Barbuda
You can ’ t leave Barbuda without marveling at the Frigatebirds . The darlings of both ornithologists and more casual birdwatchers like ourselves , these sizable seabirds made an indelible impression with their inflatable crimson throat sacs . Perched on small sand rises , the males provided an intense visual contrast to the brackish waters of the lagoon , their mating coalescing into a frenzied , yet captivating orchestra of a thousand red balloons . Watching the lagoon ’ s inhabitants click , dance , and ‘ drum ’ ( as our guide called it ) their way through the ritual of mating was a spectacular natural drama that must be seen and heard to be believed .
For something a little quieter but no less stimulating , we recommend a trip to the cliffside caves of Two Foot Bay National Park . While each cave here has an interesting story to tell , make Indian Cave your priority : as the only known cave on Barbuda with genuine Arawak petroglyphs , it ’ s one of the best ways to connect with the original inhabitants of the island on a visceral and visual level .
Snorkel , dive , swim and sail , and hike . Barbuda is a natural wonderland that should be explored in all its forms through whichever physical manner you favor . That being said , we can ’ t in good faith publish a list of recommended Caribbean excursions without including horseback riding on the beach . Luckily , Barbuda excels in this regard as well : the luxe Lighthouse Bay Boutique Resort captured our hearts as on a cross-island gallop across the island ’ s beaches and through its shallows . Our spirited yet friendly steeds seemed to bear us with enthusiasm , making light work of Barbuda ’ s varied terrain and fearlessly wading into gentle , warm waters up to our waists . For making us feel like the cover models of our own romance novel , horseback riding comes highly recommended .
A parting recommendation : as any veteran vacationer to the Caribbean would likely affirm , sometimes time spent on vacation is best spent doing nothing at all . The laid-back tempo of life in the region offers a much-needed escape from hectic schedules and urban staccato . With “ a beach for every day of the year ”, as the tagline goes , we recommend searching for a beach that best suits your personalized need for tranquil nothingness . For our money , the best beach to lose track of time and space on in Antigua is Rendezvous Bay , which is accessible only by off-road 4x4 and bordered by a nature preserve , allowing you to reconnect with the primal beauty of nature . On the quieter Barbuda , just about any beach will provide the perfect venue for letting the gentle waves lap at your heels , but of particular note is Princess Diana Beach , a crescent-shaped slice of divine pink sand that we fell in love with as a tanning and snorkeling venue .
We came to Antigua and Barbuda as neophytes , and left as evangelists : bringing the warm glow of the Caribbean back with us to our cubicles .
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