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Antigua claims to have 365 beaches, each benefiting from the white sands and sparkling waters of the Eastern Caribbean's Leeward Islands. Nature is at the heart of Antigua, an island veined with hiking trails and verdant expanses of seemingly endless green. Admire the view or strike out on a New World adventure. The choice is yours.
- Flight time: Approx 8 hours
- Passport & Visa: No visa required for UK passport holders
- Currency: East Caribbean Dollar
- Time Zone: GMT-4
- Language: English & Antiguan Creole dialect
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Culture
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.
InFocus: Antigua
Antigua claims to have 365 beaches - one for every day of the year! Whilst we couldn't quite make it to every one of them we did find some incredible things along the way. From zip lining to the national park of Devil's Bridge to irresistible restaurants and party boats, take a look at why Antigua should be on your must visit list...
Blue Waters & The Cove Suites
Join us as we go #InFocus in Antigua and take you on a tour of Blue Waters & The Cove Suites
Blue Waters & The Cove Suites - Blue Bay Travel Top Picks
We give you the Top Picks chosen by us here at Blue Bay Travel, so you know what to check out at Blue Waters & The Cove Suites
Galley Bay Resort & Spa
Join us as we go #InFocus in Antigua and take you on a tour of Galley Bay Resort & Spa
Galley Bay Resort & Spa - Blue Bay Travel Top Picks
We give you the Top Picks specifically chosen by us here at Blue Bay Travel, so you know what to check out first at Galley Bay Resort & Spa
The Verandah Resort & Spa
Join us as we go #InFocus in Antigua and take you on a tour of The Verandah Resort & Spa
The Verandah Resort & Spa - Blue Bay Travel Top Picks
We give you the Top Picks specifically chosen by us here at Blue Bay Travel, so you know what to check out first at The Verandah Resort & Spa
St James's Club & Villas
Join us as we go #InFocus in Antigua and take you on a tour of St. James’s Club & Villas
St James's Club & Villas - Blue Bay Travel Top Picks
We give you the Top Picks specifically chosen by us here at Blue Bay Travel, so you know what to check out first at St. James’s Club & Villas