Jolly Harbour & the Southwest

Jolly Harbour is a purpose-built marina and resort village on the calm west coast of Antigua, in Saint Mary parish. It is one of the island's most self-contained spots: a working marina, a golf course, a supermarket, restaurants and a network of canal-side villas all sit within walking or buggy distance of each other. For visitors who want a base with amenities but more elbow room than the northern resort strip, this stretch of coast is a strong pick.

The real draw is the run of west-facing beaches, which catch Antigua's best sunsets. Jolly Beach is the long, lively strand beside the village. Drive a little south and the coast delivers a string of beauties: Valley Church Beach with its bright turquoise shallows, Ffryes Beach and its beach restaurants, the long sweep of Darkwood Beach with its famous local bar, and quieter Turners Beach. Most have calm, clear water and at least one casual spot for grilled fish and a cold beer.

Beyond the sand, the Jolly Harbour Golf Club offers an 18-hole course, and the marina is a hub for sailing, fishing charters and dive trips out to the west-coast reefs. This side of the island is sheltered from the trade winds, so the sea is usually flat and swimmable, the opposite of the rugged Atlantic east.

The southwest is also a good launch point for the island's green interior. The Fig Tree Drive rainforest road and the Wallings Nature Reserve are a short drive inland, as is the rainforest zipline. With sunset beaches on the doorstep and the historic south within reach, Jolly Harbour suits travellers who want a relaxed, beachy base with everything to hand.