Vacations in Antigua

Antigua is the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, comprising an area of about 108 sq miles.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Antigua takes many forms: from the simple villas and cottages to the luxury hotels and pretty much anything in between. Generally resorts are labeled as “luxury” but make sure to ask your friends who’ve been there exactly how luxurious the resort is. Most of the resorts offer all-inclusive packages. If you want to cater for yourself, the best option is to rent a vacation villa.

A lot of the resorts offer spa facilities so if you want to be pampered head to Verandah Resort & Spa Antigua. Most of the resorts offer access to their private gym so don’t worry about eating a bit too much of the local specialties: you can burn the calories off in the gym or jogging on the beach.

If you travel with the kids make sure to choose a resort where kids are allowed. For example at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa and Blue Waters Antigua kids are not allowed (minimum check in age is 21), while some hotels might have other age restrictions (i.e. children under 16 not allowed).

Antigua is a very popular place for weddings. There are weddings taking place here every night, with couples exchanging vows in beautiful gazebos facing the ocean. Honeymooners also flock to Antigua and most resorts offer special packages for such occasions.

>>more information on Hotels and Resorts in Antigua

Things to do

There is a lot to do in Antigua and you sure won’t be bored. Tennis, golfing, riding, cricket (yes, as a true English island there has to be a cricket pitch here!), hunting, hiking, boating, diving, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, deep sea fishing, volleyball, yachting and day tours to the nearby smaller islands. All of the resorts offer at least some of the activities mentioned above.

Of course, let’s not forget soaking in the sun on the 365 beautiful beaches. If you like to flaunt your body, you can spend the days on the nudist beach in Hawksbill on the Northwest coast.

If you travel with the family, the best beaches to head to are located on the East Coast: Half Moon Bay (which is also a National Park) and Long Bay (completely protected by the reef).