Antigua is a classic Caribbean destination: its lush, green, mountainous interior is fringed with white, sandy beaches, and off its coastline are crystal-clear waters. And it’s historic: much loved by the Royal Navy, with plenty of pirate lore, it’s got forts and shipwrecks, and sugar plantations and colonial architecture, and pastel-coloured buildings. There’s an abundance of sunshine, great cuisine (with drinks to match), and a friendly atmosphere.
Antigua definitely has its share of beach resorts, but its centres offer more than just idyllic white sand and clear waters. Antigua is one of the classic destinations to sail into, but if you don’t own a yacht and want to do more than a spot of sightseeing, then it’s worth staying in one of Antigua’s centres. Colourful, historic St. John’s is also great for local cuisine and culture, and there’s a good range of accommodation. English Harbour has the boutique-style resorts and hotels, great nightlife and plenty for the sailing crew. Dickenson Bay is a great beach break option, with resorts, but there's also plenty to do, and good transport connections. Jolly Harbour is where many of the more affordable resorts can be found.
Ideal for: sightseeing, history buffs, sailors, divers
Capital city of Antigua and Barbuda, St John’s is also the main cruise and ferry port, the largest commercial centre, the most populous city, and home to a fine collection of the island’s cultural and historic attractions, including the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda and Fort James. That said, St. John’s isn’t necessarily the most obvious pick for visitors. It’s certainly picturesque, with pastel-painted colonial-era architecture arranged around the slope of St John’s Harbour, plenty of palm trees and colourful tropical plants, and good shopping opportunities. But most of this is found around the two cruise ship docks: Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay, and some parts of St. John’s do feel quite work-a-day. Visitors looking for contemporary island culture, as well as history and beaches, may really love it, though! There are vibrant weekly markets, strong local fashion and jewellery industries, and some interesting places to eat and drink. There are plenty of beautiful beaches within striking distance of St. John’s, plus the possibility of travelling to more remote beaches by ferry, and there are some great local shipwrecks, coral reefs, and sailing opportunities.
Did you know? Antigua has its own fruit: the Antiguan Black Pineapple, which is known for being sweeter than other pineapples, and the produce market in St John's is one of the best places to try one.
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Ideal for: sailors, beach breaks, families, romantic escapes, diving and snorkelling
English Harbour is a sailing hub now, and has been since the 18th century, when it was a key natural harbour for the British fleet in the Caribbean. It is on Antigua’s southern coast: a beautiful, and peaceful, natural harbour surrounded by lush hills. Nelson’s Dockyard is one of the major local landmarks, you can still see the remains of the naval base in the preserved 18th and 19th century buildings, and it’s a fantastic historical site, surrounded by National Parkland. Fort Berkeley is one of the other key historic landmarks, and visitors might also want to see the views from Shirley Heights, especially at sunset. As well as being beloved by sailors, English Harbour is a fantastic destination for snorkelers and divers too. There’s a good range of accommodation options, from luxurious beach resorts to family-friendly marina-side aparthotels, and romantic hideaways. English Harbour is well set up for visitors, with some excellent restaurants and plenty of holiday atmosphere whatever the time of year. Head to Shirley Heights for the sunset parties, known for their steel drums.
Did you know? Nelson's Dockyard is technically a working dockyard, making it the world's only working Georgian dockyard.
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Ideal for: resort life, beach breaks, families, ocean views, watersports lovers, party people, night owls
Dickenson Bay is a lively collection of beach resorts, arranged along an idyllic stretch of Caribbean coastline. It offers a classic Caribbean beach break: white sand, bright turquoise water, miles of beach to choose from, plenty of watersports on offer, great places to eat and drink and lively nightlife, and a coral reef and several uninhabited islands just off the shore. You can reach Dickenson Bay quickly and easily from St John’s; it’s only about six kilometres away. Dickenson Bay has more accommodation (by number of rooms) than other Antiguan neighbourhoods, so it’s not secluded, but it is perfectly set up for visitors.
Did you know? The reason the waters of Dickenson Bay are so calm is that the beaches are protected by the coral reef, making this a brilliant destination for families.
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Ideal for: resort life, families, sailors, beach breaks
Jolly Harbour is a neighbourhood that has grown up around a marina, with resorts and hotels, and lots of sailing boats moored up on a web of man-made waterways. Many Jolly Harbour properties have access to the water along these man-made channels, and this is a neighbourhood known for its expats and yacht owners. Jolly Harbour’s many resorts benefit from the 18-hole golf course, sports and leisure centre, and the ‘proper’ shops and services that the regular residents need. There are cafes, bars and restaurants too. Jolly Harbour has three beaches, all of them beautiful, and there are many more just a hop along the coastline. Expect plenty of villa and aparthotel accommodation.
Did you know? Jolly Harbour is the largest man-made marina in the Caribbean. It was made from reclaimed swamp-land. Many people use golf carts to get around Jolly Harbour.
