Long Bay & the East
Long Bay and Antigua's wild east coast offer reef-calm swimming, the Half Moon Bay crescent, the Devil's Bridge blowhole and boat trips to Green Island.
Long Bay & the East
Long Bay and Antigua's wild east coast offer reef-calm swimming, the Half Moon Bay crescent, the Devil's Bridge blowhole and boat trips to Green Island.
The east coast is Antigua's wilder, more natural face, where the island meets the open Atlantic. Centred on the village of Willikies in Saint Philip parish, this corner trades the sheltered calm of the west for trade-wind breezes, bigger skies and a rugged, windswept beauty. It is less developed than the rest of the island, which is exactly its appeal for travellers who want scenery, space and a sense of the real Antigua.
Despite facing the Atlantic, the swimming can be superb. Long Bay, just north of Willikies, is protected by a fringing reef that turns the water inside into a calm, shallow, brilliantly clear lagoon, ideal for snorkelling straight off the sand. Further down the coast, Half Moon Bay is a near-perfect crescent and a designated national park: a livelier surf at one end, calmer water at the other, and a beautiful, mostly undeveloped sweep of sand often rated among the finest in the Caribbean.
The east's signature sight is Devil's Bridge, a natural limestone arch on the windward point near Indian Town, where centuries of Atlantic swell have carved the rock and now blast spray through blowholes. Offshore, boats run to Green Island, an uninhabited nature reserve with empty beaches and excellent snorkelling, reachable on kayak and catamaran trips.
History sits close by too. The restored sugar windmill of Betty's Hope, one of the island's oldest plantations, lies a short drive inland and tells the story of Antigua's sugar era. Together these make the east a rewarding day's exploring even if you are staying elsewhere.
As a base, the east suits independent travellers with a hire car who value nature and quiet over nightlife and resort buzz. Accommodation is thinner here, so many people visit on a day trip from the north or the harbours of the south. Either way, the windward coast is worth a full day of your itinerary.
Practical information
Top attractions
Beaches here
Half Moon Bay
A near-kilometre crescent of pale sand on the wild Atlantic east coast, protected as a National Park: surf and bodyboarding at the open end, calm swimming at the sheltered corner, and no resorts in sight.
Long Bay
A reef-protected beach on the easternmost point of the island, where the Atlantic breeze meets calm, shallow, turquoise water. Excellent for families and some of the best shore snorkeling in Antigua.
Green Island
An uninhabited offshore island reached only by boat, ringed with secluded white-sand coves and reefs. A protected, pristine spot for snorkeling, kitesurfing, and castaway-style seclusion.
Activities & experiences
Where to eat
Where to stay
Pineapple Beach Club Antigua
★★★★Adults-only, all-inclusive resort on 30 beachfront acres about a five minute walk from Long Bay, with three pools and a quarter mile of reef-calmed white sand. Suits couples wanting easy snorkeling and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere.
The Verandah Resort & Spa
★★★★Villa-style all-inclusive across 30 beachfront acres bordering Devil's Bridge National Park, near Long Bay. Every suite has an oversized private verandah with water views. A 16-plus resort that works for couples and multigenerational families over four pools and two reef-sheltered beaches.
Long Bay & the East questions
Is the east coast of Antigua good for swimming?
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Yes, in the right spots. Although the east faces the Atlantic, Long Bay is protected by a fringing reef that creates a calm, shallow, crystal-clear lagoon ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Half Moon Bay has calmer water at one end and livelier surf at the other, so you can choose your conditions.
What is Devil's Bridge?
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Devil's Bridge is a natural limestone arch on Antigua's windward eastern point, near Indian Town. Centuries of Atlantic swell have carved the rock into a bridge and blowholes that spray seawater into the air. It is a dramatic, free-to-visit natural attraction and a popular photo and picnic stop on east-coast tours.
How do I get to Green Island?
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Green Island is an uninhabited nature reserve off the east coast, reachable only by boat. Catamaran and kayak tours run out to it, often combined with snorkelling stops, and some depart from nearby points along the east and south coasts. There are no facilities on the island, so bring water and sun protection.
Is Half Moon Bay worth the drive?
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Many visitors think it is the most beautiful beach on the island, so for a lot of people it is well worth the trip. The crescent of sand is a designated national park and largely undeveloped, with a beach bar nearby. It is a longer drive from the main resort areas, which keeps it relatively quiet.