Barbuda
Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua's sister island offers pristine pink sand beaches, the magnificent Frigate Bird Sanctuary, and peaceful anchorages away from crowds.
About Barbuda
Barbuda is one of the Caribbean's last great undiscovered gems. Unlike its busier sister island, Barbuda remains wild, serene, and blissfully uncrowded. The island is famous for its extraordinary pink-sand beaches — the rosy hue comes from crushed coral and shells — and its world-class Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Codrington Lagoon.
After Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017, the island has quietly rebuilt and the natural wonders remain completely intact. The absence of large-scale tourism infrastructure means anchoring off Barbuda is like stepping back 50 years in time — pure Caribbean the way it used to be.
The main anchorage at Codrington Lagoon provides excellent shelter and puts you within dinghy distance of the frigate bird colony (the largest in the Western Hemisphere), the town of Codrington, and miles of deserted pink-sand beaches on the Atlantic side.
Must-See Attractions
Frigate Bird Sanctuary
Take a guided boat tour through the mangroves to see thousands of nesting frigate birds up close.
Seventeen Mile Beach
The longest pink-sand beach in the Caribbean. Utterly deserted on weekdays.
Martello Tower
An 18th-century British defensive tower — the sole sentinel of an otherwise wild landscape.
Sailing Route from Antigua
Course
330° magnetic from St. John's Harbour
Waypoints
- 1St. John's Harbour exit
- 2Round North Point reef
- 3Approach Codrington Lagoon
Hazards & Notes
- • Coral heads N of Barbuda — stay 2nm offshore
- • Codrington Lagoon entrance shoals to 4ft at LW
Timing Tip
Enter Codrington Lagoon on a rising tide for maximum clearance
Anchorages & Marinas
Codrington Lagoon
6–12 ftExcellent — sheltered lagoon
Enter via the cut on the western side. Dinghy ashore to Codrington village.
Palaster Reef Anchorage
10–15 ftGood in prevailing NE trades
Exposed to swell if wind shifts northerly. Excellent snorkelling on the reef.
Marinas
- Codrington Lagoon (anchor only)
Insider Tips
Carry enough provisions for 3–4 days as stores in Codrington are basic
Hire a local guide for the frigate bird boat tour — they know the best spots
Bring plenty of insect repellent for evenings ashore
The pink beaches are on the Atlantic (windward) side — access by dinghy or local taxi