Whilst Turners beach is one that I visit less often it is still a beautiful beach with white sand and clear blue water. With the beach sitting just off the road, it is surprisingly quiet and a great place to relax. This beach is not know for having much shade so renting a umbrella and possibly some loungers could be considered an essential.
There isn’t much in way of sea life so depending on what your are looking for in a beach, this may not be the one for you. However, what you do get is a long stretch of sand and open swimming without much interruption of rocks or reef to worry about stubbing your toes on.
It is worth mentioning that the decent into the water is quite steep and for some reason this beach has a tendency to feel the swell more than other beaches on the west coast. This combination can often make getting in and out of the water more difficult for those who may be less stable. I’ve found that the side furthest from the restaurants is easier to access in this regard.
There are a couple places along Turners beach including Turners Beach Restaurant which you can grab food and drinks at if you just want to plant yourself there for the day.
With Turners beach being a regular stop off point for tours and cruise ship passengers, depending on when you visit, you may find it a bit busy. However, don’t let this deter you as they generally don’t stop for too long. If this feels like an issue for you, going to the other end of the beach or one of the other beaches near by may be the move.
It is worth noting that there are no public restrooms on Turners 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.
There are a couple restaurants on Turners beach to choose from but if you are looking for a taste of real quality local cooking and don’t mind a short (2-4 minutes) drive, I would recommend going to Aunty Cavell’s restaurant on Darkwood beach for some of the best local food on island. Their coconut crush there is also elite, especially when you get them to add some Antiguan rum to it!
Like other beaches on the west coast, Turners beach sunsets are pretty stunning but if you plan on staying 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.
If you’re tired of being on the beach all day but still want a romantic sunset view I’d recommend taking yourself over to Sheer Rocks for some amazing cocktails by the bar.
If beach hopping is your thing, there are a number of beautiful beaches close to Turners beach that I would recommend checking out, here are a few:
While enjoying the natural beauty of Turners 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.
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 Turners 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.
Turners beach is located on the West Coast of Antigua near to Jolly Harbour.
There are a couple different ways to access the beach. The main way is to enter via the Turners Beach Restaurant entrance which his signposted. However, if on the rare occasion the gate is locked you can park down the other end of the beach and either relax down there or walk up the beach.
Distance from:
St John’s - 31 minutes
English Harbour - 40 minutes
Jolly Harbour - 9 minutes
Nonsuch Bay - 56 minutes
Like all other beaches in Antigua & Barbuda, this beach is free for everyone to use.
Why should you?