Claiming to have a beach for every day of the year, the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda are superb vacation destinations for those looking to have some fun in the sun. Located in the Caribbean Sea and lying east-southeast of Puerto Rico, these tropical islands have plenty to do, to keep even then most avid traveler busy with lots to see and experience. Part of the British Leeward Islands, Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda, a tiny isle, form the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, which in turn is part of the British Commonwealth.

With a total land area of just 443 sq. km, these islands are a great getaway with many safe natural harbors and some wonderful coral reef. You can enjoy a plethora of water based activities in Antigua and Barbuda including, swimming, sportsfishing, windsurfing, yachting, sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling. However, if you prefer a land based adventure then you can indulge in some golfing, bird watching, tennis, cricket or horseback riding. With so much to do, it should be no surprise then that these two islands are among the Caribbean’s premier tourist retreats.

Antigua is the largest of the three islands at 280 sq km. Around 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, this island has many remaining vestiges of its British colonial heritage. Red telephone boxes, a tremendous enthusiasm for the sport of cricket and a rustic landscape all adds to what makes vacationing here so special. An important British base in the Caribbean, this island was visited by Admiral Horatio Nelson in 1784, which further increased its importance. Offering tourists plenty to see, the main crowd puller here definitely has to be the Antiguan beaches. Renowned for their soft powdery white sand, seclusion and calm waters, the beaches here are ideal for swimming, sunbathing or enjoying a host of water based sports. The underwater marine life here is thriving as well with incredible coral reefs found on the ocean floor.

Roughly 40 km north of Antigua sits the tiny island of Barbuda which is just 160 sq km in size. Though small, this island has many hidden treasures awaiting those who visit here. The beaches on Barbuda are beautiful and secluded with most of the tourists coming here for some much needed peace and quiet. If you are a nature lover, you will enjoy this island even more, as it is home to the largest Frigatebird colony in the Caribbean. As an avid bird watcher, you can also catch sight of other birds on the island including pelicans, warblers, tropical mockingbirds, ibises, herons and oystercatchers.

For an alternate trip when visiting this inland nation, take a detour to the isle of Redonda. Redonda is an uninhabited island that was made a nature preserve.