Summary

Long Bay beach is another one of those beaches with almost perfectly flat water majority of the time. However, the unusual thing about this is that the beach faces the Atlantic Ocean which ‘should’ mean that it is quite rough. The explanation for this is that there is a large coral reef not far off shore that stops the waves from crashing on the beach. This coral reef makes Long Bay beach unique as none of the other top beaches in Antigua have this topography.

This is a beach where you could easily spend all day at with a good book and iced drinks, listening to the water softly flow in and out. There are a few trees along the top half of the beach that you could shelter from the sun under when the midday heat hits though I would secure a spot early as they quickly go once more people start arriving. Alternatively, you should easily be able to find a local vendor who will happily rent you a beach umbrella and sun loungers at a reasonable price.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling at Long Bay beach is more interesting than a most other beaches because of the coral reef I mentioned. If you swim along the beach facing side of the coral, you can find a few openings to channels which run through the reef. Swimming along them is quite fun and depending on the path you take you could arrive at a large enclosure, roughly 15 feet deep, within the reef.

Note: Friendly reminder to avoid standing on or touching any of the coral as you will likely kill it.

Sea Access

The reef at Long Bay beach not only stops waves from crashing on the beach but also helps beach to retain the sand already accumulated there. This makes the section between the shore and the reef quite shallow with a gradual decline allowing for easy access and the ability to walk quite far out into the water. This makes it a very good beach for families and those less sturdy on their feet.

Food and Drink

There are a couple restaurants on or within walking distance from Long Bay beach. However, with the main one having been burnt down and only recently rebuilt, I can not say with certainty that it has opened its doors to the public yet. Failing the restaurants being open, there are some vendors on the beach who usually have refreshments to sell for reasonable prices.

Busy

During the tourism season (November to April) this beach can get quite busy as there is a popular hotel at one end. However, during the off-season the beach really empties out making it even more of a must visit destination while on island. Additionally, this is a fairly popular beach for locals to visit on the weekend.

Restrooms

It is worth noting that there are no public restrooms on Long Bay beach. If you do find yourself in need of the facilities you will have to buy something from one of the restaurants to get access to their restrooms.

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Food & Drink

If there are no restaurants open on the beach, I recommend venturing back into Willikies Village to grab some local food.

Things To Do

I would whole heartedly recommend you take a trip to Stingray City and then Devils Bridge National Park before settling on Long Bay beach for the day. Stingray City is such an amazing experience for people of all ages and walks of life. The team over there are extremely friendly and make sure you have a great time and enjoying being around these large majestic creatures. Devils Bridge is a limestone bridge that has been naturally formed by waves from the Atlantic Ocean crashing agains the stone wall.  Neither stop take that much out of the day and are well worth it.

Sunset

Although Long Bay beach is on the East Coast, you still get beautiful sunsets with the colours hitting the calm waters in the bay. However, if you are going to stay for it I would recommend you bring some insect repellent or something to cover yourself up with, as sand flies and mosquitoes will definitely be trying to enjoy the sunset with you.

Beach Hopping

With Long Bay beach being so far east and a fair distance from the closest beach, I don’t particularly recommend beach hopping. However, if you were insistent on visiting more than one on this day trip I would probably recommend Half Moon Bay Beach which is roughly 30 minutes drive away.

Sunblock & Environment

While enjoying the natural beauty of Long Bay beach, it's essential to be mindful of our impact on the environment. I encourage visitors to wear reef-safe sunblock as traditional sunscreens can harm the delicate coral reefs surrounding Antigua and Barbuda. Remember, a golden brown tan looks far better than a flaky red sunburn, and protecting the island's precious marine ecosystems is a collective responsibility.

Safety

Antigua and Barbuda are generally known for being safe islands, but it's always wise to take precautions to ensure a worry-free vacation. I recommend avoiding leaving valuables unattended on the beach, as opportunistic theft can occur. Additionally, while Long Bay beach is a serene spot during the day, it's best to avoid visiting beaches at night unless it's part of an organised event or activity.