Seclusion near town.
Five Islands Peninsula
Five Islands Peninsula, just west of St. John's in Antigua, hides quiet resort coves: Hawksbill, Galley Bay, Deep Bay and Hermitage Bay. Seclusion near town.
The Five Islands Peninsula is a hilly finger of land jutting west from St. John's harbour, named for a small group of offshore rocks. It is one of the closest beach areas to the capital, yet it feels a world away: this is a quiet, low-density part of Antigua given over to a handful of secluded resorts and some of the island's loveliest sheltered coves. If your priority is calm, scenic seclusion within easy reach of town, this peninsula is the answer.
Its beaches are the headline. Hawksbill Beach takes its name from the offshore rock shaped like a turtle's head and is one of several stretches of sand on the Hawksbill resort estate, including a secluded clothing-optional cove. Galley Bay is a long, romantic strand that can pick up surf, while horseshoe-shaped Deep Bay, with the wreck of the Andes lying just below its surface, is a favourite for snorkellers.
Tucked at the far western tip is Hermitage Bay, an exclusive hillside hideaway whose name has become shorthand for barefoot luxury in Antigua. The whole peninsula has this character: small, intimate properties set above private bays, with little in the way of nightlife, traffic or crowds. What you trade in convenience you gain in peace.
Because the peninsula sits right beside St. John's, you are never far from shops, dining or the cruise port, and the rest of the island opens up quickly by car. The neighbouring beaches of Deep Bay and the ruins of Fort Barrington on the headland make for an easy walk and a fine sunset viewpoint over the bay.
Five Islands is best for honeymooners, couples and anyone after quiet luxury. It is not a strip of bars and watersports vendors; it is a string of private-feeling coves where the loudest sound is usually the surf. Bring a car, or be happy to stay put at your resort, and enjoy the calm.
Practical information
Top attractions
Beaches here
Deep Bay
A sheltered, horseshoe-shaped bay on the Five Islands peninsula with a shipwreck resting in the middle of the bay, snorkelable from shore. Calm water, a hilltop fort, and a quiet, scenic setting.
Galley Bay
A long, wild west-coast beach with a more dramatic surf than most leeward bays. A romantic, resort-fronted stretch known for spectacular sunsets and a turtle-nesting lagoon behind the sand.
Hawksbill Beach
Four calm coves in one, named for an offshore rock shaped like a hawksbill turtle's beak. The quiet Five Islands peninsula has good rocky-point snorkeling and Antigua's only clothing-optional beach.
Hermitage Bay Beach
A hidden crescent of pale sand tucked into the green hills of Antigua's far west coast, where the Caribbean lies glassy and still and the sunsets glow straight off the water.
Where to eat
Where to stay
Galley Bay Resort & Spa
★★★★Adults-only all-inclusive resort on a three-quarter-mile beach backed by a bird sanctuary lagoon and tropical gardens. Suits couples after upscale quiet rather than nightlife, with four restaurants and well-reviewed dining led by a Michelin-trained chef.
Hawksbill by Rex Resorts
★★★Adults-only all-inclusive resort set across 37 acres of gardens with four separate white-sand beaches, one of them clothing-optional. Suits couples wanting a quiet, unpretentious Caribbean week with strong staff service over polished mega-resort luxury.
Five Islands Peninsula questions
What is the Five Islands Peninsula known for?
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It is known for quiet, secluded beaches and intimate resorts just west of St. John's. Hawksbill, Galley Bay, Deep Bay and the luxury hideaway of Hermitage Bay are all here. The peninsula is low-key and uncrowded, prized by couples and travellers who want calm and seclusion close to the capital.
Is Five Islands good for couples and honeymoons?
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Yes, it is one of the most romantic parts of Antigua. The peninsula is dominated by small, private-feeling resorts set above quiet bays, with little nightlife or crowds. That makes it ideal for honeymooners and couples seeking barefoot luxury and privacy rather than a busy resort strip.
Can I snorkel at the Five Islands beaches?
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Yes. Deep Bay is a particular favourite because the wreck of the Andes lies in shallow water just off the beach and is easy to snorkel. The coves around Hawksbill and the rocky headlands also offer good snorkelling when the sea is calm. Bring or rent gear, as facilities are limited.
Do I need a car if I stay at Five Islands?
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It helps. The peninsula is quiet and resorts are spread out, with limited dining and shops outside the hotels, so a rental car gives you freedom to reach St. John's and the rest of the island. If you are happy to stay put at an all-inclusive resort, you can manage without one and use taxis occasionally.
Keep reading
Travel Guides
Helpful guides for planning your trip to Five Islands Peninsula
ExperiencesAntigua Sailing & Yachting Guide
Antigua sailing centers on English and Falmouth Harbours, with steady 12 to 20 knot trade winds, bareboat and crewed charters, and anchorages out to Barbuda.
Areas & IslandsAntigua Cruise Port Guide for St. John's
Antigua cruise port sits at Heritage and Redcliffe Quay, a 5-minute walk into St. John's, with a day plan for Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights, and a beach.
PlanningAntigua All-Inclusive Resorts: How to Choose Your Area
Antigua all-inclusive resorts differ by area: five zones from calm Dickenson Bay to sailing-town English Harbour, matched to family or adults-only stays.
PlanningAntigua on a Budget: Costs & Money Tips
Antigua on a budget means EC dollars, public buses, free beaches by law, and cook-shop meals, with price ranges so a trip costs a fraction of resort rates.
Antigua Diving and Snorkeling Guide: Reefs and Wrecks
Antigua diving and snorkeling guide: Cades Reef, the Andes wreck, Stingray City, shore-snorkel beaches, PADI operators, courses, and when conditions are best.