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Things To Do In Antigua
Need tips on things to do in Antigua? Read on...

Go On Boat Trips - If you run out of time to explore all those Antigua beaches there are smaller islands nearby - the Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, St Martin and St Barths.

Enjoy Water Sports - Antigua offers plentiful opportunities for water activities including windsurfing, kite surfing, diving, sailing and kayaking.

Hire a Yacht - There are boat and yacht charters available and spectacular diving opportunities with numerous barrier reefs and wrecks to be explored.

Golf - There are two picturesque golf courses in Antigua.

Enjoy Cricket - The Antiguan Recreation Ground in St John is the home to test matches although you will have plenty of opportunities for cricket games on the beach with the locals.

Visit Antigua Shipwrecks - The Andes Wreck, an 80-year-old freighter wreck at the entrance to Deep Bay is one of the best known of the many wrecks.

Historical Attractions – Antigua is littered with old English colonial forts and naval bases, as well as other sites of colonial interest, especially Nelson’s Dockyard.

Go on Safari - Take a jeep safari to remote bays and coves.

Helicopter Flights - Enjoy a helicopter flight over the island and the neighbouring, spectacular volcano island of Montserrat.

Antigua Attractions

Frigate Bird Sanctuary – On this spectacular nature reserve huge black frigate birds fly above the waters.

Stingray City - Swim with stingrays in North Antigua in an eco friendly environment.

Devil's Bridge – A natural bridge of limestone rocks in South East Antigua with a nearby blowhole shooting seawater and air.

Betty's Hope – This picturesque ruin was the first Antigua sugar plantation.

Wallings Forest Nature Trail - A nature guide will take you up to one of the higher hills offering fabulous views over Antigua.

Indian Town National Park - One of Antigua's famous National Parks.

St Johns Market – Colourful Saturday morning market offering everything from fruits to beautiful flowers and handicrafts.

St Johns Cathedral - Anglican Church famously rebuilt over the years due to earthquake destruction.

Museum of Antigua and Barbuda – The islands’ history from prehistoric days up to its independence from British rule in 1981. Exhibitions include semi-precious stones, paintings and historical prints.

Nelson's Dockyard

Nelson's Dockyard, the former British Georgian naval dockyard is Antigua’s most famous attraction and a prominent conservation area; one of the Caribbean's biggest visitor attractions and a reminder of the power the English Navy held within the West Indies.

English ships took refuge from hurricanes in this harbour as early as 1671. The park centrepiece is the restored Georgian naval dockyard area, which was used by admirals Rodney and Hood as well as Nelson and was the home of the British fleet during the Napoleonic Wars; under almost constant archaeological restoration and supervision it remains a powerful symbol of the British Empire.

As well as the dockyard museum there are a collection of colonial naval buildings which remain historically intact, including Admiral House, built in 1855; which has displays of Nelson’s telescope and tea caddy along with other British Navy memorabilia. The area also includes sandy beaches and tropical wilderness to explore.

Antigua Travel Info

Capital City is Saint Johns, Antigua. Full Name of the island destination is Antigua and Barbuda. Time Zone: GMT-4 and main language spoken is English. VC Bird International Airport is the destination airport near St Johns with regular flights to and from North America and Europe; and daily flights between Barbuda and Antigua. Fast ferries run between Antigua and Barbuda and there are plentiful port facilities for cruise ships and pleasure yachts moorings. A full range of hire vehicles available on the islands includes jeeps and motorbikes.

About Antigua

In 1493 Christopher Columbus named Antigua after the statue of the Virgin at Seville Cathedral. From 1632 it became a British colony with numerous sugar plantations operated by African slaves. It gained independence in 1981 and is now a member of the British Commonwealth. Tourism is the main industry but it is strictly limited to preserve the natural environment and ensure an exclusive feel. Antigua and Barbuda allow only a small number of tourist accommodations ensuring the landscape is protected and again the experience retains an exclusive feel for visitors. As such Antigua and Barbuda maintain an allure for celebrities and the rich and powerful who have visited regularly over the years, although there are increasingly affordable options for the average tourist. The celebrity list which has visited Antigua includes four times visitor Princess Diana who spent holidays at the famous Barbuda K Club. As well as its first class range of attractions and beach resorts the islands offer a superb range of luxury accommodations including hotels, self-catering apartments, spa hotels and the more basic, albeit popular and romantic beach hut!