An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Antigua is an indulgent getaway in a paradise setting. Antigua, the largest of the Leeward islands, has a cosiness and charm that welcomes the first-time visitor to the Caribbean and yet has an ease and sophistication that makes it attractive for those returning for rest and relaxation. The island is home to a great range of luxury hotels and resorts including Carlisle Bay, a boutique hotel located on a beautiful sandy beach which offers a great range of activities; and Hermitage Bay, an intimate and charming hideaway which is ideal for relaxation. Antigua is a low-lying island of yellowish green rolling hills that are gentle on the eye, but it is the spectacular coastline of long sweeping white sand beaches, inlets, bays and coves that is undeniably glorious. The island is surrounded by a sea of turquoise green and deep dark blue protected by coral reefs and on the eastern Atlantic edge cliffs and boulders form excellent perches for pelicans. The cosiness of Antigua is enhanced by the cheerful villages with names such as Liberta, Tyrells and All Saints with their numerous churches and colourful gardens surrounding the gaily-coloured houses, many painted vibrant greens, blues, yellows and pinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antigua suits both first-time Caribbean visitors and those returning for a quiet stay. It is the largest of the Leeward Islands, with direct flights from London, a wide range of hotels from intimate hideaways to full-service resorts, and a coastline of sheltered bays and white sand beaches. Its maritime history around English Harbour gives it more depth than a purely beach-focused island.
It depends on what you want from the stay. The west coast has calm water and sunset views, and is home to Hermitage Bay and Galley Bay. The south coast, near English Harbour, has the island's history and the yachting scene, with Carlisle Bay, Curtain Bluff, the Inn at English Harbour and South Point. The north and east coasts catch the Atlantic breeze, with Hodges Bay, Blue Waters, Nonsuch Bay and the private island of Jumby Bay. Your Expressions consultant will match the coast to the kind of holiday you have in mind.
Yes. Antigua is one of the Caribbean's main yachting centres. English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour are the base for Antigua Sailing Week and the Classic Yacht Regatta, both held in spring. Visitors can charter a crewed yacht for a day or longer, sail to offshore islands, or simply watch the classic yachts from a harbourside table. We can arrange sailing as part of a hotel holiday.
Nelson's Dockyard, in English Harbour, is a restored 18th-century Georgian naval dockyard and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its stone warehouses and officers' quarters now hold a museum, restaurants and the island's yachting community. It pairs naturally with Shirley Heights, the restored lookout above the harbour, where a Sunday evening gathering with steel band music watches the sun set.
Antigua is said to have 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. Dickenson Bay on the north-west coast is the liveliest. Darkwood Beach and Hawksbill Beach on the west coast are quieter. Galleon Beach near English Harbour has calm water and a harbour setting. The reef-protected west and south coasts generally have the gentlest swimming.
The driest and most settled months are December to April, when temperatures sit in the high twenties and humidity is lower. May and late November can be good value with fewer visitors. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with September and October the least settled months. Some hotels close for part of that period.
Yes. Barbuda, Antigua's sister island, can be visited on a day trip by ferry, a crossing of around 90 minutes. It is low-lying and lightly populated. It is known for long pink-tinged beaches and the frigate bird colony in Codrington Lagoon, one of the largest in the Caribbean. We can arrange a guided day visit as part of your stay.
Car hire is an easy way to explore, as distances are short. Driving is on the left, and visitors need a temporary local driving permit, usually arranged through the hire company. Roads are generally fine, but signposting is limited, so a good map or navigation app helps. Many guests instead use private drivers for occasional excursions.
Yes. Antigua's good air links make it a natural base for a two-centre holiday. Nevis, a short flight away, adds a plantation-inn atmosphere to Antigua's beach and sailing focus. St Lucia, Barbados and Anguilla can also be combined. Expressions tailors two-centre itineraries with flights, transfers and hotels arranged throughout.
Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be
● Single centre or multi-centre● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to the Caribbean and within the Caribbean, combining flights and private transfers
Our special interest holidays to Antigua
● Watersports holidays● Spa holidays
● Honeymoons and weddings
● Family holidays
● Sailing holidays
Included in all our holidays
● Concierge service● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday
Call us on 01392 441245
Highlights of Antigua
Cricket is the national sport of Antigua. Wadadli is the local beer. There are an exceptional number of places of interest to visit including museums, quaysides, old plantations. Some examples are Parham Harbour and St Peter’s Church, Betty’s Hope old sugar plantation and Harmony Hall, restored Great House with a craft centre. Falmouth, English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard is one of the most picturesque and beautiful harbour areas in the Caribbean. A few of the outstanding beaches on the island include Dickenson Bay, Soldiers Bay, Hawksbill Beach, Galleon Beach and Darkwood Beach. Carnival is at the end of July. Fig Tree drive between Old Road and Liberta is through the rainforest.
Travel around Antigua
The roads are fine except for a few potholes. Car hire is easily arranged and highly recommended. Traffic on a Saturday can be quite heavy in St John’s but you can find parking places. Distances are not too great so it really is easy to get around. Signposting is lacking, and an ordnance survey map is more accurate than tourist maps provided locally.
Antigua travel information
Flying time from London to Antigua is approximately 8 hours.By air
British Airways has direct flights from London Gatwick to Antigua. Virgin Atlantic has direct flights from London Gatwick to Antigua. BMI has direct flights from Manchester to Antigua.Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be
● Single centre or multi-centre● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to the Caribbean and within the Caribbean, combining flights and private transfers
Our special interest holidays to Antigua
● Watersports holidays● Spa holidays
● Honeymoons and weddings
● Family holidays
● Sailing holidays
Included in all our holidays
● Concierge service● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday
Call us on 01392 441245
Here you will find a map of Antigua showing the locations of the hotels that we offer
Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be
● Single centre or multi-centre● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to the Caribbean and within the Caribbean, combining flights and private transfers
Our special interest holidays to Antigua
● Watersports holidays● Spa holidays
● Honeymoons and weddings
● Family holidays
● Sailing holidays
Included in all our holidays
● Concierge service● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday
