Part of the Leeward Islands Group in the northeast of the Caribbean, Antigua is a place to take things easy with a beach for every day of the year, a fabulous climate, luxurious waters and plenty of shopping opportunities. With its great reefs and wrecks it has some of the best diving opportunities in the Caribbean while its neighbour Barbuda is the home of a large rookery. Antigua is one of the busiest islands and constantly attracts new visitors who enter on the cruise ships eager to stroll around the markets or sample some of the local cuisine. Much of the activities revolve around the water and the beaches are among the best in the Caribbean with bright white sands and turquoise shades. Average temperatures range from 24°C to 28°C throughout the year, and it is also one of the driest islands in the Caribbean. Antigua has the shortest flight time of the main Caribbean resorts, taking a little under eight hours on average from UK airports.
With 365 beaches to choose from Antigua will entertain families and fun-seekers alike…
Antigua is one of the leading destinations for watersports in the world. The ocean is packed with diving opportunities and there is a vast yachting and sailing scene. The supreme beaches with their wealth of options are ideal for all sorts of holidaymakers whether families with small children or couples looking for secluded escapes there is something for everyone. There is also plenty to discover away from the beach making Antigua one of the most rounded destinations in the Caribbean, particularly if you are a fan of shopping and good nightlife.
With 365 beaches to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice in Antigua. Carlisle Beach is one of the best for snorkelling and diving, as is Green Island, an uninhabited isle just off the east coast. Long Bay Beach is one of the more rounded bays, with plenty of watersports opportunities as well as the chance to chill out on some of Antigua's finest white sands. Meanwhile if you want to take in the sun and top up your tan, head to Crab Hill Beach, which is cooled by the gentle trade winds and from which you can see the Island of Montserrat on a clear day.
While you're staying in Antigua it's well worth taking a day trip to the Island of Montserrat, which is a lush mountainous area. You should also take some time to explore Barbuda, which arguably has some even more appealing beaches than Antigua as well as some smart hotels.
The most popular tourist attraction in Antigua is the English Harbour, which was once a naval base and now is the home to a number of historic sites. There are many hilltop forts, restored buildings and museums to discover for anyone who fancies a break from simple relaxation. Betty's Hope was the first sugar plantation built on Antigua and two of the windmills and a small visitors centre remain. It's also worth heading to Nelson's Dockyard, which is full of inns, shops, bars and markets and is one of the most popular areas of Antigua. And if there's a test match on, be sure to head to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and catch the cricket… if there are any tickets left!
With its wide variety of boutiques and shops, Antigua, which offers many handmade gifts, is one of the most popular shopping destinations in the Caribbean, particularly among the tourists on the cruise ships, which dock at St John's. Antigua's nightlife never fails to disappoint either with many bars and restaurants offering everything from Mexican to seafood, and a number of clubs and party options. With a lot of authentic West Indian dance to be enjoyed there's a little something for every taste.
