Antigua holidays - where there's always sun to be bathed in, water to snorkel in, and rainbow-coloured towns to get lost in.

Holidays to Antigua 2026

• Small and quiet for those chilled island vibes - perfect for laidback holidays 💤

• Delish foodie options (think seafood as fresh as it gets)

• A water sport wonderland - pack your snorkel 🤿

• Year-round sunshine, unlike the disgraceful climate back home

If you're ALL IN on Antigua, check our all-inclusive Antigua holidays.

🎉 3 Fun Facts About Antigua

• 365 beaches – Yep, one for every day of the year. Antigua’s not just beachy – it’s beach royalty. Fancy ticking off a new one daily? Better pack extra swimwear.

• Sunday Funday at Shirley Heights – Antigua’s biggest weekly party isn’t in a club – it’s on a hill. Think steel drums, BBQ ribs, rum punch, and views that’ll have your camera roll begging for mercy.

• Antigua Sailing Week is a BIG deal – Every year, this world-famous regatta brings together party people and pro sailors for a week of racing and revelry. Even if you can’t tell port from starboard, you’ll wanna be part of the action.

🚗 Getting Around Antigua

• 🚌 Buses... Budget with a Breeze - Antigua’s colourful minivans double as local buses – no timetables, but cheap and cheerful. Wave one down, hop in, and enjoy the ride (bonus points if there’s reggae blasting).

• 🚕 Taxis... Friendly and Flexible - official taxis don’t use meters, so always agree on a price upfront. Drivers often double as tour guides, so don’t be shy – they know everything. Like, where to find the best goat curry after midnight.

• 🚗 Car Hire... Explore Freestyle - want to chase down those hidden beaches and secret snorkel spots? Hiring a car gives you full freedom. Just remember – they drive on the left and the potholes occasionally have personalities of their own.

🗓️ When’s the Best Time to go to Antigua?

Antigua is sunshine central nearly all year, but here’s the seasonal scoop for 2026 / 2027:

• December to April – peak season, peak perfection. Think warm days (26–29°C), breezy nights, and prime beach conditions. Yes, it’s popular, but it’s popular for a reason.

• May to August – Quieter, cheaper and still glorious. This is the sweet spot if you love fewer crowds and fancy finding a hotel deal that leaves more rum money in your wallet.

• September to November – Hurricane season, but don’t panic! Storms aren’t guaranteed, and you’ll still get sunshine. Just keep an eye on the forecast and pack a raincoat with your bikini.

Top tip: Time your visit for Carnival in late July – two weeks of music, dancing, parades and feathers galore. Pure Caribbean magic.

What are the best beaches for your Antigua holidays 2026 / 2027?

First of all, rude. Asking us to choose between beaches is like asking us to choose a favourite colleague, or a favourite song. It all depends on our mood. Thankfully, we're always in the mood for a beach holiday, and this island paradise ticks all of our boxes with its 10/10 sandy spots (all 365 of 'em). If you're ready for some towel action, check out these top beaches in Antigua:

• Dickenson Bay - the gleaming example of a typical Antigua beach, with a mile-long stretch of airbrushed white sand, a ton of water sports on offer (from snorkelling to parasailing), and a bunch of swanky resorts and beach bars dotted about

• Half Moon Bay - named after its iconic crescent shape, this stretch is lined with the pink and white sands sloping into the bluest waters (no, we're not exaggerating), bringing the peaceful vibes and a top spot for snorkellers

• Jolly Beach - this place gets point for its name alone (so on-brand), with powdery-soft sands offering plenty of space for a sunbathe, and the mountainous backdrop is the perfect spot to watch the sun go down (cocktail-in-hand optional)

• Carlisle Bay - a paradise for divers, swimmers, and simple sunbathers, this place is decked out with fine white sand and clear waters full of exotic fish

• Pigeon Point Beach - a local fave with calm, clear waters perfect for youngsters, and a choice of two restaurants dishing up tasty Caribbean food right along the sand

• Ffryes Beach - a beach that stays on the quiet side, with a huge stretch of white sand and the most vivid waters you ever did see (but they can get a bit deep, so keep your eye on the little ones!)

• Galleon Beach - if you like to escape the tourism buzz, this is the beach for you. Reachable only by car or water taxi from the English Harbour, it's the perfect spot to enjoy some peace and quiet, with a shingle surface, tons of palm trees for shade, and a choice of scenic hiking trails in the area if you fancy getting some steps in

Top hotels in Antigua

Holidays to Antigua might be all about the beaches, but everyone knows you need an equally-beaut hotel to really make it a jolly to remember. Whether you're a sucker for an all inclusive concept, you're craving some five-star luxury or you're craving a spa holiday for ultimate chillaxing vibes, these top hotels in Antigua won't disappoint:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families

• Jolly Beach Resort – right on gorgeous Jolly Beach with two pools, a kids' club, Pizza Factory by the beach and the longest bar in Antigua. All-inclusive means no reaching for your wallet

