Antigua Holidays

You may be tempted not to stray far from your hotel pool or beach – but occasional time out and about will confirm that little Antigua has more than a few surprises in store.

WHAT TO SEE

Beaches

There are 365 of them, so you won’t have far to look! Among the most beautiful are Half Moon Bay, a popular national park and a mile long – and nearby Long Bay, protected by a reef shallow enough to walk to, making it ideal for families. Nelson's Dockyard National Park you’ll spend hours enjoying this superbly restored dockyard dating from the Royal Navy’s 18th century heyday, busy with shops, restaurants and tours.

Betty’s Hope

Dip into Antigua’s earlier history here at the island’s first sugar plantation (1650), complete with restored windmills.

Fig Tree Drive

Fig Tree Drive is one of the Caribbean’s most picturesque drives and a 20-mile journey through lush rainforest with mangoes, pineapples and banana palms.

Shirley Heights 

Climb up to the historic fortifications guarding English Harbour with their world-famous view of the harbour, especially at sunset. The view from Shirley Heights extends beyond the harbour across the Caribbean to Montserrat and Guadaloupe.

English Harbour

English Harbour, Antigua’s graceful and evocative historic district, is focused on the fifteen square miles of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park.  Developed as a base for the British Navy in the great age of sail, the harbour served as the headquarters of the fleet of the Leeward Islands during the turbulent years of the late 18^th century. Although the dockyard was greatly expanded at that time by Horatio Nelson, it was gradually abandoned in the nineteen century and was closed in 1889.  Today, Nelson’s Dockyard has been completed restored, and it is now the only Georgian dockyard in the world.

Antigua and Barbuda Botanical Gardens

Antigua and Barbuda Botanical Gardens are over 100 year’s old featuring exhibits from all eras of Antigua history.

Museum of Antigua & Barbuda

Museum of Antigua & Barbuda is located in an 18^th century Court House (Antigua’s oldest building) and well worth a visit for its cultural and historical insights.

Indian Town

Indian Town is a national park at the remote north-easterly point of the island. Breakers roaring in with the full force of the Atlantic behind them have carved Devil's Bridge and created blow-holes with foaming surf.

WHAT TO DO

Sports

On Antigua you’re rarely far from watersports of every kind – many within steps of the main hotels, especially those on the north-west coast (see At a Glance section for more information on scuba-diving and golf). One cannot fully grasp the culture of Antigua without considering the island’s fierce devotion to cricket.  The sport is played everywhere and at any time, though official matches tend to be held on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.  The cricket seasons lasts from January to July and is interspersed during most seasons with regional and international matches.  Recreation Ground, which became in 1980/1 the 52^nd international test venue, is one of the most exciting places in the world to observe a match. Cycling is fairly easy (except in the hilly southern region) and rentals are available.

Sailing

An Antigua speciality and for enthusiasts THE reason for coming! You can charter anything from a 20-foot ketch to a giant schooner. Or book a lively day cruise on the 108-foot the Jolly Roger pirate ship.

Shopping

If you’ll feeling in need of some retail therapy then make for St. John's? Harmony Hall has an eye-catching selection of Caribbean arts and crafts, with ever-changing exhibits. Temptations also await at Heritage Quay, a shopping and entertainment venue featuring 40 duty-free shops and a range of restaurants.

Nightlife

When daylight fades much of Antigua’s activity centres on the resort hotels and restaurants with bars which either have a DJ or a live band. You can simply wine and dine beneath the stars – or dance the night (and calories!) away. One or two resorts also feature casinos. The best bars are around Dickenson Bay and English Harbour. Things are busiest at the weekend - and generally livelier in the winter season and during regattas and festivals.

For an island of such modest dimensions Antigua succeeds in maintaining a pretty busy social calendar. There’s rarely a month without an event of note.  Here are just some of the key dates.

Regular Events: Woods Gallery represents over 40 artists, features jury-selected Antiguan and Caribbean fine art and craft and has regular exhibitions. Harmony Hall Art Gallery at Harmony Hall Restaurant displays some of the Antigua's finest artists, with monthly exhibitions and well-attended launch parties on the first Sunday of each month in the main season. Antigua Yacht Club holds races throughout the year.

February

Mid-February is the time for Antigua’s two-day annual Valentine’s Regatta.

March

Early March brings the Antiguan Open Golf Tournament, while later in the month the Antigua International Laser and Mega Yacht Challenge competitions are held.

April

At the end of the month Antigua goes yacht-crazy (even more than usual). Things start with the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta – and lead on to Antigua Sailing Week from 29^th April. This is the mega-event of the island year – and one of the biggest dates in the world sailing calendar.

May

With the last week of May comes the Antigua & Barbuda Sport Fishing Tournament.

July

The Sir Vivian Richards Heineken Golf Classic opens end-July. At the end of July 2008 the exciting annual Antigua Carnival celebrates its 51^st anniversary. Carnival culminates in a massive street party called J’ouvert (‘day break’) on the first Monday in August. The dancing goes on all night and stops mid-morning!

October

October features the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club Annual Regatta.

November

1^st November is Antigua’s Independence Day and various celebrations take place in the days preceding. This month, too, Doc’s Sport Fishing Tournament is held out of Jolly Harbour.

December

Don’t miss the Christmas Day Champagne Party in Nelsons Dockyard - from Noon until . . . !!!