What to Do and Where to Go in Saint Mary, Antigua

The tiny island of Antigua is divided into 6 parishes, all named after saints. Saint Mary lies on the west side of the island, and is the third largest parish. With a population of only about 7,000 people, Saint Mary is a quaint, quiet place consisting of towns with names like Seaforths and Blubber Valley.

Boasting plenty of beautiful, unspoiled beaches, Saint Mary is the perfect place to relax with your family or loved ones, or even by yourself.

Here are some of the best things to do and places to go while in Saint Mary, Antigua:

Things to do in Saint Mary, Antigua

Obviously, the number one thing to do in Saint Mary is to head to the beach for a relaxing day of sand and sun! You can simply lounge on the soft, white sand to your heart’s content, or rent a boat and sail the Caribbean Sea.

Or, you can take a 5-hour ecological tour to learn about Antigua’s wildlife and agriculture. Outback Antigua Tour will take you to a few places you probably wouldn’t have thought to visit on your own, such as historic landmarks in St. John’s, a donkey sanctuary and the Evergreen Organic Fish Farm.

You can also rent a self-driving inflatable boat and explore Antigua’s western coastline. These small boats are perfect for reaching the coral reefs. You can stop your boat in the lagoons and slip into the sea to view amazing marine creatures, like stingrays, parrotfish, and lobster.

Places to go in Saint Mary, Antigua

Above all, you’ve GOT to visit the beautiful beaches in Saint Mary’s parish. Namely, Ffryes Beach, which features clean, clear water, calm tides, and soft, white sand.

In addition, there’s Darkwood Beach, known for great snorkeling and beach bars. This beach is usually empty, except when there are a large number of boats in the harbor. There are plenty of amenities right on this beach: restaurants, chairs and umbrellas for rent, and restrooms. Also, there’s a great water park that the kids will love!

Darkwood Beach. (Source: antiguanice.com)

Galley Bay Beach is another gem located in Saint Mary. Situated in the town of St. John’s, some say that this beach is so secluded that it seems like a private beach instead of a public one.

However, we’re glad this beach is open for everyone, because we wouldn’t want to miss the great waves and the fabulous snorkeling. It is located near a resort and several bars.

Finally, there are plenty of non-beach sites to visit in Saint Mary as well. Fort James, a 17th-century British fort built to protect St. John’s harbor, features great views of the Caribbean Sea and a great glimpse into the island’s history.

Nearby, another British fort called Fort Barrington was built into a hillside in 1779. The climb to reach it is steep but short, and most of the structure is still intact. Be sure to bring your camera, as the view is spectacular. Both forts are free to visit and open to the public.