There's history, culture, shopping and coral reefs to discover on Antigua then
you can chill out on some of those beautiful beaches!
In a nutshell
Located in the middle of the Leeward Islands, in the eastern Caribbean,
Antigua is a wonderful holiday destination with something for everyone.
Very laid-back, it has beaches galore, safe waters and a nearly unbroken wall
of coral reef. Horatio Nelson's fully restored dockyard makes for a great day
out, as does the capital of St John's with its lively market and duty-free shops.
Take to the sea on a hired boat and explore Barbuda, approximately 30 miles
north, or Redonda, an uninhabited island that is now a nature reserve. For
panoramic views, climb Boggy Peak, the highest point on Antigua.
Getting there
Flight Details You fly direct to Antigua
from Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic or from Manchester with bmi. Local airport
departure tax is currently EC$50 (approx
£13) per person over 11 years and payable
in local currency or US dollars (US$20).
Flight Time Approx 8 hours 40 min
Star attractions
- 365 Beautiful Beaches
- Heritage-Filled Nelson's Dockyard
- English Harbour with Restaurants
- Shirley Heights for Great Views plus Reggae and Rum
- Barbuda, Antigua's Little Sister
Events calendar
Key Events:
Apr-May Antigua Sailing Week
May Annual Tennis Week
Jul-Aug Antigua Carnival
01 Nov Independence Day
Handy stuff
Time Difference GMT -4 hours
Language English
Currency Eastern Caribbean Dollar EC$
Additional info
Best Beaches
Half Moon Bay on the east coast is recommended, as is Darkwood Beach for snorkelling and beachcombing. At Long Bay, there are coral reefs in water so shallow you can walk out to them!
Sailing and Water Sports
Book a catamaran trip and sail around the island. Dutchman's Bay is great for windsurfing or head to Jabberwock Beach - at St John's, one of the first beaches to introduce the sport of kite surfing.
FREE Excursion
Guests can enjoy a FREE excursion to Shirley Heights on Sun afternoon/evening. The place to be, it offers amazing views, great live reggae, delicious rum cocktails and a festive atmosphere!
Days Out
St John's is the capital city with museums, a cathedral and duty-free shopping. Nelson's Dockyard will fascinate as will natural landmark, Devil's Bridge on the east coast. Barbuda is home to Coco Bay, the finest of beaches.