A Family Trip to Antigua
Spring Break 2025, we set off for an amazing adventure on the stunning island of Antigua and Barbuda with our friends! The journey began with a four-hour direct flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to V.C. Bird International Airport. Before your arrival, you’ll need to complete Antigua’s Immigration and Customs entry form, which can be filled out no more than 72 hours in advance. After completing the form online, you’ll receive a QR code to download onto your phone, which you’ll need to present upon entry. You can use the same QR code when you exit the island. If you fill out the form online, you won't need to complete the paper form distributed on the airplane.
As you approach the island, you see the impressive crystal-clear waters and the gorgeous mountainous terrain.
First, we went through immigration and customs, and it was much faster than our experience in the Grand Cayman Islands. The QR code was very helpful because it contained all our individual information and photos. After that, we proceeded to pick up our car rental at the airport. This process took almost an hour, as there was only one employee handling everything, and most of it was done manually.
It was time for lunch, so we headed to Garden Grill. The restaurant was located by the water and had a pool where the kids were allowed to swim. This was a delightful treat for them, especially after feeling the heat right after arriving from New Jersey. The food we had there was our favorite of the entire trip to the island.
After lunch, we headed to our hotel, Hodges Bay Resort & Spa. Upon arrival, we were greeted with cold towels infused with lavender oil. This hotel is absolutely stunning! It features two pools—one for families and another for adults only. There is a private beach and a secluded island called The Prickly Pear. The hotel also offers a kids' club, which we did not use, but they organize activities throughout the day and provide a list of these activities upon arrival. We received an upgrade to a beautiful two-bedroom, two-bathroom oceanfront villa. It was truly breathtaking!
We felt completely at ease letting our children explore the hotel, moving freely between the beach and the pool, and even enjoying tennis on their own. The hotel staff was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. Plus, the hotel features a small private beach stocked with complimentary kayaks, paddle boards, and sailing dinghies, adding even more fun to our stay!
If there's a Full Moon Party during your stay, you absolutely cannot miss it! Being on Prickly Pear Island at night, indulging in delicious BBQ and cocktails, was an unforgettable experience!
Bella Vita Italian Restaurant & Bar
During our time on the island, we enjoyed dining at several fantastic restaurants. In addition to the one mentioned earlier, another favorite of ours was Mamma Mia, along with Bella Vita.
Aside from the hotel beach, we explored two other beaches on the island: Long Bay Beach and Dickenson Bay. Dickenson Bay felt quite touristy. While the beach was beautiful, the water was murky, which didn't allow for snorkeling, but we did rent Jet Skis for 30 minutes. Long Bay Beach, on the other hand, was exceptional. The water was stunning, and the snorkeling experience was fantastic; we even encountered a barracuda! Both beaches offer loungers and umbrellas for rent. We brought our own lunch, so we didn’t sample any food at either spot.
After a day at Long Bay Beach, we stopped at an adorable ice cream shop we spotted on the way back to the hotel. The place was charming, and the ice cream was delicious. We sampled chocolate, pistachio, and rum raisin flavors. The rum raisin is an absolute must-try! It was likely the best rum raisin ice cream I've ever had.
One of the excursions we experienced was snorkeling with sea turtles at Galleon Beach. Our tour guide was fantastic and helped us spot several turtles that we could see up close. While we only opted for traditional snorkeling, I would choose scooter snorkeling if given the chance again. Snorkeling for an extended period can be tiring, so if your kids are up for it, I recommend the scooter option instead. The youngest child in our group was 9, and she would have handled it perfectly well.
Another fantastic experience was visiting Shirley Heights Lookout. The views were absolutely breathtaking! We had intended to eat there, but the lines were far too long. The atmosphere was lively, and the steel drum band added a great vibe! Instead, we grabbed a few beers and soaked in the scenery while the kids enjoyed some snacks and played with the friendly island cats.
Lastly, I have to mention the incredible Prickly Pear Island. It's one of the most stunning places I've ever visited, and I know it will be hard to top on any future vacation. If you're staying at Hodges Bay Resort and Spa, there’s a boat that takes you from their beach to the island, running from noon to 6 PM. The boat ride is just 8 minutes. Upon arrival, you’re welcomed with rum punch for the adults and fruity punch for the kids—it's like stepping into a dream. The snorkeling here was fantastic; the water is crystal clear, and there’s an abundance of fish to admire. We even spotted a stingray! The island offers loungers, cabanas, and towels for guests, making it a perfect spot to relax.
In conclusion, I can say that this was one of the most memorable family vacations I’ve ever had with our children and friends. It will be tough to top, but we’re more than willing to give it a try!
Thank you for reading!
XoXo, Paloma
