The nation of Antigua and Barbuda encompasses its namesake sister islands and several smaller islets, all located in the heart of the beautiful Caribbean. While Antigua is the largest of the nation’s islands, it remains a remarkably small corner of paradise at just 281 km², making it the perfect place for a relaxed getaway.
Ocean Azul has an ideal location that perfectly encapsulates all the stunning natural beauty that Antigua has to offer. Each day you will be tempted to stay close to Tamarind Hills, with the silky white sands of Ffryes Beach and Darkwood Beach below. Secluded by green hilltops and popular with tourists and locals alike, both beaches are well-known beauty spots. Swim and snorkel in the crystalline waters here, before stopping for lunch at a restaurant near Jolly Harbour Marina.
Slightly further afield, Nelson’s Dockyard National Park is one of five national parks in Antigua. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this eighteenth-century British naval dockyard is an area of great historical significance on the island, as well as a popular venue for maritime events and activities. Nelson's Dockyard offers visitors plenty of fantastic trekking trails, with breathtaking sights along the way.
Consider visiting Shirley Heights, a restored military lookout with panoramic views and the home of a famous Sunday evening party, where visitors are invited to come and take part in the festivities. Listen to live Caribbean steel drum bands, try some of the local food and rum punch and discover another amazing sunset vista.
Devil’s Bridge is another national park that is well worth a visit. The bridge itself is a natural arch composed of limestone rock, formed over the course of many thousands of years. With geysers and blowholes surrounding the bridge as the waves of the Atlantic crash against the rocks, this is a bracing adventure that will leave you in awe of the serene beaches you have just left behind.
With hiking trails, watersports, culinary delights, museums, exotic birds and rainforests, visitors will be enchanted time and time again by Antigua’s breathtaking landscape and rich culture.