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Antigua's corrugated coasts cradle hundreds of perfect little coves lapped by beguiling enamel-blue water, while the sheltered bays have provided refuge for everyone from Admiral Nelson to buccaneers and yachties. If you can tear yourself away from that towel, you'll discover that there’s a distinct English accent to this island. You'll find it in the bustling capital of St John's, in salty-glamorous English Harbour, and in the historical forts and other vestiges of the colonial past. Yet, Antigua is also quintessential Caribbean, full of candy-colored villages, a rum-infused mellowness and engaging locals who'll greet you with wide smiles.

Cuisine

Antigua has something for everyone with a good range of West Indian, French, Italian, English and North American dishes on offer. Seafood is a speciality, caught fresh and served with traditional recipes. Rum is the island's tipple of choice, with Cavalier and English Harbour the recommended local brands.

Beaches

There are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each day of the year. Most of Antigua's beaches are fringed with protected waters, and every inch of sand is publicly accessible. Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay on the northern coast are great for the full-on beach resort experiences with shops, bars and restaurants galore. Sun worshippers are drawn to Half Moon Bay National Park on the eastern coast, often cited as Antigua's most beautiful stretch of sand.

Climate

Antigua is one of the driest islands in the Caribbean, with most rainfall occurring September - November in short refreshing bursts. January and February are the coolest months, and July and August are the hottest, but refreshing trade winds always keep the heat manageable.

Shirley Heights

This rambling array of gun emplacements and military buildings is best known for its breathtaking views. From the Heights you can look over English Harbour, and on Sunday afternoons the panoramas are accompanied by a barbecue, rum punch and reggae.

Diving and Snorkelling

One of Antigua's best-known offshore sites, Cades Reef, is now partly contained in a designated underwater park, teeming with beautiful fish and coral. Another popular destination is the wreck of the Andes, a three-mast merchant ship that sank in 1905 and now rests in less than thirty feet of water in Deep Bay. The southern and eastern coasts are considered to offer the most consistent diving, but more advanced divers are drawn to Sunken Rock on the south coast. Dive depths generally range from 25 to 80 feet and can reach 180 feet; distances from shore to site are in some cases no more than 5 minutes.

Cricket

Antigua is renowned for its fervent devotion to cricket. The sport is played everywhere and at any time, but the official season season lasts January - July. The Antigua Recreation Ground is one of the most exciting places in the world to observe a match. The local crowd is extremely devoted to the game, making for an electric atmosphere.