Dickenson Bay and the north coast

Why go

Dickenson Bay suits travellers who like a beach with life: a morning swim, a paddleboard before lunch, a long beach lunch and a sunset drink on a pier. It is also the most convenient base for short stays, being minutes from both the capital and the airport.

The beach

The bay stretches for about a mile, with the large couples resort of Sandals Grande in the middle, smaller hotels at each end and public access points along its length. The water is usually calm and clear, with a sandy bottom good for swimming. Water sports operators rent kayaks and paddleboards and run boat rides. Watch for jet skis and boats near the shore and swim inside marked areas where they exist.

Walk north and you reach the quieter end around **Siboney Beach Club**; walk south over the point and you come to **Runaway Beach**, a longer, calmer stretch with simple beach bars and fewer people.

Sunsets and evenings

The **Warri Pier** bar and restaurant on the water is the classic sunset spot. **Coconut Grove** serves candlelit dinners on the sand under palms, and **Bay House** at Trade Winds Hotel looks down over the whole bay from the hill. Further along the north coast, Hodges Bay has a handful of good restaurants for a special night out.

The north coast

Northeast of Dickenson Bay, **Jabberwock Beach** catches the trade winds and is Antigua's main kitesurfing spot, with schools offering lessons for beginners. Boat trips from the north coast head to **Prickly Pear Island** and the islands of the North Sound for snorkelling. The private resort island of **Jumby Bay** is reached by its own boat from near the airport.

Into St. John's

A taxi to town takes about ten minutes, making it easy to see the cathedral, museum and market, or to visit Fort James and its beach on the way. Minibuses also run along the main road in the daytime.

Practical tips

Beach vendors may offer jewellery, hair braiding and trips: a polite no thank you is enough. Agree taxi fares and currency before getting in. In winter, northerly swells occasionally bring waves to the bay, so check conditions before swimming. Sargassum seaweed can wash up in some months, mostly on the Atlantic side, but check recent reports.

A suggested day

Swim early while the bay is glassy, then rent a paddleboard or kayak before the breeze picks up. Spend late morning in St. John's for the market and museum, come back for a long beach lunch, and walk south to Runaway Beach in the afternoon. End the day with a drink on Warri Pier as the sun drops into the sea, then dinner under the palms. If you have more time, book a catamaran trip around the island or a morning kitesurfing lesson at Jabberwock.

Where to stay

Choose an all inclusive on the sand, a small hotel such as Siboney Beach Club, or hillside suites at Trade Winds with views. Blue Waters at Soldier Bay is a quieter family option along the north coast. Use our places to visit list to find bars, restaurants and trips nearby, and the free trip planner to plan the rest of your stay.