One would wonder why there are so many island face-offs. Well, there are so many islands to choose from and while most of them are awesome, it's almost always difficult to choose one over the other. This is why comparisons are always necessary to ensure travelers go with the most suitable option. So, keep in mind - it's never going to stop.
Today, it's beautiful Barbados versus the tiny yet amazing twin island - Antigua. Which island is going to win this battle?
Antigua
Antigua is one part of the country in the Lesser Antilles known as Antigua and Barbuda. It is the main and largest island of this country located in the eastern curve of the Leewards Island of the Caribbean sea. Antigua being the largest island of the country is 108 square miles - almost twice as bigger as its twin island - Barbuda which is just 61.99 square miles in total area. The landscape of Antigua is characterized by mountains, low-lying lands, and limestone hills. Its climate is characterized by lots of rainfall, high winds, abundant sunshine, and high temperature. One unique feature of Antigua is that it has 365 beaches just like the number of days in a year. In other words, it will take a whole year to explore all the beaches if one is visited each day.
Things To Enjoy In Antigua
Its offerings are numerous but these are perhaps the most exciting:
- So Many Beaches: It is difficult to imagine how such a small Island could have so many beaches but still, Antigua claims to have 365, with all of them open to the public. Pristine sands, tall palm trees, clear sunny skies, and turquoise waters are some of the features of these beaches. Not to mention the ever blazing sunshine and the strong non-stop winds. Many of the beaches are always empty because it makes sense to spend time exploring the best ones such as; Jolly beach - the biggest, Dickenson Bay – for beauty and a bustling atmosphere, and Galley Bay - for amazing surfing.
- Exciting Sailing and Surfing: The windy climate of Antigua creates an atmosphere for excellent sailing and surfing. With an average wind speed of 14.25 miles per hour all year round, sailing in Antigua is one of the best in the Caribbean which is why it is also a hotspot for sailing events. During the sailing week held from April - May, sailors are invited from all over the world to Antigua to race for the prize in the waters of the island.
- Great Weather: The weather in Antigua is awesome with the sun blazing all day long and revealing the sheer beauty of the Island to the tiniest detail. During summer it gets oppressively hot but the heat has less impact on the skin as the non-stop northeast trade winds are always working to cool off the steam.
- Surreal Views: The Shirley Heights is one of Antigua’s most popular attractions visitors should not even think of missing out on as the views from this elevated spot are inspiring. The lookout presents views of many yachts nested on the sea surrounded by rock formations, mountains, and lots of greenery. At sunset, it's like a dream.
Cons
- Highly susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms
- Expensive
- Drinking-water safety
Barbados
Located in the Lesser Antilles, Barbados is an Island country with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is the easternmost Caribbean Island in the Lesser Antilles and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, unlike the other Lesser Antilles Islands which are surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Barbados features a landscape characterized by lowlands, caves, rolling hills, and coral reefs. Its climate is described as highly windy, hot, and cloudy.
The beaches are perhaps the most popular attraction in Barbados. The soft white sands, turquoise waters, and overlooking palm trees combine with the bright blue sky to create charming views. The waters of the Island are rich with marine life and also great for scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing. The cuisine of Barbados is also one of its unique qualities as it presents flavors from Portuguese, Creole, British, African, Irish, and Indian cultures. The flying fish is a species of fish native to Barbados which is why it has been nicknamed - the Island of the flying fish. The flying fish is even a crucial part of Cou Cou - the national dish of Barbados. Not to forget that this is Rihanna’s Island of Origin which just makes it more appealing.
Things To Enjoy In Barbados
Barbados has enough things to keep visitors returning to the island every year and these are some of the most notable:
- Unique Food Flavors: Cou-cou - the most popular Barbadian food and the national dish of the Island consists of chopped and boiled okra mixed with ground corn, pepper, tomatoes, flying fish, and herbs, which are then fried with butter and served with sweet potato or plantain to give it a juicy unique taste that gets better with every bite. Cookies, fishcakes, and jug jug also make up the list of more delicious food to taste on this island.
- Great Surfing And Other Water Activities: The constant winds characterizing the island are what makes surfing so enjoyable especially on the east coast of Barbados. The island is also great for other water activities such as - surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and enjoying views of sea turtles. The coral reefs underneath the waters even present divers with beautiful sea-forest-like views to spice up the diving adventure.
- Beautiful Beaches: No doubt, Barbados has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With their long stretches of white sands and enchanting waters, it's hard not to admire the natural beauty they emit. The abundant sunshine and the bright skies ensure every detail can be seen clearly so there’s no room for assumption.
- Other Attractions: There are other things to enjoy in Barbados not related to the waters. The museums, parks, and local markets are some of them. One of its most iconic attractions is the Baobab tree which is located in Queens Park. This tree is said to be a thousand years old thereby making it the oldest living tree in Barbados. With its 25-meter circumference and 26-meter height, the colossal size of the Baobab tree is one more characteristic that makes the tree one of the seven wonders of the Island of Barbados.
Cons
- Highly prone to hurricanes
- Expensive
- Increasing crime rate
Why Antigua Is the Better Island For A Tropical Vacation
Both Islands seem to offer similar enjoyable experiences but here are two reasons why Antigua might win more hearts when it comes to a tropical vacation:
- More Beaches: Barbados may be the bigger Island, but it's clear that bigger does not necessarily mean more offering in this case. Travelers heading to a tropical destination like the Caribbean are generally after beaches and while Barbados may offer some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, Antigua (which also has beautiful beaches) still has the upper hand when it comes to more options. Travelers visiting for a limited amount of time and do not necessarily want too many options might as well go with Barbados for its beautiful but limited beach offerings. On the other hand, those who hope to stay longer and have more options better go with Antigua.
- More Freedom: It is illegal to bathe naked in public in Barbados which explains why the island does not have a single nude beach. In this case, Antigua has the upper hand because it has one. Even though it may not seem appealing for many, it's an added advantage to have uninhibited beaches and Antigua offers just that.