Daily Daydream: Barbuda, Caribbean

Barbuda: The name may sound like a combination of Barbados and Bermuda, but Barbuda has a completely different feel than those more developed islands. It’s only about five miles wide, and is home to around 1,500 people and 5,000 Frigate Birds (the latter thanks to its Frigate Bird Sanctuary). If Hitchcock’s The Birds left you traumatized, you may want to skip the sanctuary. Frigates have a wingspan of four to five feet! 

Barbuda’s main attraction is its beaches, totalling 17 miles of crowd-free pink and white sand. On the Southwestern shore you’ll find a beach that stretches uninterrupted for nine miles. Venture into the water to snorkel or dive to the shipwrecks and reefs that lie just offshore. It’s always perfect beach weather in Barbuda, where the average temperature is 81 degrees in the winter and 86 in the summer.  

Need to get out of the sun for a while? Take a tour of one of the island’s caves, which feature ancient rock engravings.

Where is it? In the Caribbean, a 20-minute flight or three-hour boat ride from Antigua. The closest international airport is also on Antigua (check prices).

Where to stay? Accommodation doesn’t come cheap on Barbuda, as the options are all mainly luxury resorts. For example, a room at the Lighthouse Bay Resort will cost a minimum of around $1,500—per night. At least it’s all-inclusive! (Stay on Antigua for cheaper digs.)

What else should I know? Don’t expect lots of shops or restaurants on this fairly undeveloped island. However, the luxury resorts won’t let you go hungry.

Who’s it for? Anyone, really. Doesn’t it sound perfect?

You might also like:

• World’s Most Secret Islands
• The 10 Best Budget Islands in the Caribbean
• Antigua and Barbuda Travel Guide