Antigua

Why go

Antigua likes to say it has a beach for every day of the year, and after a week of swimming off white sand in calm, clear water you won't argue. It's an easy island to enjoy: English is spoken everywhere, the roads are short, and there are direct flights from London. Beyond the beaches you'll find Nelson's Dockyard, the Georgian naval base in English Harbour that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and on Sunday evenings the whole island seems to head up to Shirley Heights for steel pan, reggae and the sunset.

When to go

It's warm all year, with temperatures of roughly 23–30°C. December to April is the driest and most popular time, and the best choice for winter sun. From June to November you're in the Atlantic hurricane season, and September to November is the wettest stretch. Late spring and early summer often bring good value, with sunny days and quieter beaches.

Getting there from the UK

British Airways flies non-stop from London Gatwick and Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow to V.C. Bird International Airport, about 8 km from the capital, St John's. The flight takes around nine hours. Most resorts are 15 to 45 minutes from the airport by road. Tell us your nearest airport and we'll check connections for your dates.

Where to stay

• Dickenson Bay (northwest): a long, lively beach close to St John's, with water sports, beach bars and restaurants within walking distance.
• Jolly Harbour and the west coast: a marina, a golf course and some of the island's longest beaches, with sunsets over the sea.
• English Harbour and Falmouth (south): history, yachts and the best choice of restaurants, close to Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights.
• Long Bay and the east: quieter, reef-protected bays near Devil's Bridge, home to several all-inclusive resorts.
• Mamora Bay (southeast): a sheltered bay just east of English Harbour, with a large all-inclusive resort on its own peninsula.

What to do

Walk the restored stone buildings of Nelson's Dockyard, then join the Sunday party at Shirley Heights for barbecue, rum punch and one of the best views in the Caribbean. Take an island safari by open-sided jeep to Betty's Hope sugar plantation and the sea arch at Devil's Bridge. Sail around the whole island by catamaran, with a lunch stop at Green Island, or snorkel the two-mile barrier reef at Cades Reef. Feed and swim with southern stingrays at Stingray City, fly through the rainforest on a zipline, or cross to Barbuda for the frigate bird colony and its long pink-tinged beaches.

Food

The national dish is fungee and pepperpot, a cornmeal dumpling served with a rich vegetable and meat stew. Try saltfish, ducana (a sweet potato dumpling) and fresh grilled lobster in season, and look out for the small, very sweet Antigua black pineapple. Wash it down with a Wadadli beer, local English Harbour rum or a rum punch at a beach bar.

Good to know

• Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). US dollars are widely accepted.
• Time: four hours behind the UK in winter and five hours behind in summer.
• Plugs: most hotels use US-style sockets at 110V, so pack an adapter.
• Language: English.
• Driving: on the left. You'll need a temporary local driving permit to hire a car.
• Entry: British passport holders don't normally need a visa for a holiday. Check the current rules before you travel.

Tell us your dates and airport, and we'll put together flights, a hotel and experiences to suit you.