Top voted family activities in Antigua

Several stables in Antigua offer horseback riding tours along the beach, allowing families to enjoy a relaxing ride with stunning ocean views. Some tours even let kids ride into the shallow water with their horses for a truly magical experience. It’s a unique way to explore the island’s coastline while creating unforgettable memories.

The Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour is an exciting adventure for families who love the outdoors. This eco-tour features zip lines, suspension bridges, and nature trails that wind through the lush rainforest. The guided tour is designed for all ages, with smaller zip lines available for younger children. Kids will have fun spotting tropical birds, listening to the sounds of the jungle, and experiencing the thrill of flying through the treetops. It’s a great way for families to enjoy Antigua’s natural beauty in an adventurous way.

Nelson’s Dockyard is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers an exciting mix of history and adventure. Families can walk through the beautifully restored colonial buildings, visit the Dockyard Museum, and explore the marina filled with impressive boats. There are interactive displays where kids can learn about Antigua’s maritime history, pirates, and the life of Admiral Horatio Nelson. The dockyard also has green spaces where children can run around, and families can enjoy a picnic while taking in views of English Harbour.

Kids who love animals will enjoy visiting Seaton’s Turtle Sanctuary, where they can learn about and interact with rescued sea turtles. The sanctuary focuses on conservation efforts and provides a hands-on experience, allowing kids to touch and even help feed the turtles. Guides teach visitors about the importance of protecting marine life, making this both an educational and fun activity.

Ffryes Beach is another beautiful, kid-friendly beach known for its soft sand and gentle waves. The water is usually calm and shallow, making it a perfect place for kids to play safely. Families can bring their own beach toys, enjoy a swim, or have a picnic under the shade of palm trees. There are also local restaurants nearby where families can enjoy fresh seafood and other Caribbean dishes. It’s a great spot for a quiet and relaxing beach day.

Dickenson Bay is one of the best family-friendly beaches in Antigua, featuring soft white sand, gentle waves, and plenty of space for kids to play. The water is shallow, making it a safe place for young swimmers. Families can rent beach chairs, enjoy local food from beachfront restaurants, or take a fun boat ride. Kids will love spotting small fish near the shore, and older children can try paddleboarding or kayaking in the calm waters. The bay is also a great place to relax and watch the sunset together as a family.

Prickly Pear Island is a tiny offshore island that offers a fun and easy day trip for families. A short boat ride takes visitors to this quiet island, where kids can play on the sandy beach, explore shallow tide pools, and snorkel in clear, calm waters. Some excursions to the island include a beachside barbecue, making it a fun and hassle-free way to enjoy the Caribbean.

Wallings Nature Reserve is a protected rainforest area where families can enjoy an easy hike while learning about Antigua’s unique plant and animal life. Guided tours include information about the island’s ecosystem, and kids can spot birds, lizards, and butterflies. The peaceful setting makes it a great way to experience Antigua’s natural beauty away from the beaches.

Shirley Heights Lookout is a must-visit spot for families, offering some of the best panoramic views of Antigua. Families can hike up to the viewpoint or drive to the top for an easier visit. On Sundays, there’s a lively barbecue with local music, delicious food, and a fun atmosphere where kids can dance and play. The lookout is also a great place to spot sailboats in English Harbour and enjoy a breathtaking sunset together.

A short boat ride from Antigua, Great Bird Island is a small, uninhabited island perfect for a family adventure. The island has walking trails where kids can spot birds, lizards, and even the rare Antiguan racer snake (which is harmless). The white sandy beaches are great for swimming, and the surrounding coral reefs provide fantastic snorkeling opportunities. Families can also enjoy a picnic on the island while taking in the breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.

For families with kids who love the ocean, a snorkeling trip to Cades Reef is a fantastic experience. This protected marine area features crystal-clear waters and an abundance of sea life. Kids can snorkel in the shallow sections of the reef, spotting colorful fish, sea turtles, and coral formations. Many boat tours to Cades Reef include snacks and refreshments, making it a comfortable and enjoyable experience for families.

Betty’s Hope is an open-air historical site where families can learn about Antigua’s colonial past and the history of the sugar industry. The site features restored windmills, informational signs, and a small museum explaining how sugar was processed. Kids can walk around the large grounds, explore the old ruins, and learn about the island’s history in a hands-on way. The plantation also has picnic areas, making it a great place for a relaxing family outing.

The Mermaid Gardens hike is a hidden gem in Antigua, offering a moderate nature walk with stunning ocean views. Families can explore the rocky coastline, tide pools, and natural rock formations. Kids will enjoy climbing on the rocks and discovering tiny sea creatures in the pools. It’s an off-the-beaten-path adventure that combines nature and exploration.

