Long Bay

Long Bay sits on Antigua's eastern coast, which is otherwise open to the Atlantic, but a reef runs across the mouth of the bay and holds the swell off, leaving water inside that is shallow, warm and flat for a long way out. Coral on the inside of the reef is close enough to swim to. Two hotels sit at the ends of the beach and the middle is public, with a few vendors under the sea grape trees.

What you actually see

• The reef - the barrier across the bay mouth that keeps the water flat.
• The shallow water - warm calm swimming a long way out from the shore.
• The inside coral - snorkelling within swimming distance of the beach.
• The sea grape trees - the shade along the back of the sand.

When to go

December to April is the dry season. Winter swell can still break over the reef. Hurricane season runs June to November.

Honest expectations

The water is very shallow, which suits families but not swimmers. Sargassum weed accumulates on this coast in some years and is not always cleared. Facilities are limited.

Nearby

Devil's Bridge is south, and Green Island is southeast.