Holidays in Antigua and Barbuda
Amazing Antigua’s beautiful coastline is littered with beaches offering a huge range of water sports from world-class sailing to kitesurfing. With every type of hotel - from luxury to family all-inclusive - Antigua & Barbuda is a well-rounded holiday destination. And the accommodation is spread throughout the island, so it doesn’t feel overrun with tourists. Join the party at Shirley heights on a Sunday to enjoy the views over the island.
Barbuda is approximately 68 square miles and about 30 miles north of Antigua and you can reach it by boat in about one and a half hours from St Johns. It has the largest colony of frigate birds which are a spectacular sight. There is just one village on the island called Codrington on the edge of a lagoon and the land used to belong to the Codrington family who made money from the sugar plantations on Antigua.
- Quality & luxury
- Friendly
- Diverse
We love Antigua and Barbuda for
When to go to Antigua and Barbuda
The high season runs from mid December to mid April when hotel prices will rise and you will need to book up to a year in advance to get the best deals.
We recommend that you try travelling to Antigua at other times if you are not bound by school holidays, where you will find some great hotel and airfare deals. Check out our latest deals to Antigua with Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. Several hotels close during the quiet season in September and October.
Weather in Antigua and Barbuda
The rainy season runs from July to November although you can still find rain at other times.
The mountains have about four times the amount of rain as the coast.
Flight time
Approx 8.5 Hours
Time difference
GMT -4 Hours (Atlantic Standard Time)
High season
Mid Dec – Mid April
Temperature
28°/22°
Antigua and Barbuda in essence
Local information
The island is approximately 12 miles long and 14 miles wide.
Language – English is the official language.
Currency – The Eastern Caribbean dollar is the official currency.
Local Customs – It is customary to dress smart casual when dining out at restaurants and to only wear swimwear and beachwear on the beach.
Tipping – Restaurant and hotels often include 10% service charge and staff often appreciate a small additional tip for good service.
Voltage – This is 220/240 volts.
Country dialling code is +473 for Antigua and +268 for Barbuda.
Departure tax – See our flight pages for details of the departure tax payable.
Need to know
Emergencies - Dial 4620125 for Police and 46620251 for the hospital.
Security in Antigua and Barbuda – Many visitors travel to the island each year and do not have any incidents however we recommend that you take care at night although the island is mostly hassle free. Take advice from the locals as to any city areas you should avoid at all times and do not leave your belongings unattended on the beach. Use your hotel safe or security boxes to store your valuables. Avoid driving at night outside the main town centres and avoid very isolated beaches.
Other risks - When taking a boat trip check that the boat operator has sails or oars in the event of an engine breakdown, a radio and lifejackets and equipment in the event of a fire. Accidents do happen and boats can break down. When sourcing a water sport provider that is not affiliated to your hotel, make sure they are properly licenced to provide those services, avoid approaches on the beach from vendors offering water sport.
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