Both St Lucia and Antigua are gorgeous Caribbean islands and either choice will be excellent for a Caribbean vacation.
There are several similarities between St Lucia and Antigua which include the fact that that both islands are English Speaking, the official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar and the islands are part of the Commonwealth of Nations.
In this article, we dive deeper into the differences between St Lucia and Antigua to help you decide which destination is ideal for your Caribbean vacation.
As a general rule, St Lucia is ideal for a visitor who is looking for beautiful natural scenery and visiting a drive in volcano. Alternatively, Antigua is the destination of choice for visitors interested in white sand beaches, exploring Caribbean history and swimming with stingrays.
Read on for further details and explanations on how these two stunning Caribbean Islands compare. This article is written by a Caribbean national familiar with both islands.
St Lucia Vs Antigua- Which Island Is Bigger
St Lucia is the larger of the two islands being 238 square miles while Antigua is 169.9 square miles.
On the other hand, the highest point of elevation in Antigua is Boggy Peak which stands at an elevation of 1,319 feet.
St Lucia Vs Antigua- Which Island Is Safer
Both islands are extremely safe destinations.
According to the US Department State, Overseas Advisory Council based on a 2018 crime report per 100,000 citizens, Antigua had 12 murders and 2 kidnappings while St Lucia had 21 murders and 4 kidnappings over the period.
Nevertheless, due caution and attention should be exercised as in any other country.
Visitors should avoid walking in secluded areas at nights and take only taxis authorized by the relevant taxi associations.
St Lucia Vs Antigua- Which Island Has Better Nightlife
St Lucia has a more vibrant nightlife atmosphere than Antigua with much of the nightlife based around restaurants, parties and bars.
Rodney Bay Village usually comes alive at nights in St Lucia.
There are several restaurants with a variety of cuisine that you can choose from such as Mexican, Indian and Chinese foods.
Each and every Friday with the exception of Good Fridays, Gros Islet in St Lucia is the place to be.
Vendors sell barbecues and other local dishes and there is a live band featuring music from the island.
Vendors also sell souvenirs and other arts and craft items. Antigua is quieter than St Lucia.
Shirley’s Heights Lookout is a well- known spot in Antigua on Sunday evenings for entertainment.
There is usually a live band with drinks and food available for purchase.
Some of the other popular nightlife spots on the island are The Lime and Tryst Nightclub, Bar and Restaurant
St Lucia Vs Antigua- Can You Hop To Other Islands
There are better opportunities for island hopping via ferry services from St Lucia to nearby islands such as Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Dominica shares the Eastern Caribbean Dollar as its official currency.
On the other hand, the official currency of the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe is the Euro.
Contrastingly, there is only one option available for island hopping from Antigua to the British overseas territory of Montserrat which is commonly referred to as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean.
The ferry named Jayden Sun departs from Heritage Quay from 8: 30 am and returns 5 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays weekly to and from Montserrat.
The price of the ferry is approximately XCD$300.
St Lucia Vs Antigua- Which Island Has Better Beaches
The clear winner in this category is Antigua. If your main goal for your Caribbean vacation is enjoying beautiful and turquoise beaches, then Antigua should be your choice.
The island is fondly known for having 365 beaches, being one for every day of the year.
Dickenson Bay is one of the well- loved beaches in Antigua by both locals and tourists alike.
Its shallow and calm waters make it an ideal spot for water sports such as paddle boarding.
To help visitors choose among its many beaches, the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority launched a beach personality quiz.
Feel free to visit the page to find the perfect beach for you.
Due to the volcanic nature of St Lucia, there are several beaches on the island that are black sand beaches and not white sand as Antigua.
Sugar beach is one of the best beaches in St Lucia where you can get a view of the famous twin peaks called The Pitons. This beach is loved by divers and individuals who enjoy snorkeling.
St Lucia Vs Antigua- What Are The Unique Things To Do
Unique Things To Do In St Lucia
Climb The Piton Mountains- the piton is an incredible twin peaks that are designated as UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004 located at the south of the island.
The Gros Piton is 2462 feet while the Petit Piton is 2619 feet. The Gros Piton is the designated hiking trail while the Petit Piton is rarely climbed.
Visit The Drive In Volcano- The sulphur springs is one of the most visited attractions on the island located in Soufriere which is the world’s only drive in volcano.
Visitors are able to enter at certain points and give themselves a mud bath. It is widely believed that these mud baths have medical benefits.
Unique Things To Do In Antigua
Visit Laviscount Island- enjoy a getaway to a private island which is home to Giant Aldabra Tortoises.
Animal lovers will truly enjoy feeding and interacting with the tortoises on this island.
Swim With Stingrays– enjoy swimming and snorkeling in beautiful waters of Antigua with friendly stingrays.
There are also amazing coral reefs and several species of fishes that you can enjoy at the pool.
Visit Nelson’s Dockyard- delve into the history of the island by visiting Nelson’s Dockyard where there are modern conveniences such as shops and marina businesses.
This dockyard allows visitors to enjoy the park’s beauty. There is also the dockyard museum which provides deep insight into the dockyard’s history and current research on the island.
Final Thoughts
On a whole, St Lucia is an ideal choice for a traveler who wants to enjoy beautiful natural scenery famous twin peaks, The Piton as well as bustling nightlife. Alternatively, Antigua is a good choice for individuals who love exploring the island’s many beaches and hopping to neighboring Montserrat.
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