Antigua

Things to see & do in Antigua:   

Attractions: Many people consider Antigua’s beaches to be the main attraction, and it’s not hard to see why.   There are hundreds of picture perfect beaches framing the shores of this 14mile long by 11 mile wide island, all flanked by gorgeous turquoise waters which host a whole variety of water sports.  However, Antigua is not all about the beaches.  There are lots of other places to visit whilst in Antigua, none the least at the English Harbour, which is a beautifully restored Georgian naval base in Nelson’s Dockyard National Park.  Here you will find historic forts, a museum, cafes, and hiking trails to explore – or simply sit and watch the world go by as the yachts come in and out of the harbour.  Stingray City is also a must-visit attraction on the island, where you can touch, feed and swim with the Southern Ray ‘the puppy dog of the sea’ amid a beautiful coral reef. The Megaliths of Greencastle Hill are a limestone rock formation often referred to as the ‘Stonehenge of the Caribbean and can be reached by a not-too-challenging hike, where you can take in a fabulous panoramic view.  The capital of St John’s is also well worth a visit, with its beautiful twin-spired cathedral.  For a day trip to Antigua’s less developed sister island of Barbuda, just hop on a 90-minute catamaran ferry ride for a day.  Here you can visit the Frigate bird sanctuary and relax on the island’s almost deserted 8-mile long pink sand beach.

Events/festivals:   The biggest event on the island is the Antigua Sailing Week, which takes place towards the end of April each year.   Skilled yachtsmen and women come from all over the globe to compete in this prestigious sailing event and the whole island gets involved in the party atmosphere.   Another great event in Antigua’s calendar is the Antigua Carnival which celebrates the island’s emancipation from slavery. This colourful 10-day event takes place at the end of July/beginning of August when the island comes alive with vibrant costumes, live music, parades and talent shows.

Sports: Cricket is a big part of the locals’ life in Antigua, and while you’re here, why not try to catch a game of cricket?  There are plenty of watersports to get involved in including some great diving, snorkelling, some fabulous world-class sailing, windsurfing and fishing.

Nightlife:   There is a good amount of nightlight on the island to keep most revellers happy.  For those who like to gamble there is a large casino in the capital of St John’s which offers a range of table games.  The capital also hosts a variety of bars and live music venues. Shirley Heights above the English Harbour hosts a sunset party every Sunday night which offers live music, a barbecue and one of the most stunning panoramic views on the island from which to watch the sun go down.  Other nightlife on the island is concentrated at the various hotels and resorts on the island, which offer a choice of bars and restaurants.

Eating /Drinking:   Antiguan cuisine is a mixture of spicy Creole cuisine and international food.  Some of the local specialities include ‘goat water’ which is a spicy stew and ‘duccana’ which is a side dish of sweet potato, pumpkin and coconut.

Shopping:  The best shopping on the island can be found in the capital of St John’s, where there are two duty free shopping areas plus a great Saturday market. There are also shopping opportunities just outside the capital on Friar’s Hill Road and at the English Harbour.

When to go:

The best time to visit Antigua is between mid-December and mid-April when the weather is a its coolest and driest. The highest risk months for hurricanes are mid-August to mid-October. It can also be hot and muggy around this time.