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Backpacking In Antigua🇦🇬: Touring Stingray City

Posted on August 11, 2022August 20, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Oxymorons on the brain, fast-paced whackpacking through Caribbean islands and a complete skippal of Barbuda led me to…the delights and calm waters of Stingray City! This was one of many mini-adventures when backpacking in Antigua, I toured Stingray City as well as visiting English Harbour, the National Cricket Stadium, Willikies, Long Beach and Devil’s Bridge. Which was whackpacking to the core in my humble opinion as it was neither a city, nor did I see any stingrays there (this was my fault of course – I’ll explain later). It was almost textbook whackpacking and the very reason I coined such a phrase when whackpacking in Hippy Goa in India in March 2016…

I was staying at Ellen Bay Cottages but it was one of those crazy trips where everything tried to stop me seeing this place, but I did it! A boat cancellation combined with a late PCR test result meant my scheduled ferry from Saint Lucia to Martinique had to be omitted. Instead, I managed a day and night in Sint-Maarten (and Saint Martin), a night in Guadeloupe before arrival into Antigua, where Barbuda had to be by-balled…

Chill in the Leafy Gardens at Ellen Bay Cottages, Antigua

From Ellen Bay Cottages, I headed along the seafront to Stingray City. It’s not a city of course – these are all small settlements or villages. Stingray City is a harbour from where boats can take you on a cruise and you can sightseeing for sea creatures and animals including stingrays (of course).

I grabbed a Wadadli (local beer) and enjoyed the relaxation here.

Backpacking In Antigua: A Wadadli Beer at Stingray City

There’s a hut to buy some t-shirts and other souvenirs from Stingray City.

Backpacking in Antigua: Souvenirs in Stingray City

Here are some of the actual creatures you can really see if you go backpacking and touring properly in Stingray City, rather than my lazy soul who preferred a beer and watching the waves and sun splash and shine…

Backpacking In Antigua: Touring Stingray City – lobster

Backpacking In Antigua: Touring Stingray City – starfish

Backpacking In Antigua: Touring Stingray City – random fish

Backpacking In Antigua: Touring Stingray City – an ACTUAL stingray

Here is a video I made a Stingray City:

Backpacking in Antigua🇦🇬: Visiting Devil’s Bridge

Posted on May 4, 2022September 24, 2024 by Jonny Blair

My Caribbean adventure of 2021 was coming to an end when I arrived in Antigua. The country itself is called Antigua and Barbuda, but sadly I didn’t make it to Barbuda on this trip. Instead, I based myself at the at Ellen Bay Cottages in Antigua., which was peculiarly in an area known as Belfast Bay.

Backpacking in Antigua: Visiting Devil’s Bridge

Thanks to my stay at the Ellen Bay Cottages, I organised a tour of the island where I visited a lot of key parts in one day. I visited Stingray Harbour, by foot as it’s next to Ellen Bay Cottages. I then had a swim and a beer on the famous Long Beach. After that, I headed to the famous Devil’s Bridge. Also on the tour, I visited English Harbour, the National Cricket Stadium and Vilikeis.

The above photo shows the view from the road on route to Devil’s Bridge, which is located on the east of the island of Antigua. On arrival, there were some little souvenir shops. Here, I bought a fridge magnet for my Mum and a postcard for my brother.

Then it was time to check out the fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean and find out why this place is known as “Devil’s Bridge”.

The seafront reminded me of two places I had been before. The first was Kiama in New South Wales in Australia which has a hole where water comes in and out of – known as the “Blowhole”. Secondly it reminded me of Devil’s Kitchen in Tasmania, also in Australia. I visited both of those in 2010.

The splashing waves are memorable and it’s a clean fresh sea air here. Where the rocks meet the ocean, there is a stone bridge where the waves crash in upon. It can be dangerous here on stormy days – hence the nickname “Devil’s Bridge”.

It wasn’t too crazy when I was there but it was nice to see and definitely something to put on your itinerary when backpacking in Antigua.

Here is a video I made at the Devil’s Bridge in Antigua:

Calmness and Charm at Ellen Bay Cottages, Antigua🇦🇬

Posted on January 25, 2022September 23, 2024 by Jonny Blair

As the horrors of 2021 headed out of view, I found myself in a tranquil and calm little abode. A flight issue from Winair granted me a full night in Guadeloupe and longer than that in the split island of Sint Maarten. This meant backpacking Barbuda was not possible (I now had no time) but Antigua certainly was, although my time here was cut short. I chose the calmness and charm of the pink and blue decorated Ellen Bay Cottages, down by the harbour and Stingray City in northern Antigua.

Calmness and Charm at Ellen Bay Cottages, Antigua

In Antigua, (for a day, and then back two days later!) I managed to visit English Harbour, Devil’s Bridge, Long Beach, Stingray City and the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium as well as passing through Saint John’s, the capital city. Incidentally, I don’t write Antigua and Barbuda as I never visited Barbuda and it’s fake loyal to whackpack both. I was in Antigua, ONLY. Sadly, countrywise I have to put that in. But it was still something special.

I based myself at Ellen Bay Cottages, which was ironically around the corner from Belfast Bay! This is a superb little abode and here are some reasons why I recommend it.

1.Amazing Views

When I arrived, I was surprised at how close Ellen Bay Cottages are to nature and in particular, the very tranquil coastline. To the right is Belfast Bay, in front of course a gateway to the Caribbean and to the left is Stingray Harbour. I sipped a cold local beer (Wadadli) and admired the views, and took a walk down to the seafront.

Ellen Bay Cottages by the sea in Antigua

A Wadadli at Ellen Bay Cottages by the sea in Antigua

2.Quick Walk to Stingray City

I headed down to the harbour with Nyeisha my host and guide. On round, is Stingray City which has a harbour popular for local boats. There are many adventuruous activities available of course including deep sea diving, snorkelling and just cruises. Even with COVID happening, you can organise all of this quite easily.

3.Cosy, colourful Rooms

I was in room 1 on the ground floor. The colour of the building is pink and blue. I was in room 1.

4.Friendly Welcome

I was welcomed by Nyeisha who was my host and guide and made me feel at home. I also wrote online to Bernadette, the managing director and she helped organise my trip! From Ellen Bay Cottages, you have all the contacts you need to prepare your tour and make you feel at home.

With my excellent host and guide Nyeisha at Ellen Bay Cottages

5.Leafy Gardens and Nature

Chill out reading a book or sunbathing in the leafy gardens here. There are also plants and fruit including coconuts and sugar apples.

6.Easy to organise tours

The owner of Ellen Bay Cottages helped organise my airport transfer and in turn my island tour. Here are a few of the great spots in Antigua that I visited!!