Long Bay Beach Holidays

On the east coast of Antigua about five miles from the village of Willikies lies the fine white sand and turquoise waters of Long Bay Beach. The wooded rocky headlands that flank the bay make it ideal for snorkelling, as does the barrier reef just offshore, tempting novice and experienced divers alike, or this is the ideal place for just relaxing in the sun. Known throughout the island as one of the best swimming beaches, Long Bay has calm shallow and crystal clear water and is totally safe for even the youngest member of the family.

Far from being just a sunbathing spot the beach also offers watersports as well as sunbed and umbrella rental. Equipment for all the sports even snorkelling is available for hire and it also has its own bar restaurant The Beach House at Long Bay Beach. Situated directly on the beach this brightly furbished place is literally feet from the sand, where you can hire your own chaise longue for the day and have the food and drink brought to you. The restaurant and bar are open from 10:30am until 6 pm. Weekly barbecues allow you to enjoy the sounds of a steel band whilst watching the sunset.

The only hotel at Long bay is the Long Bay Hotel, situated on a peninsular overlooking the glittering waters and this traditional hotel has been welcoming visitors for over forty years. The hotel is proud to state that is the "past which defines us". Described by one visitor as an "Ernest Hemingway kind of place" it's not hard to see why any would-be writer would like to lock themselves away here. Strictly in the old Caribbean style the hotel prides itself on traditional service, something it feels that has been slightly lost in other parts of the island. The hotel offers a relaxed atmosphere in a peaceful setting flanked by water as it sits out on the peninsular. and it also offers watersports from the opposite side of the complex to Long Beach, at Bayside, also known as Indian Town Creek, named after the tribes of Arawak Indians who settled here long ago.

Built in 1959 the resort opened in 1966 and only offers 25 rooms. These are spacious but not massive as the emphasis is on the public areas of the hotel. As well as the beach house the hotel offers a Club House which supports the cocktail lounge, the Turtle restaurant, the Bayside patio and even a library with over one thousand titles stored for the guest. Never short of a good beach read here. The hotel also offers watersports of all types from snorkelling to powerboats and offers a full range of land based sports for those "landlubbers" who don't want to take to the high seas.

If you are looking for a small hotel offering a typically Caribbean experience then this has to be the place to head for. Search the library stacks for a book, head down to the beach house and book a chaise longue; then order a glass of rum and watch the day pass you by into sunset.

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