Why? I lost my heart to snorkelling in Antigua because of its spectacular reef. I saw my first parrotfish here, a magnificently multicoloured fish.

The best thing? It is quite unspoiled for a Caribbean island and the wildlife is fantastic. I love the bananaquits, little yellow birds that like to feed on bananas and don't mind humans.

My ideal day: I'd get up early and have breakfast on the balcony, putting out a banana for the bananaquits. Then I'd go snorkelling in the morning and, in the afternoon, I'd drive into St John's for a late lunch. I'd snorkel again toward the end of the afternoon, then watch the sunset. As night fell, I'd listen out for the tree frogs to start up.

My advice: Go to Long Bay, a public beach ideal for snorkelling.

Getting there: Virgin Atlantic (01293 747747, virgin-atlantic.com) flies Gatwick-Antigua for around £550 return.

Where was your best holiday? A working visit to the Samburu national reserve in Kenya, which is so remote it makes the Masai Mara look like City Slickers!

What is the best hotel you have ever stayed in? Banana Cove, Antigua (001 268 463 2003, $70-$210). It was half empty, the rooms were huge and it overlooked the bay.

Where do you want to go next? Australia.

What do you never travel without? Ear plugs.

· Barbara Gowdy's sixth novel, The Romantic (Flamingo, £15.99), has just been published.