Located in the middle of the Leeward Islands, in the eastern Caribbean, Antigua is a wonderful holiday destination with something for everyone.
In a nutshell
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 St John's with its lively market and duty-free shops. Take to the sea on a hired boat and explore Barbuda, approx 30 miles north. For panoramic views, climb Boggy Peak, the highest point on Antigua. Nightlife is low-key - relax in one of the many restaurants or bars, although some of the hotels boast casinos if you want to test your luck.
Sightseeing ideas
Key Events
Feb - England Cricket Test Match 13-18 Feb '09.
Apr-May - Antigua Sailing Week.
May - Annual Tennis Week.
Jul-Aug - Antigua Carnival.
01 Nov - Independence Day.
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$20).
Flight Time - Approx 8 hours 40 min.
Time Difference - GMT -4 hours.
Language - English.
Currency - Eastern Caribbean Dollar EC$.
Star attractions
- 365 Beautiful Beaches
- Heritage-Filled Nelson's Dockyard
- English Harbour with Restaurants
- Barbuda, Antigua's Little Sister
- Golf at Jolly Harbour
Handy stuff
Local Living
Small beer - £1.00
Can of coke - £1.00
Loaf of bread - £0.50
Bottle of wine - £5.80
The above are approx local supermarket costs.
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 Island Experience
Guests can enjoy a FREE visit 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! (Transportation not included)
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.
Total Flexibility
Tailor-make your ideal Caribbean holiday by combining hotels we feature in different destinations. Try a twin- or triple-centre holiday across different islands or combine with a US city.
Taste of Adventure
The Natural Caribbean - The island of Dominica is one of the most diverse and spectacular of the Caribbean islands.
The Orinoco and The Angel The adventure-hungry among you will find thrills galore on this fantastic holiday in Venezuela.
Weather and climate
