10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Antigua

Shirley Heights Lookout offers the opportunity to gaze down upon the island of Antigua from 490 feet above while exploring an old historic British military base. On Sundays, the hilltop lookout is alive with Caribbean music and celebration. An original signal station of the British occupies this hill, and while it's no longer in use, you can explore the original guardhouse, officers' quarters, kitchen, hospital, cemetery, and canteen to see how the army lived in the 18th century. The romance of history combined with beautifully tended gardens and stunning views is what is on offer here.

Shirley Heights is located above English Harbour. It's open all the time as a public park, but Sunday nights are recommended.

Rendezvous Bay Beach is a secluded stretch of white sand and turquoise water so bright it glows on the southern end of the island, with private and intimate surroundings. This beach is recommended for couples who are into some outdoor adventuring before their romantic moments alone, as it takes a 30-minute hike through the rainforest from Falmouth to get here. When you arrive, you'll find radiant skies, a constant cool breeze, and no crowds to get in your way.

The calm waters are ideal for swimming, and the sand is powder soft. Whether you want to catch some rays, go swimming, or just steal a few moments away, this beach is a great place to escape from the crowds.

Stingray City Antigua offers the exciting chance to get in the water with, pet, feed, and hold stingrays, which are gentle and friendly creatures. Despite their fearsome reputation, these stingrays are completely acclimatised to human presence, so they pose very little danger. Still, it's a heart-thumping experience to be amongst them, touching their smooth skin and feeling them glide past you in the water.

You'll be matched with an experienced handler who will teach you how to approach and handle the rays. You can even choose a full safari tour where you'll also get to meet parrots, iguanas, tortoises, and other native creatures. Stingray City is located along the northeastern shore of the island.

Antigua sailing cruises offer the classic romantic experience of getting out on the Caribbean Sea and viewing the iconic seashore with a cocktail under a brilliant sunset. You can steal away a few moments out of a romance novel onboard an elegant sailboat cruising the open waters with Caribbean music in the background. Watch the crystal-blue waters of the sea turn the same brilliant red, yellow, and orange as the skies. Many of these cruises include open bars and snacks and starters.

Not only is a cruise a great way to get your romance going, but it's also a good way to unwind after a day's adventures. You can choose from several tour companies all over the island.

Prickly Pear Island is uninhabited but offers a romantic getaway on endless stretches of white sand and clear waters, plus a full seafood buffet right on the seashore. You can lie out in the sun, wade in the calm waters, or rent snorkelling equipment to check out the sea life. Free snorkelling instructors can guide you if you've never tried it before. When you get hungry during your day of beachcombing adventure, you can head for the beach restaurant that offers a full seafood buffet prepared with fresh local ingredients.

If you want to put the "getaway" in your romantic getaway, this is a great choice. It's reachable with a 5-minute ferry ride from Antigua's north shore.

The Pillars of Hercules offer you the chance to see a stunning natural rock formation that makes it appear as though pillars are holding up the massive cliffs above. These pillars were formed over millions of years of erosion and are a unique place to see the power of nature in action. You can take a boat tour to see and photograph the pillars, and go snorkelling to see creatures like reef sharks, sea anemones, and squid.

Another option is to hike to the top of the cliffs to look down and see them from above. Just be cautious; though the view is stunning, the top can be slippery. The pillars are located on the southernmost part of the island.

Devil's Bridge offers the chance to see the full power of nature on display with a bridge-like rock formation, waterspouts, blowholes, and geysers in the rugged salt air. The wind and water can rage here, and you can see views that are nothing short of awe-inspiring and sure to be the highlight of your social media feed. The formation looks like a natural bridge, formed from millions of years of pounding water.

It's just a few minutes away from the village of Willikies, is open all the time, and is part of a national park, so it's free to visit. Just be careful and don't get too close to the edge.

Antigua helicopter tours are offered by many tour companies across the island and let you see and photograph stunning vistas of the country in a unique way from high above. From the incredible rock formations carved out by the sea to the bustling harbours, quaint villages, and pristine beaches with white and pink sands, you'll see all of it in a way that you never could on the ground.

As you explore the island, your pilot, an experienced guide, will tell you all about the things you see and the history that they represent. You'll be able to capture as many photos as you like to show off to your friends online and make lifelong memories.

Nelson's Dockyard, named for Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson, played a vital role in the island's history during the Napoleonic Wars and offers a historic mansion, park, and museum. The dockyard was the home of the British fleet in the 18th and 19th centuries, and served as the headquarters of the admiral. Today, the mansion is a museum with documents, information, exhibits, and artefacts from the island's history that tell its storey.

The experience only begins at the museum. You can explore the gardens and parklands outside for romantic walks and relaxation. You can also grab a bite at the restaurant, check out an art gallery, and shop for souvenirs at the gift shop. You'll find it in Saint Paul Parish.

A romantic dinner on a beach is the perfect way to cap off your day as you relax on pink-white sands with calm waters, salt air, and a brilliant sunset. Antigua may be a small island, but it offers hundreds of beaches, and many of them offer beachfront restaurants. You can get gourmet seafood or international cuisine cooked up by renowned chefs and brought to you at your table in the sand. If you prefer, you can bring a picnic dinner and spread out a blanket for some time alone.

Most of the beaches here offer this option. For the ultimate in romance, order up fresh-caught seafood and a glass of fine wine, and toast your love.