Antigua
Antigua possesses an astonishing 365 beaches – one for every day of the year! Whilst some are tiny, secluded coves, others stretch along an open expanse of white coastline. With so many to choose from, you can be sure that the beaches will never be overcrowded and secluded stretches of sand are the norm. For those who want to relax, a cruise along the stunning coastline in a catamaran stopping at a bay for snorkelling and lunch are on offer as well as day trips to neighbouring Barbuda. If you seek something more from your holiday, then Antigua is rich in culture and history - famed for providing a safe haven for Nelson’s British naval fleet. Christopher Columbus found the island in 1493 and the British arrived in 1632 and began developing sugar plantations. At Harmony Hall, you can visit an old sugar mill which has been converted into a complex housing an art gallery displaying paintings, photos and crafts by local artists.
The sights
Forming part of a designated national park, Nelson’s Dockyard at English Harbour is one of the finest natural harbours in the Caribbean and is complete with a museum, shops, hotels and restaurants. Embraced within the park is Shirley Heights, a rambling array of gun emplacements and military buildings, best known today for the breathtaking views. Be sure to travel along the picturesque Fig Tree Drive from the low central plain of the island up into the ancient volcanic hills in the island’s southwest. Along the way are banana, mango and coconut groves as well as a number of old sugar mills and pleasant little churches. Other sights include the charming Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, Indian Town National Park, Fort James and Betty’s Hope Sugar Plantation.
In a nutshell
A picture book tropical island with more beaches than you can imagine - all white sand touched by turquoise seas and lacy waves – this is the Caribbean as you imagine it. Make sure you visit what is claimed to be the most beautiful beach on the island - Half Moon Bay. There’s definitely more to it than sea and sand though and you should not miss a visit to St John, the capital, and Fort James at the northern entrance to the harbour.
The facts
Geography: The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua lies in the north east of the Caribbean. The population is just 66,000 – a third of whom reside in the capital, St John. The island covers 108 square miles.
Language: English, but the local dialect is widely spoken.
Passports: You will need a full 10 year passport valid for 6 months beyond your date of return.
Visas: Not required for British passport holders for stays of less than three months as long as you have a return ticket.
Vaccinations: Vaccinations are strongly recommended. For further information, please consult your doctor.
Travelling time: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, bmi and BWIA fly to Antigua. The travelling time from London to Antigua is around 8 hours.
Local time: GMT -4 hours.
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$). US dollars are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops and you may wish to consider taking US dollar travellers cheques with you. Sterling can be exchanged in banks.
Best times to travel: Amongst the driest in the Caribbean, high season runs from mid-December to mid-April, although there is little monthly difference in temperature or rainfall.
