Tour and Vacation in Antigua
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General Information
Antigua is the largest island in the Leeward Island chain in the Eastern Caribbean. It is about 22 km long and 18 km wide. Its area is about 280 sq km. It is located in the middle of the Leeward Island chain and is nicknamed "The Heart of the Caribbean" due to its strategic location. To the west of Antigua are the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, to the southwest is the island of Montserrat, and to the south is the island of Guadeloupe.
The island is circular in shape but its coastline is very winding and indented, with hundreds of coves and natural harbors. The island is known for its beautiful beaches, excellent diving sites, its glorious maritime history, and its safe and quiet harbors.
Ffryes Beach in southwest Antigua:
Antigua is considered the main yacht harbor in all of the Caribbean islands, and many important sailing competitions are held at its beaches.
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Shirley Heights Lookout in southeast Antigua:
The island is located at latitude 17 north of the equator and forms a single state together with the smaller island of Barbuda (area 164 sq km) located about 50 km to the north. This state also includes Redonda, a tiny and uninhabited rocky island (area only one square kilometer).
Antigua is a low and mostly arid island made of limestone and hills of coral rocks. Only in the southwestern part of the island is there a mountain range that is ancient, dormant volcanoes. There lies the highest point on the island, "Boggy Peak," which is about 420 meters above sea level.
Did you know? During the Napoleonic Wars, Antigua was the main British base in the Caribbean islands.
Recommended hotels in Antigua
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Cocobay Resort Antigua - An all-inclusive resort for adults only with a 4-star rating. With 2 swimming pools, a spa, and a gym. Some rooms have a private pool
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Galley Bay Resort & Spa - Another all-inclusive resort for adults only with a 4-star rating on a beautiful beach, with lagoons, a pool, and a spa. There are 4 restaurants on site
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Antigua Village Beach Resort - A suite hotel ideal for families with family villas, suites, and studio units.
The Beaches in Antigua
In Antigua, there are 365 beaches - one for every day of the year. All beaches on the island are public, meaning entry to them is free. Some are quiet and isolated and some are located adjacent to large resorts and many of them are magnificent. Some of the beaches are in hidden coves and access to them is only by boat. Most beaches have soft white sand and are protected by a coral reef, so the water is quiet and warm. The beaches in the northwest of the island are more developed, with many resorts nearby offering a variety of water sports activities and restaurants. The challenge facing visitors to the island is not how to get to the best beach of all, but to locate the beach that best fits their taste and character.
The best beaches in the northwest:
The beach closest to St. John's is Fort James Beach, located a five-minute drive from the cruise ship pier. The fare is about 7 dollars. This is a popular beach both among tourists and among locals. Near the shore, the water is quiet and safe, but deeper there are sometimes strong currents. On the sandy beach, many usually play beach volleyball and cricket. Umbrellas and lounge chairs can be rented on site. There is an open restaurant and bar on site. It is recommended to climb up the hill and see the remains of Fort James, after which the beach was named, built to protect St. John's harbor. At the top of the hill, there is another restaurant from which a great view of the area is reflected.
A little north of there is Dickenson Bay Beach, considered one of the most popular and busy beaches on the island. This is a kilometer-long beach with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and water sports activities. This is the ideal place to see and be seen. The water in the sea is quiet and particularly suitable for families with small children. Umbrellas, lounge chairs, and water sports equipment can be rented along the beach. A short distance north of Dickenson Bay is the best site for snorkeling on the island: Paradise Reef. This is a 1.6 km long reef reached by many boats, including glass-bottom boats.
A nearby beach with a similar character is Runaway Beach, which has soft white sand, and along it are popular resorts, restaurants, and bars. This beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Galley Beach, located near Five Islands village (south of St. John's), attracts many surfers during the winter months and jogging enthusiasts in the evening. If you're lucky, you can watch sea turtles that chose the beach as a recommended place to lay their eggs.
The best beaches in the south and southwest of the island:
The sea beaches in the southwest of the island are less crowded and touristy than in its northwest part, and to reach them you must drive on winding roads.
Darkwood Beach and Turner's Beach are two picturesque beaches with crystal clear water and a light and pleasant breeze located near Jolly Harbour in the southwest of the island. These are excellent beaches for swimming and snorkeling, and snorkeling equipment and lounge chairs can be rented there. There are also restaurants and bars on the beaches.
Ffryes Beach, located in the same area, which has soft white sand, is an excellent place for snorkeling. On clear days you can see the neighboring island of Montserrat from it.
Ffryes Beach:
Pigeon Point Beach is located a five-minute drive from English Harbour and so it is recommended to combine a visit to Nelson's Dockyard historical national park with a swim at this popular beach favored by both locals and tourists. On this beach, too, which has soft white sand, there are good conditions for both swimming and snorkeling.
Doigs Beach is a particularly quiet beach in Rendezvous Bay that justifies the relatively difficult drive to it.
The best beaches in the east of the island:
Thanks to the coral reef that constitutes a wall protecting Antigua's beaches, there are also wonderful beaches with a quiet sea on the eastern side of the island, in contrast to the stormy beaches on the eastern side of many islands in the Caribbean.
Half Moon Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. This isolated beach is located in the southeastern corner of Antigua and is suitable for both families and snorkeling, in its quiet eastern part, and for surfers, in its stormier western part. There is a restaurant and bar near the parking.
Long Bay is entirely protected by the coral reef and is particularly suitable for families. It is located at the easternmost point of the island at a distance of about five minutes drive from Willikies village. This beach also has soft white sand, clear turquoise water, and excellent snorkeling options.
Green Island is a small island located near the eastern shore of Antigua. The island has several hidden white beaches and is a popular stop point in many boat tours. The beaches are ideal for diving and snorkeling.
Sports and Active Recreation
The options for sports and recreation in Antigua are many and varied, with the largest selection being of course water sports of all kinds, ranging from sailing, surfing, water skiing, and paragliding to diving, snorkeling, and fishing. At Dickenson Bay Beach you will find the largest selection of options for renting water sports equipment. This beach is also known for its variety of windsurfing options, ranging from beginners taking their first steps in the field to real professionals.
Another popular sport on the island is windsurfing using boards. The best season for this is between January and July.
Coral reefs and shipwrecks surround the island on all sides and are a paradise for divers. The water in the area is so clear that you can see to a depth of 45 meters! Many centers for teaching diving operate on the island, some in large hotels and resorts and some in diving clubs all over the island.
The best diving sites on the island are in the southern and western parts of the island.
Even those who prefer to do sports and stay dry will not be bored for a moment. The island has many tennis courts, squash courts, two golf courses, and many options for cycling and even horse riding.
The favorite sport of Antigua's residents is cricket. Boys and girls, young and old play it on every piece of empty sand or grass. Two particularly popular beaches for playing cricket are Dickenson Bay and Ffryes Beach.
Antigua's Carnival:
Similar to many islands in the Caribbean, Antigua also celebrates the traditional carnival every year in the summer (end of July to early August): for about two weeks the streets are filled with processions and parades, bands and dancing. The festival, which began in 1952 as a one-day event in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, has over the years become the largest carnival in the Caribbean and attracts many revelers to the island.