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Holidays in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda Main Guide | Things to do

The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are located in the Eastern Caribbean, forming part of the Leeward Islands Group. Antigua, which contains the capital, St John's, measures about 22km by 17km. Barbuda is about half its size. The tiny and uninhabited island of Redonda is also administered from St John's. It is designated as a nature preserve.

The islands have been inhabited for over 4,000 years; first by Siboney people and later by Carib and Arawak people. The Spanish and French, and later the English arrived and set up colonies based on sugar production.

The climate is dry and warm year round, with a steady trade wind which was once vital to the islands' sugar-exporting economy and today makes the islands an excellent venue for the annual Sailing Week. The islands are the sunniest in the Eastern Caribbean.

Antigua is home to most of the population, which numbers just under 70,000. The island also contains all of the main settlements and the centre of government at St John's. Most of the nation's attractions and facilities are located on Antigua.

Barbuda is largely undeveloped and very sparsely inhabited. Visitors come to the island to enjoy the beaches of white and pink sand and to indulge in diving, snorkling, hunting and fishing. Sports such as golf and tennis are also popular, and visitors enjoy visiting the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. There are a number of hotels and guest houses on the island, which can be reached by air or by boat from Antigua.

Getting around is not difficult. There are numerous car hire firms on Antigua and a local bus service. Taxis are also readily available. Boats between Antigua and Barbuda take about 3 hours for a conventional vessel or 90 minutes for the Barbuda Express. It is also possible to rent a boat (with or without crew) At St John's Harbour.

Antigua & Barbuda Facts At A Glance

Area: 442.6 square km.

Climate: Tropical maritime with little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain: Mostly low-lying with some higher volcanic areas

Population: 68.7 Thousand

Languages: English

Currency: EC Dollar

Time Zone: 4 Hours behind GMT

International Dialling Code: +1 268

Food and Drink

Antigua and Barbuda have been influenced buy various cultures, and the cuisine on offer reflects this. You can find anything from fast food to traditional Caribbean dishes in the restaurants of the islands. There are also restaurants serving Mexican, French, Italian, Chinese and Vegetarian cuisine.

Some hotels require guests to dress for dinner – jacket and tie for men and a dress for women.

Why not search our database of cheap antiguan and barbudan holidays now by visiting the holidayco.co.uk homepage and using the search facility.

Things to do

There is plenty to do on Antigua and Barbuda. There are watersports including boating, windsurfing and sailing on offer along the coasts, and divers will want to explore the many wrecks off the coasts of the islands. Fishing, from the coasts or aboard boats out to sea, is also popular.

On land, you can explore on foot or horseback, or take a safari tour and be shown the sights. Alternatively, take to the air aboard a helicopter and see the islands form above.

If you just want to relax and get away from it all on the beach, then Antigua has one for every day of the year. Most of these 365 beaches are on the Caribbean side of the island and have calm waters. Some of the beaches are popular with particular groups such as surfers or nudists, but there are plenty to choose from. Barbuda also has miles of excellent beaches, though many are less well protected from the sea than those on Antigua.

The islands have a long and varied history. You can see traces of it at the capital, St John’s, which is well worth exploring. Its fine baroque church has been twice demolished by earthquakes and rebuilt. The town has a good range of shops and restaurants, plus the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda which contains exhibits showing the formation of the islands, the native people that lived there and the coming of Europeans, right up to the present day.

Shoppers will like the Friday and Saturday morning markets in St John’s. Buy fresh tropical fruit straight from the farms or browse through local handicrafts. Pottery has long been part of Antiguan life, and the local pottery industry centres on Sea View Farm Village.

The Leeward Islands were an important base for the British navy during the Age of Sail. The dockyard has been extensively restored and is maintained as a historical exhibit. Nearby are Clarence House, built for the future King William IV during his naval service, and the fortifications that protected the harbour’s observation post. These lie on Shirley Heights, from where you can see all the way to Monserrat and Guadeloupe. The heights are the venue for a barbecue and live music every Sunday.

If you are looking for culture, the best lace to find it is the Harmony Hall Art Gallery in Brown’s Bay. The hall hosts a craft fair and local artists’ exhibitions and has a bar where you can sip a cool drink and watch far out over the bay.

Cricket is a national obsession on Antigua, with games played almost anywhere and at any time. Formal matches are most commonly on Thursdays and at weekends. If you come at the right time you may catch a test match at the Antigua Recreation Ground.