One of the Caribbean’s sunniest islands, Antigua is a picturesque and incredible island. It is home to 365 beaches, one for each day of the year. The island’s beaches are stunning and provide the dreamy feeling of island life as you walk on the soft white sand and embrace the tranquil island life. It is home to some of the Caribbean’s longest beaches, Half Moon Bay is particularly special and worth a visit with its crystal-clear turquoise waters.
The weather is enticing throughout the year, but in particular it is popular from Christmas to Easter. From mid-December to April Antigua exhibits stunning warm weather and long sunny days during its dry season. Antigua is ideal for a winter sun holiday, it is just nine hours away by direct flight from the UK. For those that choose to visit during the summer months, in late July to early August there is the Antiguan Carnival. Celebrating the emancipation of slavery, it is a country wide celebration with live music and parades and the island comes alive with festivities!
Part of the nation of Antigua and Barbuda, Antigua was once a British Colony and it has plenty of history and culture throughout the island to explore. English Harbour is one of the main ports and there are lots of relics to discover. It is from here that visitors can take the walk up to Shirley Heights, providing one of the best sunsets on the island.
The capital of Antigua is St. Johns, an enigmatic town that is full of vibrancy and culture. It is where locals mix with tourists and there’s wonderful architecture and some delicious seafood found in the restaurants lining the harbour. Local delicacies include lobster, conch and the mahi-mahi fish. Papa Zouk’s is one of the capital’s and island’s best seafood restaurants and very much worth visiting. St. Johns is famed for its nearby fishing and sailing. From the capital holidaymakers can take a boat trip around the island. Some will choose to combine their holiday with Antigua Sailing Week. The regatta is normally held towards the end of ‘peak’ season, in late April or early May, where a large number of boats race around the island.
There is lots to see and do throughout the island. This not only includes relaxing on palm tree lined beaches, but for the more adventurous hiking up Mount Obama for stunning views across the island, enjoying a game of golf, or trying water sports such as kitesurfing and scuba diving. Meanwhile Nelson’s Dockyard is the island’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For those wondering where to stay on this stunning tropical island, there are a number of notable choices. Some of our favourite resorts can be found below such as the amazing Galley Bay Resort & Spa. This resort is set along a golden sandy beach, lapped with warm Caribbean Sea waters.