• St. James's Club & Villas – sprawling resort set on its own peninsula with two beaches, six restaurants, a kids' club and enough activities to wear out even the most energetic little ones

• Blue Waters Resort and Spa – family-friendly pick with a dedicated kids' pool, three restaurants and gorgeous hillside setting overlooking the Caribbean

• Royalton Antigua – five-star all-inclusive with a kids' club, waterpark splash zone and seven restaurants. The overwater bungalows are adults-only if you fancy an upgrade

💕 For Couples

• Sandals Grande Antigua – the full Sandals experience on famous Dickenson Bay, with swim-up bars, six pools, unlimited scuba diving and butler service for that extra touch of romance

• Hammock Cove – all-inclusive adults-only with private plunge pools in every room, a terrace restaurant serving Caribbean lobster and Wagyu burgers, plus watersports galore

• Galley Bay Resort & Spa – adults-only hideaway on a private beach, with a waterfall pool, three restaurants and properly romantic vibes

• Cocos Hotel – intimate couples-only retreat with hillside cottages, hammocks on every terrace and two white-sand beaches to choose from

✨ Luxury

• Carlisle Bay Antigua – sleek five-star on the south coast with rainforest backdrop, nine tennis courts, a world-class spa and seriously swish suites

• The Inn at English Harbour – boutique luxury near Nelson's Dockyard with just 28 rooms, private beach access and the kind of understated elegance that screams 'main character energy'

💰 Great Value

• Pineapple Beach Club – adults-only all-inclusive with a choice of pools (one with a waterfall), BBQ restaurant and tons of activities included. Proper good value for couples

• The Verandah Resort – adults-only on the northeast coast within a National Park, with two beaches, four restaurants and watersports included

Holidays in Antigua  2026 / 2027 Travel Guide

👩‍❤️‍👨 Things to do in Antigua for couples

Antigua’s giving serious main-character energy when it comes to romance. Think sunset beach walks, candlelit dinners on the sand, and luxe boutique stays that feel like they were designed with honeymoons in mind (even if it’s just a cheeky week away from the kids). Fancy a boat trip? Charter a catamaran for the day and snorkel in crystal-clear coves before popping a bottle of bubbly on deck. Total movie moment.

For that extra sprinkle of romance on your couples holiday, head to Shirley Heights Lookout on a Sunday night. Steel drums, rum punch, BBQ food, and panoramic views that’ll have you proposing all over again. Or for something more chill, take a couples’ spa day at a clifftop resort – volcanic stone massages, ocean views and absolutely zero stress. That’s how you do love island vibes.

👪 Things to do in Antigua for families

Antigua is a win for family holidays – shallow beaches, relaxed resorts, and just the right amount of adventure to keep the little ones buzzing. Dickenson Bay is your go-to for calm waves and soft sand (perfect for sandcastle showdowns), while Half Moon Bay is great for more energetic explorers and bodyboarders in training.

Take the kids to Stingray City (don’t worry, it’s safe!) where they can swim with gentle stingrays in the shallows – a proper wow moment they won’t stop talking about. Then it’s time to climb aboard the Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour – zip lines, rope bridges and jungle trails through the treetops. Adventure? Sorted. And when the sun’s setting, back to the resort for poolside snacks and an early night... for them, anyway.

👯‍♂️ Things to do in Antigua for groups

Holidaying with the whole gang? Antigua’s got the group trip formula nailed. Jolly Harbour is your base for big villas, private pools, and a marina packed with bars and restaurants for the nightly meet-up. Rent a boat (or hire a captain if you're more ‘pass the Prosecco’ than 'hoist the sails') and explore the island’s secret beaches and snorkel spots.

Daytime? Try a group hike up to Mount Obama – the highest point on the island with views worth the sweaty effort – or hit up Darkwood Beach for paddleboarding, cocktail shacks and golden hour photo ops that’ll have the group chat buzzing for months. Top it all off with a catamaran sunset cruise complete with a rum bar and a reggae soundtrack. Good vibes only on your group holidays.

🍽️ Things to do in Antigua for foodies

Rum. Seafood. More rum. Antigua doesn’t mess around when it comes to food. Start your culinary journey with fresh-off-the-boat lobster at Turner’s Beach, or go full local with a plate of fungi and pepperpot – the island’s national dish (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it). Sweet tooth? You’ll love sugar cakes, tamarind balls, and fresh pineapple like you’ve never had before.

Book a spot on a foodie tour of St. John’s and taste your way through bustling markets, hole-in-the-wall takeaways and fusion restaurants serving everything from jerk chicken to gourmet roti. Want a fancy evening? Reserve a table at Sheer Rocks or Catherine’s Café, where the cocktails come with ocean views and the menus are packed with Caribbean-meets-modern bistro magic. Add a rum tasting session and you're basically in foodie heaven.

More Caribbean holidays:

• Bahamas

• Barbados

• Cuba

• Dominican Republic

• Jamaica

• St Lucia

• Tobago