Antigua Holidays

There’s a wide variety of things to do in Antigua, so you’re never far from a fun day out with the family, or as a couple.

• For families with children, a visit to Half Moon Bay is essential. This gorgeous destination is scattered with crystal-clear rock pools for checking out marine life, and a number of little coves, making it an ideal destination for having fun as a family.
• Dickenson Bay is the most secluded of all Antigua beaches. It’s a perfect spot for watersports and family-friendly activities, and offers plenty of beach bars.
• To really immerse yourself in the culture of this beautiful Caribbean island, head to Nelson’s Dockyard in the English Harbour to learn more about British colonial history.
• Other fun excursions include an off-road tour to Devil’s Bridge, a large natural rock formation with holes that shoot water from the sea, and Betty’s Hope, a historic sugar plantation established in 1650.
• If the simple resort life typified by Jolly Beach sounds more appealing to you, Antigua's all-inclusive resorts are the perfect place to relax. While the time away in a tropical paradise, surrounded by white sand and crystal, turquoise waters, perfect for fun in the sun.

As with the rest of the Eastern Caribbean region, Antigua has incredible weather and refreshing waters, making it the ideal destination to relax in the sun.

• Antigua beaches are not in short supply, so it’s easy to find one that suits you. Families will love the watersports and fascinating marine life on show, and couples will find plenty of romantic spots for some peace and quiet.
• If you head to the north west, you’ll find some of the island’s most popular beaches, including St John’s, Hawksbill Bay and Dickenson Bay.
• Ffryes Beach offers a more quiet, secluded experience and is easily accessible from Jolly Beach Antigua Resort, and Jolly Harbour, which is also close to Darkwood Beach.
• If you’re exploring Antigua as a family or group of friends, you can hire a catamaran and navigate the coast at your leisure. This is particularly handy for some of the beaches that are harder to reach by car.
• Couples will enjoy the aptly named Love Beach, found on Antigua’s western coast, which has a stretch of soft, white sands and gentle waves.

Antigua’s cuisine is typical of the Eastern Caribbean, with plenty of seafood and traditional Caribbean dishes. If freshly caught fish and delicious, hearty stews sound like your kind of meal, then you’ll love what Antigua has to offer.

• In Antigua, you’ll find a real smorgasbord of international food from around the globe, including American, Italian and French cuisines.
• Thanks to the gorgeous weather, eating outside is a favourite pastime and barbeques are very popular.
• Wander the local street markets and sample delicious barbequed fish, rotis and chicken, particularly around the English Harbour and St John’s.
• Antigua specialties include pepperpot, a hearty stew made from vegetables and cured meat, and roti, patties filled with curried potatoes, chicken or beef. Don’t forget to try ducana, a concoction of grated sweet potato, coconut, sugar and sweet spices, all served inside a banana leaf.
• Most of the best restaurants in Antigua will serve that day's freshly caught fish, making for some of the finest seafood dishes you’ll ever try.
• Those who enjoy a drink on holiday will love the wide selection of rum available on the island. The most popular brands are Antigua English Harbour and Antigua Cavalier.

This part of the Caribbean is as famous for its nightlife as it is for its beaches. West Indians love to go out and socialise, and the natives of Antigua are no exception.

• From lazy beach bars to wild nightclubs, Antigua has something to suit everyone. Grab a cocktail and watch the sunset, or stay out until dawn while you dance to some great Caribbean classics.
• Antigua nightlife is huge, with a wide selection of nightclubs, discos, clubs and bars to choose from.
• The choice of music is seemingly never-ending here too. Clubs play everything from dancehall and calypso, to hip hop and Euro dance classics.
• Antigua has historic and natural attractions which provide visitors with amazing views while they party the night away. Some of the most innovative nightlife venues are located inside restored buildings from the Creole period, and even inside forts.
• Some of the best bars in Antigua include BeachLimerz, a traditional wooden beachside bar in St John’s with shutters that overlook the sea, and Shirley Heights Lookout, which is based in a fort overlooking the English Harbour.

With a beach for every day of the year and a thriving watersports scene, Antigua is a perfect destination for family holidays and offers the ideal place to reconnect with your loved ones.

• With so many family holiday resorts in Antigua, you and your family will be spoiled for choice. All-inclusive packages are the perfect way to please everyone, from kids and teenagers to adults.
• Many of the island’s beaches are protected by coral reefs, providing calm waters which are perfect for inexperienced swimmers, the elderly and young children.
• Lots of the island’s most popular family-friendly activities revolve around the beach. Swimming, beach sports, zip-lining through the nearby rainforest, and taking boat trips around the island are all common tourist experiences.
• Thanks to the island’s colonial heritage, a holiday here is not only fun, but educational as well. The capital, St John’s, and Nelson’s Dockyard at the English Harbour, are both fun and fascinating days out.

Few places on Earth offer the natural romance of Antigua. With stretch after stretch of powdery white sand, a tropical climate and clear blue skies overhead, this is the perfect holiday destination for couples hoping to relax, reconnect and rejuvenate.

• The island has a welcoming ambience and a real sense of joie de vivre, making it the ideal place for celebrating a special anniversary, or starting married life together on a honeymoon.
• For couples looking for a little peace and quiet on adults-only holidays, Antigua has plenty of options. Enjoy the serenity of an adults-only resort, while you sip refreshing cocktails and stay up late at your hotel bar... or one of the many fantastic bars and clubs on the island.
• One of the most romantic activities in Antigua includes scuba diving (or snorkelling) at Cades Reef, giving you the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the island’s most beautiful, exotic marine life.
• Head to Long Bay and Dickenson Bay for unforgettable underwater exploration experiences.
• Of course, Love Beach is the ultimate spot for couples. With the softest white sand, gorgeous blue seas and gentle waves, romance is sure to blossom here.
• It’s easy to surprise your significant other with a romantic picnic in Antigua. Some of the island’s most scenic beaches, like Deep Bay, Jolly Beach, Darkwood Beach and Half Moon Bay are a beautiful setting for eating and drinking while watching a fantastic sunset.
• Planning on popping the question or celebrating a special anniversary? Antigua’s paradise-like beaches are the perfect venue for a memorable proposal or declaration of love. They’ll certainly never forget it!

Antigua is the ideal holiday destination if you want to learn more about classic Creole culture.

• Although many people around the world associate the word Creole with the Caribbean, it actually refers to French-speaking people, primarily from Europe, who were born in the Caribbean. In Antigua, the term Creole can also be used to describe people of all ethnicities who were born and raised in the region.
• African influences play a huge role in Antiguan culture. A large number of local musical genres feature steel drums, reggae and calypso beats. Calypso holds a special place in the heart of Antiguans as, historically, it was invented by slaves who were forbidden to communicate in other ways.
• Carnival is the cultural highlight of the year in Antigua. It’s celebrated every July and August for 10 days, in commemoration of the 1834 act of emancipation from slavery. Coinciding your trip with Carnival gives you a prime opportunity to hear classic Antiguan music, see plenty of vibrant, intricately decorated costumes, and learn about the island’s history through live music, pageants and parades.

What currency should I take to Antigua?

In Antigua, Eastern Caribbean Dollars are accepted everywhere.

What is the best time of year to go to Antigua?

The island's off-peak season is between May and November, which is ideal for cheap holidays to Antigua. However, for the best weather, the ideal time to travel would be between December and April.

Do I need injections to go to Antigua?

The World Health Organization recommends having vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatits B, meningitis, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

How long does it take to get to Antigua?

The average flight time from London to Antigua is 8 hours and 35 minutes.

Are there direct flights to Antigua?

Direct flights to Antigua are available from London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.