Hiking trail in South coast, Antigua, Antigua And Barbuda
Rendezvous Bay Hike
A demanding but rewarding hike through dry scrubland and coastal terrain to the remote Rendezvous Bay — one of Antigua's most pristine and rarely visited beaches. Accessible only by this challenging trail or by boat, the beach rewards hikers with complete solitude, excellent snorkeling, and stunning scenery.
Rendezvous Bay is one of Antigua's most remote and undeveloped beaches, accessible only by hiking trail or by boat, which gives it an exceptional character compared to the island's more developed coastlines. The trail begins at a trailhead on the south coast road near Cobb's Cross, southeast of Old Road. A small informal parking area is available at the road junction. No permit or fee is required.
The round trip covers approximately 8 kilometres with around 250 metres of cumulative elevation gain, including several steep ascents and descents across a series of coastal ridges. This is the most demanding hike on Antigua, and the trail profile — with multiple sharp climbs rather than a single sustained ascent — is more physically taxing than the distance alone suggests. The surface is predominantly rough dirt, loose rock, and exposed limestone, transitioning to softer beach sand in the final approach to the bay. Sections cross open scrubland with minimal shade, and the final descent to the beach is steep and requires care on loose ground.
The route passes through dry coastal scrubland, affording open views of the southern Caribbean coastline throughout much of the traverse. Several undeveloped cove beaches are visible but unreachable from the main trail. The final descent opens onto Rendezvous Bay itself — a 500-metre arc of pale sand backed by low vegetation and coral rubble, facing the open Caribbean. The water is clear, calm, and suitable for swimming and snorkeling directly off the beach. The bay has no facilities of any kind: no bars, shade structures, toilets, or fresh water. Hikers should carry everything needed for time at the beach, including food, water, snorkeling gear, sunscreen, and basic first aid supplies.
Return is by the same route. The trail can be completed in approximately 3 to 4 hours round trip, though hikers spending time at the beach should budget the full afternoon. A local guide is recommended for first-time hikers, as the trail is not formally maintained and not marked at all junctions.
Trail area: South coast, Antigua
Highlights
- Rendezvous Bay pristine beach (often deserted)
- coastal views throughout the hike
- excellent snorkeling on arrival
- true wilderness experience
Tips
- Carry a minimum of 2 litres of water per person; there is absolutely no water source anywhere on the trail or at the beach.
- Pack snorkeling gear; the clear, calm water at Rendezvous Bay offers excellent coral and fish viewing directly off the beach without a boat.
- Allow 4–5 hours total including beach time; the multiple ridge climbs on the return leg are more tiring than the outbound walk.
- Start no later than 7am; the exposed scrubland sections are extremely hot by mid-morning and the trail offers almost no shade.
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support; the descent to the beach involves loose rock and requires stable footing.
- Inform someone of the hiking plan before setting out; mobile signal is absent in parts of the trail corridor and the beach has no emergency services.
FAQ
Is Rendezvous Bay accessible by road?
No. Rendezvous Bay has no road access. It can only be reached by hiking the trail from the south coast road near Cobb's Cross, or by boat from other anchorages along Antigua's south coast.
Are there any facilities at Rendezvous Bay?
There are no facilities of any kind at the beach — no bar, restaurant, toilets, fresh water, shade structures, or emergency services. Hikers must be entirely self-sufficient for food, water, and medical supplies for the duration of their visit.
How difficult is the Rendezvous Bay hike?
The hike is rated challenging. The difficulty comes from multiple steep ridge crossings rather than a single long ascent, combined with loose trail surfaces, significant heat exposure, and the physical effort required on the return leg after time at the beach.
Is a guide recommended for this trail?
A guide is advisable for first-time hikers. The trail is not formally maintained and some junctions are unclear. Local guides can be arranged through hotels in the Falmouth Harbour area or through Antigua's tourism office.
Can the hike be done in the wet season?
The route can be hiked year-round, but the wet season from June through November brings higher humidity, softer and more slippery trail surfaces after rain, and a greater risk of weather deteriorating rapidly. The dry season is strongly preferred.
Accessibility
The Rendezvous Bay Hike is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. The route involves multiple steep ridge climbs on rough, uneven terrain with no maintained surface at any point. The beach itself is reachable only by this trail or by boat, and has no facilities for visitors with limited mobility.
When to visit
The dry season from December through April is the recommended time for this hike, offering the firmest trail conditions, lowest humidity, and clearest Caribbean views. A very early morning start before 7am is essential, as the exposed terrain becomes extremely hot by mid-morning and trail fatigue on the return ridge crossings is a significant consideration.