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Antigua Travel Guide Discover Antigua, A Land of Many Beaches

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Welcome to Antigua, an island with 365 beaches, and possibly more. Beyond the beaches, this island caters to lovers of adventure and sunlit tranquility. Get to know more about its dynamic culture and rich history once you arrive, or even before you get there. After all, vacations on these shores are meant to satisfy every kind of wanderlust. Just a few hours’ journey from several US cities, explore the best of Antigua and embrace the warm hospitality from the all-inclusive Sandals Grande Antigua!

best of Antigua

Best things to do in Antigua Discover antigua with our resort as your home base

Get set for the ultimate all-inclusive vacation in Antigua. Make your way through the historic streets of St. John’s, set sail on crystal blue seas, and unwind on some of the best beaches in the world. Antigua’s natural beauty is undeniable, and the culture of the island, captivating. And, at Sandals Grande Antigua, you’ll have the perfect home base for all of your island explorations.

Xtreme Circumnavigation Antigua

Spend the day exploring the entire coast of Antigua with an exciting speedboat tour. Many of the island’s hidden gems will come into view along the way. You’ll also get to snorkel, swim and enjoy a tasty island lunch.

Sunset Catamaran Cruise Antigua

The only thing that can top a regular catamaran cruise in Antigua is a sunset one. Take off just before sunset and relax as the captain expertly positions the boat to watch the sun sink below the horizon. This tour includes drinks, snacks, and snorkeling.

Antigua Safari & Stingray City

Get set for an off-road safari that includes a visit to Stingray City in Antigua. This is an interactive, guided tour that includes feeding friendly southern stingrays. Refreshments will be provided.

Horseback Beach Ride Antigua

What better way to go with the flow in Antigua than with a beach horseback ride? There won’t be any reason to hurry, but instead, more than enough time to take in the coastal views. This tour is ideal for both beginners and experienced riders.

Great Bird Island Turtle & Snorkeling Experience

You’ll spot all types of marine life, including majestic sea turtles, off the coast of Great Bird Island near Antigua during this guided snorkeling excursion. Transfers and drinks are included.

Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise

A delicious seafood lunch while sailing in Antigua can be a great way to start or end a vacation. Explore the coast while making time for snorkeling, swimming, and indulging in local flavors.

Land and Sea Antigua Adventure

Explore Antigua by land and sea while getting to know more about the island’s history and culture. This tour combines a scenic island tour and a relaxing boat cruise and stops at historic sites and scenic viewpoints. Lunch is included.

Antigua Rainforest Zipline Adventure

The thrill of soaring through the rainforest in Antigua isn’t one of those things you’ll quickly forget. With expert guides on hand, this zipline adventure is exhilarating. All the gear you need will be provided.

Power 360 Cruise Antigua

Island life can be fast paced too, just like this high-speed powerboat tour. This excursion makes it possible to see the best of Antigua by boat. Snorkeling stops, beach visits, and a scrumptious lunch are included.

Antigua Rainforest Zipline & Eco-Kayak Experience

Going ziplining on its own is exciting enough, but with an eco-kayak tour, what you’ll have is the ideal mix of adrenaline and tranquility. This tour includes expert guides and all necessary equipment.

17 Mile Beach, Barabuda

Yes, it’s possible in real life. Seventeen miles of stunning coastline in the islands. You’ll need to take a ferry from Antigua to nearby Barbuda, but it’ll be well worth your time.

Prickly Pear Island

You can take a boat to Prickly Pear Island just off the coast of Antigua during your vacation. We hear the lobster salad is scrumptious, and the snorkeling is exceptional too. This island is a short boat ride from Sandals Grande Antigua.

Stingray City

In Antigua, you can snorkel with stingrays and barely give it a second thought. These are memories that will last a lifetime. Excursions are available from Sandals Resorts in Antigua.

Dickenson Bay

You won’t need anything else added to your beach day at Dickenson Bay other than what’s already there. Crystal clear waters, white sandy shores, and amazing sunsets if you stay long enough. And you can, right at the beachfront Sandals Grande Antigua.

Donkey Sanctuary

This sanctuary isn’t only home to the most adorable rescued donkeys, but there are some excitable cats and dogs that call it home too. Excursions are available from Sandals Grande Antigua.

Ffryes Beach

Sink your toes into the warm, white sands of Ffryes Beach. Jet ski through the azure waters, or dine at one of the beachside restaurants. Ffryes Beach is a 35-minute drive from Sandals Grande Antigua.

Valley Church Beach

Reflect on the good times and make new memories on the calm shores of Valley Church Beach. This beach is a 40-minute drive from Sandals Grande Antigua.

Frigate Bird Sanctuary, Barbauda

Did you know that male and female frigates are the only sea birds that look so dramatically different? Book a ferry from Antigua to Barbuda to learn more about them at the Frigate Bird Sanctuary.

Galley Bay Beach

Of Antigua’s 365 beaches, the secluded Galley Bay Beach is one of the best ones for a low-key beach day and to simply sunbathe on sun-saturated shores.

Half Moon Bay

Crescent-shaped and known for its soft, white sands and crystal-clear seas, Half Moon Bay is an impressive beach location that's a favorite of many. Excursions are available from Sandals Grande Antigua.

Darkwood Beach

Grab some drinks or simply relax in this scenic and peaceful location. If the mood strikes, hop on a jet ski to explore the coast. Darkwood Beach is a 40-minute drive from Sandals Grande Antigua.

Shirley Heights

Consider a visit to Shirley Heights if you want to enjoy some of the best panoramic views on the island of Antigua. You can book excursions to this location from Sandals Grande Antigua.

