Antigua Holidays

A holiday to Antigua offers the perfect mix of days spent lounging on the beach, enjoying high-octane activities, and wandering around fascinating heritage sites. Heading to the coast’s blush-coloured sands and blue waters should be top of the list, as there’s a wide selection of gorgeous beaches to discover. Dickenson Bay is perfect for watersports enthusiasts with all kinds of options on offer, from glass-bottomed boats to jet-skis. And Jolly Beach is the ideal spot to kick back and enjoy a cocktail under the parasols on the sand.

Away from the beach, Antigua boasts a lush interior that’s ripe for adventure. Zip-lining through the canopy of trees is a favourite for all ages, providing a thrilling way of taking in the verdant surroundings. If you’re not a fan of heights, why not go kayaking through the tropical mangroves instead?

For buzzing nightlife, eclectic dining and great shopping, a day or two in Antigua’s capital city, St John’s, tops off a perfect trip.

Spread around two sheltered bays, English Harbour is the finest display of Antigua’s rich maritime past. A key base for the British Royal Navy in the 18th century, English Harbour is now one of the island’s top tourist destinations, thanks to its mix of stylish restaurants, pretty beaches and historical attractions. The jewel in the crown is undoubtedly Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nelson’s Dockyard itself is a restored 18th-century British naval base, named for English captain Lord Horatio Nelson, who spent a number of years here.

Shirley Heights Lookout is another spot worth visiting. If you take the time to trek to the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views across English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour beyond. This is also one of the best places in Antigua to enjoy traditional Caribbean music, sip a signature glass of rum punch, and marvel at the colourful sunset at the end of the day.

Every year, Antigua plays host to the infinitely popular Antigua Sailing Week – the largest and most revered regatta in the Caribbean. The regatta began in 1968 and has been held every year since, drawing huge crowds of people and a flotilla of yachts, as people come from far and wide to join the festivities. As well as celebrating Antigua’s maritime heritage, this event is a great excuse for a party. Get ready to soak up the atmosphere, as bars come alive to the sound of steel bands, and rum punch flows into the early hours.

If watching the elegant sailing boats drift past has you turning green with envy, then fear not. On your Antigua holiday, you can charter your very own boat and take it out for a full-day excursion around the island. The long glistening coastline is home to a fine array of secluded coves and bays, where you can stop off for a swim, snorkel and picnic.  

Deciding when to go to Antigua depends entirely on the nature and budget of your holiday. Peak tourist season in Antigua starts in December, when people begin flocking to the islands balmy shores in search of some winter sun. The driest period is February to April, and the latter is also when Antigua hosts its highly-anticipated Sailing Week.

But, with winter being the most popular time to go on holiday to Antigua, it’s also the most expensive season. For an attractive mix of affordable prices and good weather, consider planning your trip in May, June or November. Rains are moderate during these months, while warm temperatures persist – so you can still make the most of the beaches.

July to October is hurricane season, so this time of year is best avoided.

Visa: British citizens do not need a visa to visit Antigua
Language: English
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
Time difference: GMT -5 hours
Flight duration from London: A direct flight takes less than nine hours
Capital city: St John’s

Beginning the last Saturday in April, Antigua Sailing Week is one of the most prestigious in the world. Growing from 10 boats in 1968 to more than 200 today, this popular regatta combines thrilling races on the ocean with lively celebrations on land. Every night is a new beach party, and the week culminates with prize giving at the Lord Nelson’s Ball. Some events are for entrants and club members only, but the atmosphere on Antigua’s south coast is electric whether you watch the competitions from Shirley Heights Lookout or “Chase the Race” on a hired catamaran, yacht, or helicopter.

The skies over Antigua are filled with colour every Easter Monday as locals celebrate the International Kite Festival. Prizes are awarded in various categories, including the biggest and smallest kite, while live performers keep attendees entertained at ground level. The Antigua and Barbuda International Kite Festival attracts flyers from all over the world to the Devil’s Bridge National Park, and visitors are invited to enjoy the spectacle or perhaps grab a kite of their own. Stay at The Verandah, Hammock Cove, or Pineapple Beach Club, and you might even see the kites flying from the comfort of your balcony.