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With its magnificent and often deserted beaches, its spectacular coral reefs and its rare colony of frigate birds, the nation's other inhabited island, Barbuda - 48km to the north of Antigua - is a definite highlight of any visit to Antigua. Don't expect the same facilities as on Antigua; accommodation options are limited, you'll need to bring your own snorkelling or diving gear, and you'll find that schedules - whether for taxis, boats or meals - tend to drift. This is all, of course, very much part of the island's attraction. Half the size of its better-known neighbour, Barbuda developed quite separately from Antigua and was only reluctantly coerced into joining the nation during the run-up to independence in 1981. The island is very much the poor neighbour in terms of financial resources, and its development has been slow; tourism has had only a minor impact, and fishing and farming remain the principal occupations of the tiny population of 1500, most of whom live in the small capital, Codrington . Away from the beaches, the island is less fetching, mostly low-level scrub of cacti, bush, small trees and the distinctive century plants; for most of the year it is extremely arid and unwelcoming. There are a couple of exceptions: in the southwest the island suddenly bursts to life, with a fabulous grove of coconut palms springing out of the sandy soil (and providing a useful source of export revenue), while in parts of the interior, government projects are reclaiming land from the bush to grow peanuts and sweet potatoes, also for the export market. For the most part, though, the island is left to the scrub, the elusive wild boar and deer and a multitude of birds - 170 species at last count. The tiny and now uninhabited volcanic rock known as Redonda , some 56km to the southwest of Barbuda, is occasionally visited by yachters - though with no sheltered anchorage, the landing is a difficult one. There is no regular service to the island, nor anywhere to stay save for a few ruined mining buildings.
Your Tip for Barbuda
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