Darkwood Beach

Darkwood runs along the southwestern coast road as a long strip of pale sand with the road immediately behind it and nothing built on the beach except a single restaurant, and on a clear day Montserrat is visible across the water to the southwest, with the volcano's outline sometimes showing. The water is calm on the leeward side and the beach is quiet compared with the resort strips further north. Sunsets here are the reason the single restaurant stays open into the evening, since the beach faces almost due west across open water.

Background

The beach lies in Saint Mary on Antigua's Caribbean coast, near Jolly Harbour; it is known for snorkelling and a steady breeze. It occupies a very thin strip of land, with a large body of water behind it that almost cuts it off from the rest of the island. Nearby is the former Picart's estate, named after Abraham Picard de la Ferte; its windmill tower still stands, and at emancipation 109 people were enslaved there. Another plantation in the area went by the name Darkwood or Dead Sands. The Orange Valley of the Shekerley Mountains lies close by.

Source: Wikipedia, "Darkwood Beach"

What's there

• The long sand - a strip running beside the coast road with almost nothing on it.
• The Montserrat view - the neighbouring island visible across the water on clear days.
• The calm water - the sheltered leeward coast.
• The single restaurant - the one establishment on the beach.

When to go

December to April is the dry season. Clear days are needed for the Montserrat view. Hurricane season runs June to November.

Before you go

The road runs right behind the sand, which some find spoils it. There is very little shade. Facilities amount to one restaurant.

Nearby

Ffryes Beach is north, and Rendezvous Bay is southeast.

Key facts