It’s not exhausting to tempt somebody to Antigua with youngsters. From our earlier journeys, I understand how family-friendly the Caribbean is and with winter looming, I didn’t take a lot persuading to swap autumn for solar, sea and sand.
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However whereas these improbably turquoise seas are as engaging (and turquoise) as the photographs, it’s undoubtedly price dragging your self away from the seaside to find what else Antigua has to supply, even for these travelling with a toddler or preschooler.
As a result of whereas there are extra adrenaline thrills and underwater adventures in case you don’t have a three-year-old, listed below are my 14 causes to go to Antigua with younger youngsters.
Antigua’s seashores
There are much more issues to do in Antigua with youngsters than merely discovering the powdery smooth sand and unfeasibly clear water, however you’ll be able to’t miss the seashores fully.
And with 365 seashores – famously one for day-after-day of the yr – you received’t be wanting someplace to chill out by the waves.
In case you’re visiting Antigua with toddlers, beautiful Lengthy Bay has shallow water so clear that you would be able to stroll out to reefs and see the fish while not having a snorkel – helpful while you’ve bought a three-year-old who received’t contemplate a masks.
Boat journeys
Among the best methods to see the island is by cruising round its coast, and there are many family-friendly choices for boat journeys in Antigua.
We took a half-day journey with SeaEscapes hopping across the coast earlier than a cease at Deep Bay for lunch and a swim.
The glass-bottomed boat is one other bonus with little ones who can’t swim, as they will nonetheless get a really feel for the marine life.
The snorkelling
Whether or not you select the shallow rocks and reef of Lengthy Bay – good for wandering out to with a preschooler who can’t but swim or snorkel – or the deeper water on our SeaEscapes voyage, there are some unimaginable fish and corals.
My daughter has lengthy been fascinated by the undersea world however on the age of three, snorkelling was off the desk till she turned extra assured within the water, so it was incredible to present her a view of the fish with out going to an aquarium – huge tick in case you’re visiting Antigua with toddler too.
The stingrays
One in every of my favorite experiences on Antigua was swimming with stingrays on a shallow sandbank at Stingray Metropolis.
Free to return and go, they’re very blissful to drift over to vacuum up squid and there’s a small deck for any small individuals who need a style of the expertise with out moving into the water.
The views
Shirley Heights is essentially the most well-known viewpoint, overlooking English Harbour, however the limestone peaks across the island give nice views out to the Caribbean, curving sandy bays and the neighbouring islands.
The Satan’s Bridge
The ocean crashes up by this blowhole within the rocks on the east aspect of the island, sporting away the cliff to create a slender bridge.
Even at a distance, it’s spectacular for teenagers (and adults!) to look at because it out of the blue blasts upwards in an eruption of spray.
Try the video for a shot of it in motion!
Antigua’s historical past
Nelson’s Dockyard dates again to the 18th century, and was as soon as dwelling to Nelson himself in addition to being a key naval base for the British fleet.
At present there’s a museum among the many eating places and lodges too, and whereas the mix of cobbles and jetlag despatched my daughter off to sleep in her buggy, there’s sufficient to seize a three-year-old’s curiosity right here as properly.
The landmarks
One other remnant of Antigua’s previous, the windmills as soon as used on sugar plantations nonetheless dot the hills, together with Betty’s Hope.
One of many earliest plantations on the island, there’s extra info throughout the positioning – one of many mill towers has its sails restored, however it’s price a cease even simply to take a look at the buildings.
Antigua’s picturesque capital
St John’s, on the island’s west coast, is a mixture of brilliant pastel colors and a historic nineteenth century cathedral, which changed two earlier buildings destroyed in earthquakes.
There was work occurring within the grounds once we visited, however you’ll be able to wander by the outdated cemetery, in addition to previous the boutiques and retailers of the city.
The tradition
From the earliest Amerindians to British colonisation, the most effective methods to find the island’s historical past is on the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda in St John’s, with some sobering reveals on slavery too.
A small museum, there’s nothing significantly for younger youngsters however older youngsters will respect extra of the affect of the reveals, and it’s simple to wander round.
Caribbean foods and drinks
Fish, seafood, creole spices and fruit galore to strive imply you’ll discover incredible meals whether or not you’re consuming in your resort or stopping to choose one thing up whilst you’re exploring.
I at all times love discovering conch fritters (even when my daughter is much less tempted!) Plus the rum-packed daiquiris, clearly… and a virgin strawberry model for my daughter.
The climate
Precisely what you image while you consider the Caribbean… blue skies, mild breezes and solar. Round eight hours of solar per day, in truth, and even within the rainiest months the showers are usually transient.
Plus it’s heat sufficient to swim within the sea year-round. Sufficient mentioned… Bliss!
The environment
Chilled-out, welcoming and ultra-relaxing. There’s at all times a heat welcome within the Caribbean however you’ll be able to flip the heat up just a few notches while you’re travelling as a household.
Youngsters are by no means an excessive amount of bother right here, which helps make it an much more stress-free expertise for fogeys.
The locations to remain
I stayed at Verandah Resort & Spa within the east of the island, a part of the Elite Island Resorts group – that is now adults-only however a number of of the resorts on Antigua are family-friendly and nice for a go to to Antigua with younger youngsters.
Throughout our keep, it was all-inclusive, additionally good for households, together with some nice watersports to try to two seashores, together with the swimming pools (considered one of which is the largest on the island).
**First printed 2015, up to date 2026**
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Disclosure: My journey to Antigua and keep at Verandah Resort was courtesy of the Antigua vacationer board and Elite Island Resorts. All opinions on the highest causes to go to Antigua with youngsters stay my very own. This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
All photographs and video copyright MummyTravels
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