Beachfront Resort near Reef Formed from Shipwreck

Around the turn of the century, a triple-mast merchant ship known as the Andes was en route for Chile when deckhands noticed smoke coming from below. They dropped anchor in Antigua's Deep Bay and opened the hatches to investigate—whereupon the vessel exploded in flames, sinking within 100 yards of land. Today the sunken ship lies only 30 feet below the waves, and its steel hull has become encrusted with coral and inhabited by schools of tropical fish. Nearby, Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort stands on a curved peninsula beside Deep Bay, giving guests easy access to the shipwreck via complimentary kayaks, sailboats, and snorkeling gear.

Because it's on a peninsula, the 40-acre resort overlooks a lagoon on one side and on the other, a half-mile of beachfront boasting white sand and coconut palms. If the lagoon and the ocean aren’t enough water for you, there's a pair of pools at the heart of the property; they curve around each other to look a bit like a yin-yang symbol. The pools are surrounded by thatched umbrellas and a cabana where you can often find a palm reader who can foretell how many high-fives are in your future.

You can sip a tropical cocktail at the swim-up bar, or dine at one of four onsite restaurants, where outdoor patios overlook the beach, lagoon, and pools. Upstairs, each ocean-view room supplies equally stunning views of the Caribbean from a private balcony.

Antigua: Colonial History and Laid-Back Island Charm

Antigua's beaches are some of the Caribbean's most pristine. Along the shore, you'll see thatched-roof bungalows and sprawling estates owned by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Eric Clapton, and Giorgio Armani. An equally lovely landscape lies beneath the waves—just offshore, the 32-foot-deep (10 m) Cades Reef shelters barracuda, eels, eagle rays, and nurse sharks.

You can see lingering traces of Antigua's colonial roots in the capital city of St. John's. The resort is nearby Fort Barrington, which served as an important military defense post for the British Royal Navy as far back as 1652. You can still take a look at a powder magazine and gun platform here.

The island's distinct culture shines through in its cuisine, which includes conch fritters and cornmeal fungie, a dish similar to polenta. Sample the local flavors at St. John's bustling Saturday-morning market, where you’ll find vendors selling pineapple, breadfruit, and tamarind. Next door, a smaller market features crafts, jewelry, and parrots modeling the season’s hottest feather extensions.

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