6 Fantastic Reasons to visit Antigua
Fine white sand beaches, candy-cane coloured villages, snorkelling with an abundance of tropical marine life, breathtaking natural scenery and delicious fresh seafood. These are just some of the reasons to visit Antigua. Continue reading for more!
Antigua, a small island that packs a hell of a punch!
At 21 kilometres long with 153 kilometres of coastline boasting 365 beaches, you’d be forgiven for thinking a holiday in Antigua won’t venture far from the sand.
Now, whilst that’s not a bad thing and I’d definitely recommend spending time on the beach, there are many more reasons to visit Antigua. Hiking through lush rainforests, eating delicious fresh seafood, snorkelling with stingrays, sipping on rum cocktails the reasons go on.
Here are my top six reasons to visit Antigua!
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6 Reasons to Visit Antigua
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1. The Beaches
The fact you can sit on a different beach every day of the year makes beaches the number one reason to visit Antigua!
If you’re looking for picture-perfect, fine white sand, swaying palm trees and azure water, with 365 beaches, Antigua has you covered!
Beaches lined with resorts and bars with every watersport you could ever dream of, secluded coves, hot surfing spots, wild and rugged landscapes, calm, shallow lagoons and shore-lined reefs perfect for snorkelling, nowhere does beaches quite like Antigua.
Our Top Tip: the best way to visit beaches on different parts of the island is by renting a car. Buses are few and far between and you’ll usually have to travel via Saint John’s. Taxis can be pretty expensive.
2. The Scenery
The magnificent scenery is also one of the top reasons to visit Antigua.
With 365 beaches, you may believe Antigua is all about the sea and sand. However, dig a little deeper and you’ll be left in awe of what you stumble upon.
Antigua’s landscapes are diverse and varied. One minute you could be snorkelling amongst vibrant coral reefs, and the next, hiking in the rainforest or kayaking around hidden coves before visiting the limestone formations of Devil’s Bridge.
Hike up to Antigua’s tallest peak, Mount Obama for spectacular panoramic views across the island. Watch the sunset from Shirley Heights with sweeping views across English and Falmouth Harbours; one of the top things to do in Antigua. Zip-line through the rainforest and get soaked by the pounding Atlantic waves at Devil’s Bridge.
The island’s stunning scenery is full of surprises and is easily one of the top reasons to visit Antigua.
3. The Rum
There aren’t many places in the world where it’s acceptable to drink cocktails on the beach straight after breakfast, but in Antigua, it’s not only accepted but encouraged!
It’s impossible to visit Antigua and not get hooked on rum while you’re here, it’s the national drink!
Rum punch becomes a staple, whatever time of day. It comes in many different forms but essentially it’s dark, light or coconut rum, mixed with a variety of fruit juices.
Whether you’re on a boat trip drinking from plastic cups comprised of 3/4 rum and 1/4 fruit juice, or you’re by a pool sipping rum punch cocktails infused with herbs and spices, there are endless ways to enjoy the nation’s favourite alcohol.
4. The Candy-Cane Villages
One of the first things you’ll notice when you visit Antigua, is how colourful it is!
As you get out and explore the island, you’ll pass through many vibrant little villages each with a unique character.
Every building is a different colour, shape and size. Teal houses rub shoulders with orange shops. Bright pink houses with dazzling yellow frontages. Streets in Antigua definitely make our streets in the UK look dull!
5. The Food
Hands down one of the best reasons to visit Antigua is the food!
I always find one of the best ways to get to know a country is through its cuisine and Antigua will no doubt take you on a culinary journey!
The food is vibrant and full of flavour. Even if you’re not a fan of spice (like myself) you’ll still be able to enjoy many of the island’s culinary delights.
A few absolute must-tries are jerk chicken; a spicy grilled meat dish, ducana; a sweet potato dumpling in a banana leaf and saltfish; dried and salted cod usually sauteed with thyme, onions, hot peppers and tomatoes.
There’s also fresh seafood to try everywhere you go!
6. The Snorkelling
Antigua has a wonderfully rich marine ecosystem so snorkelling is one of the best things to do in Antigua.
From vivid multicoloured coral reefs home to schools of fish and shipwrecks with an abundance of tropical marine life to swimming, feeding and interacting with stingrays, Antigua is full of great snorkelling opportunities.
There are plenty of great snorkelling spots accessible from the land such as Galley Bay and Dickenson Bay, however, for the best snorkelling in Antigua, I’d recommend taking a boat tour so you can explore the offshore islands and reefs.
Everything Else You Need to Know to Visit Antigua
The best time to visit Antigua
Antigua is a great year-round destination. Although it’s technically hurricane season in the UK’s summer, after speaking to locals, the island is rarely actually affected. Antigua is so small that hurricanes tend to pass by the island and miss it.
I visited at the tail end of hurricane season and on a couple of days there was a 15-20 minute torrential downpour and then the sun was back. It was actually quite fun being in the sea in the rain!
The peak season is November – April when the chance of rain is less but prices soar and places are crowded. I’d recommend to visit Antigua in September/October.
The photos below are taken five minutes apart and the sunny photo is what the weather was like most of the time.
How long would you recommend spending in Antigua?
For those who, like me, enjoy an active holiday, I’d recommend a week. This gives you a few days to relax and also a few days to explore the island and not get fidgety. If you’re a beach baby and love lots of downtime, 10 – 14 days is ample.
Getting around Antigua
Antigua is 281 square kilometres making it great for exploring as you can get anywhere in 45 minutes or less.
Renting a car is the most popular way of getting around Antigua as this gives you the most freedom and flexibility. You’ll need a temporary driver’s license which can be obtained either through the car rental company, police stations or the Transport Board for 20 USD and is valid for 3 months.
Alternatively, taxis are a convenient and popular way of getting around Antigua although they’re fairly expensive. Fares tend to be fixed around the island and these can be obtained on arrival.
Antigua has a small but efficient bus network connecting the major towns and cities around the island. Jolly’s Transport Services provides buses around Antigua and Ivan Bus provides transport between Antigua and Barbuda.
Do I need a visa?
As a UK passport holder, you don’t need a visa for Antigua. On arrival, you’ll be granted entry for 90 days and if you want to stay longer, you’ll have to apply for an extension through the immigration department.
What currency do I need?
The currency used in Antigua is the Eastern Caribbean dollar which, at the time of writing, 1 USD is equivalent to 2.70 XCD. USD are widely accepted, however, you’ll usually be given change in XCD and at a less favourable rate.
What plug do I need?
You’ll need plug types A or B, the same as in the US.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my top six reasons to visit Antigua. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or get in contact 🙂
2 thoughts on “Ultimate Guide to 6 Fantastic Reasons to Visit Antigua”
Thank you for the information on Antigua. Very helpful.
We’re glad you found it useful and hope you have a lovely trip 🙂