Sargassum at Long Bay (Willikies, Antigua): today's state
Clear
Easy, a few traces
At the opposite end of the island from the Caribbean beaches, Long Bay opens near Willikies on Antigua's eastern tip, facing the Atlantic. Its bright water and white sand make it a favourite excursion target on the windward coast, well away from the big western resorts.
This is exactly the kind of shore where a morning check pays off: the 0 to 5 rating refreshed daily, the east-coast map and the verdict drawn from satellite analysis tell you whether the drive across the island is worth it today.
Long Bay Beach on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
On the sargassum map, Long Bay plays in a different league from western Antigua: the east coast absorbs the Atlantic flow first, with nothing standing between it and the great drift carried by the trades. The bay has its own geometry, open to the north and north-east, closed from east-north-east onward, with the beach tucked into its southern end, facing north. Rafts therefore slip in through that north-eastern opening rather than arriving head-on.
The sector has seen severe episodes before: in 2018, on this same Atlantic-facing side of the island, a major south-east coast resort had to close for months because of the strandings, a precedent locals still mention. On an arc of sand only a few hundred metres long, a heavy arrival saturates the shoreline fast, which is why the east-sector rating deserves a look before every visit.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Long Bay more exposed than western Antigua?
It belongs to the windward front: the easterly trades push Atlantic rafts straight at this coast, while the Caribbean side shelters behind the island's whole landmass. Antigua's first strandings usually happen somewhere along this shore.
Do arrivals hit the beach head-on?
Not quite. The bay closes from east-north-east onward and the beach, at its southern end, faces north. Weed enters through the north-eastern opening, so intensity varies with the exact angle of wind and swell.
Has a major stranding happened here before?
Yes: in 2018 a hotel on the bay paused operations during an exceptional run of strandings. That precedent is one reason this sector is tracked daily.
What should I do when the sector rating is high?
Postpone the trip or switch to the leeward side: the west-coast beaches, from Dickenson Bay down to Darkwood, are the natural fallback on days when the Atlantic front loads up.
Is the morning rating still valid for an afternoon visit?
Usually yes: a state assessed at first light holds for several hours. During an active episode, a second glance at the map before setting off is a sensible habit.