If you can tear yourself away from the sun lounger, don’t miss the daily snorkelling excursions to nearby Cades Reef, where clear visibility allows you to spot an abundance of marine life, including turtles, moray eels, reef sharks, sting rays and barracuda (we were lucky enough to spot the latter two during our excursion). If snorkelling isn’t your thing, there’s a wide variety of other water sports on offer at the hotel, including water skiing, paddle boarding, sailing and kayaking.
As is the lure of luxury all-inclusive resorts, you could easily spend your entire time on Antigua enjoying Curtain Bluff. But there are plenty of reasons to explore the island beyond your hotel. Despite its modest size, Antigua is home to 365 beaches (you’ll likely hear it affectionately called by its nickname, ‘The Land of 365 Beaches’), a lush interior, a storied history and of course, an easy-going, rum-chilled party scene.
Hop in a taxi to Shirley Heights, a restored military lookout first used during the late-18th century American War of Independence, where its high vantage point meant sentry could spot enemy ships approaching English Harbour below. Today, Shirley Heights Lookout offers the best view on the island, stretching past the swathes of lush greenery to historic Nelson’s Dockyard and the sail-dotted harbour below. Don’t miss the Sunday night barbecue at Shirley Heights – described as the ‘biggest and best party in Antigua and Barbuda’ – where locals and visitors alike gather to watch the sunset, eat authentic food, drink liberally-poured cocktails and listen to feel-good live music. Most tourists flock to the crowded viewpoint to take photos of the sunset, then leave once they’ve had their taste of rum punch. Don’t follow them. We stayed late, tucking into flavour-packed jerked chicken and juicy shrimp, before singing and dancing with people we’d never met in the balmy evening heat.
The next morning, soothe your sore, rum-soaked soul at The Tamarind Tree with a traditional Antiguan breakfast of salt fish, eggs and plantain, washed down with the day’s choice of freshly-made smoothie. Then while it’s still morning – before the midday sun makes exploring too tiresome – visit some of Antigua’s historical sites. Head to Nelson’s Dockyard, named after the British admiral who was stationed here in the 18th century, now a charming UNESCO-listed marina. While there are quaint shops and restaurants to enjoy, the dockyard is also an opportunity to learn about Antigua’s history, and the part it played in imperialist Britain’s unrelenting quest for power. Take the time to learn further about the history of slavery and life on the island’s former sugar plantations at the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda in the capital, St John’s, or at Betty’s Hope, Antigua’s first large-scale sugar plantation, now a museum and monument.
Elsewhere on the island, hike in the rainforest at Wallings Nature Reserve, swim with stingrays at Stingray City, or zip over the jungle canopy at Antigua Rainforest Zipline Tours. Suffice to say, there’s plenty more to Antigua than its world-famous beaches, one for every day of the year.
Back at Curtain Bluff, take in the last of the evening sun from your balcony or hammock, listen to the bananaquits chirping in the trees, and plan how you’ll spend tomorrow, another day on this tiny paradise island.
Rooms start from $790 (£617) in low season and $1,535 (£1200) in high season.
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