Adventure lovers… I have a special post for you that combines two of my favorite things: adventure travel and islands. Although I have adventured much throughout the Caribbean, I have not experienced the fabulous islands of Antigua and Barbuda. With inside knowledge of these two luxurious destinations, I enlisted the help of peer travel writer, Emma Grant, to give us travel tips for an unforgettable adventure on Antigua and Barbuda.

Enjoy the luxury adventure tips!

Not every trip to a tropical island is about relaxing in the five-star resorts or one of the luxurious beachfront villas in the Caribbean. We prefer to have adventures and explore to see what the place is all about. And more importantly, to have fresh and unique experiences. Antigua and Barbuda are less visited than some of the other places of the Caribbean and it’s quite easier to get out and about. Both islands are reasonably safe and there aren’t as many no-go areas as other places. This makes it a perfect destination to have a luxury Caribbean adventure. I’m going to describe everything you need to know about having one in this article.

Why You Should Have a Luxury Adventure:

When you’re stuck in your 9 to 5 or at the office every single day doing the same things, life can start to get a little boring and monotonous. Sometimes, you get itchy feet and want to go off and explore, but you feel a little old for backpacking and in fact want to go somewhere nice and tropical to relax. This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have that adventure you desire so much. In fact, you can use a luxurious vacation as an opportunity to do new things and have new experiences. One of the best things about a Caribbean adventure is that every island is different and has their own unique vibes.

Adventures in Antigua and Barbuda:

The first adventure that I can recommend in Antigua is to get your hiking boots on and climb Mount Obama. This, formerly known as Boggy Peak, reaches an altitude of around 400 metres and is the highest point on Antigua. You can get to the top by hiking up either the north or south side and will be rewarded with excellent views of the island and sea. It’s not a difficult climb, but it can be challenging under the heat of the sun.

Ziplining is another activity that you can take part in when you visit Antigua and Barbuda. If you’re not sure what this is, it’s a line that connected between two points and the person holds on and zips from A to B. The Antigua Rainforest Zipline has 12 lines in total and a number of other challenge courses and walkways inside the jungle. You can visit on your own or as part of an organised tour.

Touring the island on the back of a horse is another more adventurous way to explore. You can join a group that takes you through the hills and around the island sightseeing. This isn’t the cheapest thing to do in Antigua and you should expect to pay a hefty fee for the privilege, but in my opinion, it’s worth it to get out and see parts of the island that receive relatively few tourists.

Adventurous Day Trips from Antigua and Barbuda:

The day trip that I’m going to suggest is aimed at people with a love and passion for fishing. You can find several tours that take you out to sea for a little deep sea fishing. This can be as part of a half or full day excursion and gives you the chance to catch some weird and wonderful creatures from the depths below. You can find good fish all year round in this part of the world and it’s one of the more famous spots in the Caribbean for anglers. If you can’t find a tour itself, feel free to charter your own boat for the day and take the family out with you.

The next day trip is to visit the nearby island of Montserrat. This tiny nation is a British Overseas Territory that suffered a devastating volcanic eruption in the 1990’s. Half the island was covered in ash and volcanic rock, which caused most of the population to evacuate. Some moved and started a new life in neighbouring islands whereas others went to the United Kingdom.

As of now, large parts of Montserrat are still an exclusion zone due to heightened volcanic activity. But, you can get out there and see the place with your own eyes. Popular activities are to climb some of the hills to get a view of the damage caused by the eruption. Or, if you have a larger budget, you can take a helicopter ride to see it from above. A ferry usually passes between Antigua and Montserrat on a daily basis. However, the schedules may not be consistent and it’s best to find out when you arrive.

Other Adventurous Things to Do in Antigua and Barbuda:

Your luxury adventure in the Caribbean wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the many opportunities for snorkelling and diving. You can find hundreds, if not thousands, of fish swimming just off the coastline. Some tours can take you a little further afield whereas on other occasions you may simply want to get some equipment and swim around near the beach. You should take full advantage of the kayaking and stand up paddleboarding too.

Important Things to Remember:

When you take a trip to Antigua and Barbuda, you don’t need to spend all your time inside the resort or sunbathing on the beach. This destination has lots of more exciting things on offer and the island is a safe place to explore independently. If you’re looking for an adventure, climb Mount Obama, go deep sea fishing, or take a tour to nearby Montserrat. But, make sure you also go snorkelling and diving too. Antigua is sure to satisfy any desire for a luxurious adventure!

**Post contributed by island lover and travel writer Emma Grant.