A boat or ferry ride to Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda, is a fantastic way for families to explore more of the Caribbean. The island is known for its stunning pink sand beaches and the famous Frigate Bird Sanctuary, where kids can see thousands of magnificent birds. Families can also enjoy swimming in Barbuda’s crystal-clear waters or take a guided tour to explore caves and historical sites.

This historic fort sits atop a hill overlooking Deep Bay, offering amazing views of the coastline. The short hike to the fort is manageable for kids and gives them a sense of adventure. Once at the top, families can explore the old fort ruins and learn about Antigua’s military past. The fort is also a great spot for a picnic while enjoying the scenic views.

This natural rock formation near English Harbour is a fun place for families to explore. The hike to the Pillars of Hercules is short but offers plenty of opportunities for kids to climb on rocks and look for sea creatures in the tide pools. The area is also great for snorkeling, with calm waters full of tropical fish. Families can enjoy a quiet moment here, surrounded by Antigua’s stunning coastal scenery.

A fun way to experience Antigua’s culture is by taking a family-friendly cooking class. Kids can learn how to make traditional Caribbean dishes like Johnny cakes, fried plantains, and grilled fish. Many local chefs offer hands-on experiences where children can participate in mixing ingredients and learning about island flavors. It’s a fun and interactive way to connect with the local food scene.

Stingray City offers an unforgettable experience where families can interact with friendly southern stingrays in their natural habitat. The excursion begins with a short boat ride to a shallow sandbar, where kids can wade in waist-deep water and feed the gentle stingrays. It’s a thrilling yet safe activity, perfect for children who love marine life. Guides provide interesting facts about the stingrays and ensure the experience is enjoyable for all ages.

Darkwood Beach is another fantastic kid-friendly beach with calm, clear waters perfect for swimming. Families can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, enjoy fresh coconut water from local vendors, and relax in the sun. Kids will love playing in the gentle waves, and there’s often a floating water park with inflatable slides and trampolines, adding extra fun to the beach day.

This family-friendly eco-adventure allows kids and parents to explore Antigua’s mangroves, lagoons, and coastline by kayak. The guided tour includes a stop at a secluded island where families can snorkel in shallow waters and discover vibrant marine life. The calm waters make it a safe and enjoyable activity for beginners, and kids will love spotting fish, crabs, and birds along the way.

Jabberwock Beach is known for its soft sand, gentle waves, and cool breezes. It’s a great spot for families to relax and let kids run around. The beach is also popular for kiteboarding, and kids will enjoy watching colorful kites flying through the sky. There’s plenty of open space for beach games, and families can enjoy a peaceful walk along the shore while taking in the island’s beauty.

Located in St. John’s, this small museum is a great place for kids to learn about Antigua’s history, culture, and natural environment. The exhibits include ancient artifacts, information about the island’s indigenous people, and displays about colonial times. Kids will enjoy seeing old maps, tools, and even a full-scale replica of an Arawak house. The museum is small enough for a quick visit but packed with interesting facts that make learning fun for kids.

Devil’s Bridge is a natural limestone rock formation where the Atlantic Ocean crashes against the cliffs, creating dramatic waves and blowholes. While kids should stay at a safe distance from the edge, the area is an exciting place to explore. Families can walk along the trails, learn about the area’s history, and watch the powerful waves. It’s a great spot for photos, and nearby picnic areas make it a fun outdoor stop for a family adventure.

Half Moon Bay is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach that’s perfect for families looking for a peaceful and scenic spot. The clear, shallow waters on one side of the bay are great for young kids to splash around, while the other side offers small waves that are fun for older children to body surf. Families can bring a picnic and enjoy a relaxing day under the shade of sea grape trees. The beach is also known for excellent snorkeling, where kids can see colorful fish close to the shore.

Located on the east coast of Antigua, Long Bay Beach offers calm waters, making it an ideal beach for young children to swim and play safely. The soft sand is perfect for building sandcastles, and the shallow reef close to shore provides an easy snorkeling experience. Families can rent umbrellas and chairs for a comfortable beach day, and there are restaurants nearby offering local and kid-friendly meals.

Run by the Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society, this donkey sanctuary is a fun and educational experience for kids. Families can meet rescued donkeys, learn about their care, and even help feed them. The sanctuary provides a safe environment for these friendly animals, and kids will love petting and interacting with them. It’s a great way to teach children about animal welfare while enjoying a unique activity on the island.