The Islands - Romantic Escapes in the Caribbean: Lovetripper Guide - page 80

If it's beach seclusion you're after, then consider a visit to
Antigua's sister island, Barbuda. Day-trips to this un-
commercialized island, popular with bird watchers because of
its population of frigate birds, are available from several opera-
tors.

Barbuda lies about 30 miles north of Antigua. To take advan-
tage of Barbuda's beautiful beaches, you'll find guided daytrips
available from several tour operators in Antigua. Barbuda
Tours/Earls Tours, located in St. John's, offers a guided look
at the island's top sights including Martello Tower, the Bird
Sanctuary, and more. To arrange a tour, call 268-461-7388 or

268-462-0742. You'll also find several Barbuda residents who
offer guided tours. Call George Burton ( 268-460-0103) or

Hilroy Thomas ( 268-460-0015) for information on setting

up a tour of the island sights customized to your interests.

You can also book with Carib Airlines ( 869-465-3055; www.

candoo.com/carib). The airline offers charter flights to the is-
land, with four- , five- , or seven-passenger planes.

Another option is to arrive via powerboat. The 1½-hour trip
from Antigua is offered by Adventure Antigua ( 268-727-

3261 or 268-560-4672; www.adventureantigua.com; adven-
[e-mail]). This day-trip departs from the west
coast of Antigua early in the morning for a day of snorkeling
and exploring in Barbuda, along with a visit to the bird sanctu-
ary. Tours cost US $150 per person.

Underwater Delights
Nature lovers will find plenty of activity on Antigua. Scuba div-
ing and snorkeling are popular activities. Certified divers can
enjoy a variety of dives, from walls to wrecks. Some of Antigua's
top scuba sites include:

Sunken Rock: Advanced divers appreciate this
deep site, with a maximum depth of over 120 feet.
The dive begins at 40 feet in a coral canyon that de-
scends a sandy ledge. Divers then proceed down a
drop-off to the bottom of the ocean. Barracuda,
amberjack, and rays are usually found here.