Pillars of Hercules

Not many snorkel locations in the islands have striking features like the rock formations known as the Pillars of Hercules. You can book an excursion from Sandals Grande Antigua to snorkel or scuba dive in this area.

Great Bird Island

Discover the beauty of Great Bird Island, a small island off the coast of Antigua with excellent snorkeling and hiking. Excursions are available from Sandals Grande Antigua.

Hell’s Gate Island

The rock formations along the coast may have inspired the name of this attraction. Some say it feels like a movie set. During a boat tour, you may be able to swim up to the rocks for a closer look. Excursions are available from Sandals Grande Antigua.

Dickenson Bay

Stretching about a mile across, Dickenson Bay has white, powdery shores, with the inviting blue seas beyond. This beach is a favorite for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.

Ffryes Beach

Sink your toes into the warm, white sands of Ffryes Beach. Jet ski through the azure waters, or dine at one of the beachside restaurants. Ffryes Beach is a 35-minute drive from Sandals Grande Antigua.

Valley Church Beach

The color of the ocean here is compelling, to say the least. This is a great beach if snorkeling and stand out views are what you’re after.

Half Moon Bay

Isolated, but gorgeous, Half Moon Bay is great for a day of oceanside relaxation. Snorkeling, body boarding and boogie boarding are popular here.

Darkwood Beach

The gradual drop off as you step into the warm waters of Darkwood Beach makes this beach ideal for most ages. Snorkeling can be fun here and there's beach bars as well.

Jolly Beach

Jolly Beach is lively with loads of amenities. You can enjoy a beach day here then stick around to watch the sun plunge into the ocean from a comfortable spot on shore.

Pigeon Point Beach

Located in English Harbor, the views here are stellar, and so is the snorkeling. The water here is clear and calm, and the beach is shady, with decent facilities.

Hawksbill Bay

There's a collection of beaches in this area including Royal Palm Beach, Sea Grape Beach, Honeymoon Cove, and Eden Beach. All of these beaches are secluded and are ideal for a quiet beach day.

Turner’s Beach

On the west coast of Antigua, you can spend the day at Turner’s Beach if you’re looking for a beach that is spacious, clean, and beautiful that isn’t very developed.

Runaway Bay

Horseback riding is popular on Runaway Bay, a beach known for its sandy shores and turquoise waters. There’s also some craft huts, a beach bar, and lots of trees for shade.

Best places to visit in Antigua

Which area of Antigua to go?

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Peak season

Things can get busy during the months of December to April in Antigua, as this is peak season. There are more activities happening around this time of year and the weather is usually great as well. Peak season is a good time to head to Antigua for a beach vacation, but you’ll need to book early for availability and best prices.

Shoulder season

The shoulder season in May and June is a little more low-travel than peak season, but not as quiet as low season. This is an ‘in between’ time when you can sometimes get deals on flights and accommodation. During the shoulder season, there’s usually less crowds. But, you can still expect plenty of activities happening on the island.

Low season

Antigua’s low season is from July to November. This season comes with lower travel demand which can be favorable if you’re looking for flight or accommodation deals. This time of year typically sees less crowds on the island, and more room on the beaches. For a more peaceful vacation, this can be a good time to go.

Non-stop flight service

to antigua

Get to your Antigua vacation sooner with non-stop flights from some of the major cities in North America and Europe. Fly direct to the V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) and take advantage of Sandals Resorts complimentary resort transfers. This makes it possible to get to the indulgence the moment you land!

Antigua travel tips

Dos, don’ts, and other useful information

  • LANGUAGE

    English is the official language spoken in Antigua, so it’s easy for visitors to communicate with locals.

  • CURRENCY

    The official currency of Antigua is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD). US Dollars are also widely accepted. Keep small bills handy for tips and local purchases, and pay attention to conversion rates, as this can vary.

  • ELECTRICITY

    The standard voltage for Antigua is 110V and the island uses Type A and B electrical outlets. Travel adapters are not necessary for North American visitors.

  • GETTING AROUND

    In Antigua, car rentals, taxis and public transportation are all available. Your choice will depend on which option best suits your vacation needs. Sandals Resorts guests don’t need to worry much about transportation as airport transfers are included in the booking price. Tours (including transportation) can also be arranged through our resorts.

  • TIPS AND GRATUITIES

    In Antigua, a 10 - 15% tip is the norm for good service at restaurants and bars. Tipping is not allowed at Sandals Resorts as it is included in the price of your vacation, with the exception of butlers and spa staff.

FAQs About Antigua

  • Antigua is one of the Caribbean islands with the most beaches, and this is one of the things the island is most famous for. Aside from that, the island’s rich culture and tradition as well as its colorful history are all things Antigua is known for.

  • U.S. citizens will need a valid passport to travel to Antigua. It's important to make sure that your passport will be valid for the duration of your stay. Most travelers to this island won't require a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days.

  • Antigua has a range of unique food items on offer including the island’s national dish, fungie and pepperpot. You may also want to try the seafood, tropical fruits and other local delicacies while on this island.

  • Absolutely! Antigua is a great destination to learn scuba diving, with skilled instructors and high-quality equipment available. Sandals Grande Antigua offers certified divers complimentary scuba expeditions on a daily basis.

  • Yes, beach weddings are popular, and it won’t be hard to make arrangements for a wedding in Antigua. This island is naturally beautiful, and this extends to the beach scene. Sandals Resorts offers various destination wedding packages and locations that can help make your beach wedding and honeymoon a reality.

Destinations

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