Travelisto destinations

Antigua and Barbuda holidays

A beach for every day of the year, Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour, and Barbuda’s pink-sand shore.

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Overview

Welcome to Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua is famous for having 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, ringed by coral reefs and calm, clear water. It is one of the Caribbean’s easiest islands to reach from the UK, with direct flights from London Gatwick, and has a great choice of hotels, from relaxed all-inclusive resorts to adults-only hideaways and private-island luxury. The west and north coasts, around Dickenson Bay, Jolly Harbour and Hawksbill Bay, have the calmest swimming; the south coast has the classic beaches of Darkwood and Ffryes.

In the south, English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are the heart of Antigua’s sailing life, with restored Georgian buildings, the Shirley Heights lookout and its Sunday-evening party. St John’s, the capital, has a colourful market and the cruise port. A short flight or ferry away, Barbuda is wild and empty, with miles of pink-tinged sand and one of the world’s largest frigate-bird colonies.

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Best for: beach lovers, couples and honeymooners, sailors, families on an all-inclusive holiday, and anyone who wants direct flights and an easy transfer. It pairs well with Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, or a Caribbean cruise.

From the team

Why we love Antigua and Barbuda

Amanda — Travel Designer · Music & Culture

Antigua is the island I suggest when a beach is the whole point. Stay on the west coast for calm water, and do not miss Shirley Heights on a Sunday evening.

Amanda Amanda, Americas & Caribbean Specialist Meet our Travel Designers

Find your trip

Holiday types in Antigua and Barbuda

Pick a holiday style — or combine two. Each section links straight to the next step.

City breaks

Antigua and Barbuda's cities reward 2-4 nights each — pair two for a tailor-made multi-centre trip.

St John’s

St John’s

The capital: the twin-towered cathedral, the Saturday market, Heritage Quay and the cruise port.

Cruises

St John’s is one of the Eastern Caribbean’s busiest cruise ports, and Antigua is a regular call on winter Caribbean itineraries.

See all Antigua-departure cruises ->

Practical info

Knowing before you go

When to go
Jan
29°
Feb
29°
Mar
29°
Apr
30°
May
31°
Jun
31°
Jul
31°
Aug
32°
Sep
32°
Oct
31°
Nov
30°
Dec
29°

The dry season, December to April, is the best time, with sunshine, around 29–30°C and lower humidity. May and June are good-value shoulder months. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October.

Flights & how to get there

Direct flights from London Gatwick take about 8 hours 30 minutes. Most resorts are within 30 minutes of the airport; English Harbour is about 40 minutes.

Visa & passport

UK passport holders do not need a visa for a holiday. For up-to-date entry requirements and safety advice, check the UK FCDO travel advice for Antigua and Barbuda.

Currency & money

The Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD); US dollars are widely accepted. Cards work in hotels and most restaurants.

Language & tipping

English.

Health & safety

Drink bottled water where advised, use insect repellent (dengue is present in the Caribbean) and pack high-factor sun cream. Consult your GP about six weeks before you travel and buy comprehensive travel insurance.

FAQs

Antigua and Barbuda — your questions

When is the best time to visit Antigua?

December to April, the dry season. Antigua is one of the drier Caribbean islands, but the hurricane season still runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October.

How long is the flight to Antigua?

About 8 hours 30 minutes direct from London Gatwick.

Does Antigua really have 365 beaches?

That is the island’s famous claim — and whether or not you count them all, there are dozens of excellent beaches, most with calm water protected by reefs.

Is it worth visiting Barbuda?

Yes, for a day trip or a few nights. Barbuda has miles of empty pink-tinged sand and a large frigate-bird colony, reached by a short flight or ferry from Antigua.

Make this trip yours

Plan your Antigua and Barbuda holiday with a Travel Designer

Pick from any of the options on this page or tell us what you have in mind — we'll build it around how you actually like to travel. ATOL protected, flights included, real humans available 9am–7pm.

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